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Is A Bone Graft Necessary After Tooth Extraction?

If you have recently been told that you need a tooth extracted, you may be wondering about your options to replace a missing tooth. You might be surprised to know that the best time to inquire about dental implants and other replacement options is before you have your tooth removed, not afterwards!

This is because placing a dental implant requires healthy underlying bone structure. After a tooth is extracted, an empty space called a socket remains. Without bone grafting, the socket may heal on its own, but the amount of bone in the area usually shrinks dramatically. Without enough bone, it can be difficult or impossible to place an implant in the future without additional surgery.

Are there different types of bone grafting?

There are many different types of bone grafting. The simplest form is called socket preservation, and involves filling the empty socket with particulate bone. This is usually sourced from a human donor (allograft), although synthetic or animal-based bone grafting materials are sometimes used instead.

For patients with large bone deficiencies, other types of bone grafting may be necessary. Check out the related posts here to learn more.

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Is Bone Grafting Necessary If I Don’t Want An Implant?

The short answer is no, most patients will heal naturally after an extraction, and new bone and gum tissue will form to close the socket. However, the bone height and width will usually be greatly reduced, and bone loss can have a negative effect on the teeth adjacent to the socket, sometimes leading to recession, sensitivity, and even early loss of other teeth. Therefore, bone grafting can be very beneficial, even if you’re not sure whether you want an implant in the future.

Is Bone Grafting Safe?

Some patients feel uncomfortable about receiving a bone graft. There is nothing to worry about in terms of rejection or disease transmission, as all allograft bone is rigorously tested and sterilized, so there have been no recorded cases of disease transmission. There are actually no living cells being placed in your body. Rather, the bone graft particles form a scaffold and promote the growth of your body’s own bone to replace the graft.

Understanding your treatment plan:

Your dentist may also place a material called a membrane on top of the bone graft to help protect the graft. You might see this described on your treatment plan as “guided tissue regeneration”. Other adjuncts, such as added growth factors, or PRP/PRF, may be recommended to stimulate bone growth. Learn more about PRF here

How long after bone grafting can I get an implant?

Depending on the type of grafting, it is usually necessary to wait 3-6 months before an implant can be placed. In some cases, however, an implant can be placed immediately on the day of the extraction, sometimes with the addition of bone done simultaneously. The doctor will determine if this is an appropriate approach depending on the amount of bone available, the presence of infection, and other factors.

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August 3, 2023

Types of Teeth Whitening After taking a look at the two types of staining, we'll examine different teeth whitening techniques, and the pros and cons of each. One of the most common questions I receive is, What options do I have for whitening my teeth? This post will dispel some myths and talk about which teeth whitening options I recommend. Types of Staining Teeth can become stained by coffee, wine, smoking, and even naturally occurring mouth bacteria. Surface stains, or extrinsic staining , can be removed by polishing the enamel. Professional cleaning and polishing procedures at your dentist’s office can remove much of the external staining on your teeth. Baking soda based toothpastes, such as Arm & Hammer whitening toothpaste, can be a safe way to reduce external stains at home. Other whitening toothpastes should be used with caution or alternated with a non-whitening toothpaste, as they can often be too abrasive for everyday use. Natural tooth color differs from one individual to another, and many people desire a whiter, brighter smile, feeling that their natural color is too dark or “yellowish”. Intrinsic staining can also be a factor, when stains penetrate below the surface of the enamel. Peroxide based whitening can be effective for whitening below the surface in these cases. Several options, both over-the-counter and professional, are available. Over the counter: Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional There are several brands of whitening products available over the counter, including strips, pens, and rinses. One of the most reliable products that I can recommend is Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional . These strips work the same way professional whitening does, with hydrogen peroxide. The downside is that they can be a bit difficult to keep in place on your teeth. I don’t recommend purchasing products that come with a blue light, as this has not been proven to improve whitening. In-Office Whitening Many patients are under the impression that teeth can be dramatically whitened in a single visit with special lights and equipment. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true. Zoom, one of the most popular whitening brands, has popularized this procedure. While we do offer one-hour, in-office Zoom whitening, I only recommend this for patients in a hurry that want to get a quick boost to their smile. Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays This is the whitening method I recommend most often. After we take an impression of your teeth, a custom whitening tray is fabricated to give you the perfect fit. You can then use professional strength whitening gel to whiten at your own pace at home. Different strengths are available, as patients with more sensitive teeth may benefit from a slower whitening process with a lower strength gel. One thing to be aware of is that the numerical percentage printed on your gel cartridge does NOT tell the whole story. Peroxide comes in two forms, carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide is about three times more concentrated than carbamide peroxide, so make sure to ask your dentist about the proper contact time for the specific gel you are using.

At Wave Dental, your safety, health, comfort, and ease-of-mind are the top priorities. You will feel welcome and find that all of your needs are met or exceeded.