Protecting against bone loss for socket preservation

Your teeth are only as strong as the jawbone that anchors them. When the bone is dense and full, your teeth are extremely durable and stable, with remarkable bite force. When bone is lacking, there will be risks of tooth loss. Unfortunately, the problem is also a vicious circle: Having one or more missing teeth will actually cause jawbone loss. To avoid this, and keep all methods of restoration viable, measures to preserve your bone should be taken urgently when teeth are extracted or lost to decay, disease or injury. At Campbell Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we offer bone-saving Socket Preservation treatment for this express purpose.

Dr. William Campbell is the leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and dental implant specialist in the Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL metro region. He will make a thorough assessment of your jawbone using advanced diagnostic tools like our in-office 3D cone-beam CT scanner. In no time, he will have an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive plan for methods of preservation or restoration, as needed. We recommend Socket Preservation to all of our tooth extraction patients. In many instances at the same time as removal, but always promptly.

If you have one or more missing teeth or need to have damaged teeth removed, plan for Socket Preservation to protect your oral health. If you are already experiencing the effects of bone loss, bone grafting can restore what’s missing. If you have any questions or concerns about preservation, grafts or methods of tooth replacement, please contact our office. Any member of our helpful staff will be happy to speak with you.

The Link Between Missing Teeth and Jawbone Loss

Your mouth is efficiently designed for handling its two most important functions: eating and speaking. Not only can your mouth generate remarkable bite force, your teeth are actually healthier from the pressure chewing creates. The reason is because the jawbone is stimulated by the stress that radiates from the tooth roots while biting, chewing and talking. The bone responds to the pressure by remaining dense, strong and full.

When one or more teeth are missing, the lack of root stimulation will cause the body to retract the dormant bone tissue. This reclamation process is known as resorption. The hollow appearance you commonly see in people with missing teeth is due to jawbone loss and the subsequent deterioration of the facial structures. Dr. Campbell can prevent this problem with Socket Preservation or reverse the effects with bone grafting.

Dental Implants Prevent Jawbone Loss

The development of dental implants is one the most significant modern breakthroughs in Oral and Maxillofacial care. Implants allow Dr. Campbell to replace a missing, damaged or diseased tooth with a permanent substitute that’s nearly as strong and durable as a real tooth and looks remarkably lifelike. The power and stability of implants comes from placing a titanium post in the jaw bone to fuse, a process called “osseointegration.” An artificial tooth (the “crown”) is anchored below the gumline by the highly biocompatible titanium post (the “implant”). These two parts are joined by an abutment, the final element of a dental implant.

A significant advantage of replacing missing teeth with implants is the prevention of jawbone loss. Because implants are set directly into the jaw, they provide the same stimulation a natural tooth root would. The pressure generated by chewing, talking and other activities keeps the bone strong and dense. As a result, your face will remain full and healthy looking with implant therapy. No other tooth replacement method offers this crucial benefit.

We see patients with a variety of dental implant needs. Some have one missing tooth that a single dental implant will replace. Others with multiple missing teeth require a dental implant bridge. Patients who need all their teeth replaced are treated with an All-on-4 or All-on-6 implant, the best way to restore a full arch of teeth.

Contact Campbell Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center to schedule a dental implant consultation. Dr. Campbell will assess your needs and create a personalized treatment plan to restore your oral health. Your estimated out-of-pocket cost will be provided at this time. After checking with your insurance company, we can give you a firm price.