What is Socket Preservation?
The overall goal of the entire dental industry begins with saving your natural teeth and replacing any missing teeth. During your dental exam, however, we may identify a tooth that cannot be saved or other teeth that are damaged and require removal. Extracting teeth could be necessary because of an infection or bone loss caused by periodontal, or gum disease.
The bone that secures the tooth in place, the socket, is quite often damaged by gum disease or an infection causing the shrinkage of the bone when the tooth is removed. This shrinkage of your socket can create significant irregularities in the gum tissue where the tooth previously was. This can challenge restorations with implants, fixed bridges, or removable dentures making them difficult to achieve.
Nothing but absolute perfection is acceptable at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. The entire staff focuses on a warm, patient, and caring experience for your dental care. Every day, every appointment, every procedure, the team concentrates on earning and maintaining your trust. We are proud to collaborate with you and your family, and each team member participates in continuing education to always apply the recent innovative technological advancements in the dental industry. Whether it is a regular checkup exam or a procedure for Socket Prevention, simply call us at Rock Hill - (803) 324-8141 or Charlotte - (704) 275-3750, and schedule your appointment today. You can easily find us at 1144 India Hook Rd., #D, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F, Charlotte, NC 28226.
Following a tooth extraction, the jawbone in the immediate area of that tooth will begin to shrink. The shrinkage is rapid over the first year after the extraction. 60% of the original width and 40% of the original height of the bone can be quickly lost during this brief period. Restoration of the lost tooth with a dental implant might be impossible or impractical if the socket is left untreated. Socket preservation is a simple procedure that can be completed after a tooth extraction. It is performed at the time of a dental extraction to prepare the site for a future restoration.
eddy periodontics & implant dentistry
Our Highly Skilled & Compassionate Team
Our team, led by Dr. Nelson Eddy, a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, and his son, Dr. Joseph Eddy, combines decades of experience with advanced training to provide exceptional care for every patient.
The Benefits of Socket Preservation
Socket preservation promotes a healthy recovery after a tooth extraction, but it also does more:
- Cosmetic Benefits – If a tooth socket is not preserved after an extraction, the jawbone will naturally begin to atrophy, causing permanent aesthetic changes to your facial composition.
- Dental Implants – All dental restorations require solid gum and jawbone support. Socket preservation allows for a wider variety of tooth replacement options to choose from.
Research has now proven that gum disease is associated with other diseases. For quite some time it was believed that bacteria were the factor linking periodontal disease to other diseases in your body. More recent research confirms that inflammation can be responsible for this association. Letting Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry treat gum inflammation will not only help control gum disease but may also help with the control of other chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Diabetes and Periodontal Disease- If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop gum disease, which will then increase blood sugar and complications. Having diabetes, you are more likely to have gum disease than those without because by having diabetes you are more susceptible to contracting infections. Research has proven that the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease goes both ways, periodontal disease might make it more difficult for you having diabetes to control your blood sugar.
Severe gum disease can increase your blood sugar, contributing to your body functioning with high blood sugar. This puts you at increased risk for diabetic complications.
- Heart Disease and Periodontal Disease- Studies have also proven that gum disease is associated with heart disease. While the cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, research has suggested that gum disease will increase the risk of heart disease. Scientists believe that inflammation from gum disease is responsible for the association. Gum disease can also accelerate existing heart conditions. Additional studies have also established a relationship between gum disease and stroke.
- Other Systematic Diseases and Periodontal Disease- A link has also been identified between jawbone loss and osteoporosis. Studies also say that osteoporosis will lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth is decreased, which means your teeth will lose their solid foundation. Bacteria that grow in the mouth can also be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially if you have gum disease. Research has stated that men with gum disease are 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to contract pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.
The Socket Preservation Procedure
This technique involves careful tooth extraction by your team at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to prevent damage to the surrounding bone, and then immediately filling the empty socket with bone grafting material. Often, we add a biocompatible barrier membrane to prevent the soft tissue from filling the space before bone can form. We then close the gum tissue over the bone graft and the barrier membrane. This proactive treatment allows Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to both control and minimize shrinkage after extraction.
With time both the bone graft and barrier membrane are resorbed by your body. Before this happens, they promote the natural ability to repair itself by regenerating lost bone and tissue. It often takes four to six months before the regenerated bone is dense enough for the successful placement of an implant. Sometimes we can provide a temporary restoration at the same time the tooth is extracted and then the socket is preserved to maximize your comfort, aesthetics, and functionality.
Bone Grafting
When teeth are extracted or oral cysts are removed, the underlying jawbone can deteriorate. This can result in a sunken facial appearance and make dental implant placement more difficult. A bone graft is a straightforward procedure that promotes the growth of new bone cells, helping to restore your oral health and prepare you for further treatments.
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Sedation Dentistry
Patient comfort is a top priority for us. To ensure your procedure is both safe and pain-free, we offer various sedation options. Depending on the specifics of your procedure, we may recommend nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation. We hope these options provide you with peace of mind as you prepare for your treatment.
We Offer A
Variety Of Services For All Your Needs
At Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our goal is to give each patient personalized attention, taking the time to thoroughly understand their needs and concerns. We offer detailed evaluations and comprehensive care to ensure our patients leave feeling positive and in excellent oral health. Explore the treatments we offer to learn more.
Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry Earns Your Trust with Our Warm and Caring Focus
Our team is methodical in our approach, concentrating on your well-being through your procedure and your daily life. We appreciate the anxiety and apprehension that often comes with dental care, and therefore we take the time and effort necessary to make you comfortable throughout. Call us today at Rock Hill - (803) 324-8141 or Charlotte - (704) 275-3750 with any questions you may have or to schedule a Dental Implant restoration, and we look forward to seeing you at 1144 India Hook Rd., #D, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F, Charlotte, NC 28226.