This is the most ideal way to prevent the inevitable bone loss that happens immediately after a tooth is removed. In this cost-effective, minimally invasive procedure, bone replacement is placed into the socket at the same time of the extraction. This is done if an implant cannot be placed at the same time. A “membrane” or covering is placed over the socket to prevent gums from growing inside the socket. Four to twelve weeks later, an implant can be placed in the exact position of the tooth. 

This can also be done if a patient wants to have dental implants in the future and wants to slow the natural bone loss process.

Bone Expansion/ Bone Widening 

In severe cases, the “ridge;” where the teeth were, has been lost and a bone graft is placed to increase ridge height and/or width. This is a technique used to restore the lost bone dimension when the jaw ridge gets too thin to place conventional implants.

This bone expansion is sometimes done as a separate procedure or it may be done at the same time the implants are placed. If it is done in two stages, usually only 3-4 weeks of bone healing is all that is necessary. The implants will be placed at either the first or second stage. 

The bone graft may have to heal for a few weeks before attaching the teeth to the dental implants