Extraction & Socket Preservation
Having an unsalvageable tooth can be quite an ordeal, but With U Dental is here to help you with extraction and socket preservation. Whilst we strive to preserve your natural tooth as much as possible with preventative and general dental solutions, there are certain instances, such as a severely damaged or infected tooth, where tooth extraction is the only available option in order to prevent infection from spreading, and ensure the health of your remaining teeth and your overall well-being.
Operating out of Hawthorn, our team of highly skilled dentists have extensive experience performing tooth extractions when necessary using pioneering pain minimisation techniques to make this process as quick and painless for you.
When a tooth is removed, it can leave a hole in the bone structure, leading to bone loss, shrinking of gums and bone, and jaw deformities. However, there is no reason to be alarmed because a socket preservation procedure can help prevent these complications and keep your smile healthy to support any future dental restorations you consider to replace this removed tooth.
What is a Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is a procedure performed to remove an unsalvageable tooth. You may need to get your tooth extracted if you have any of the following conditions:
- Severe gum disease
- Severe tooth decay
- Deep infection in a tooth
- A broken/severely cracked tooth
- Dental trauma through an injury
- An impacted wisdom tooth
In such situations, extracting your tooth will relieve pain, discomfort and further infection while improving oral and overall health.
What is Socket Preservation?
Socket preservation is a dental procedure that is performed to prevent bone loss following a tooth extraction. Also known as alveolar ridge preservation or bone grafting, this procedure involves placing a bone graft over the extraction site. It uses bone from your own body or bone substitute materials. This procedure aims to prevent your bone from shrinking and provide a stable foundation for dental restorations in the future.
Why Is Socket Preservation Necessary
A tooth extraction leaves behind an empty hole in the jawbone. Since the bone is no longer required to support the tooth, this then triggers the bone to shrink and recede rapidly, which causes changes to your facial structure. It also causes your remaining teeth to tilt, affecting the alignment of your smile. This may lead to biting issues, uneven wear and cracks that form along your teeth when chewing, and difficulties cleaning your teeth which makes you more susceptible to tooth decay.
Therefore, your dentist may recommend a socket preservation procedure to keep your bone healthy and strong, and to prevent complications such as infection or inflammation. Providing increased bone support, socket preservation will improve the success rate of any dental restorations you decide to get in the future, and also help maintain the aesthetics of your smile.
Several factors, such as the location of your extracted tooth, your oral health, and future dental plans, will influence the decision to perform this procedure. So, when you visit our dental clinic, our dentist will assess your individual dental needs and provide recommendations accordingly.
How is Extraction & Socket Preservation Performed?
At With U Dental, socket preservation is typically done right after tooth extraction. This 5-step procedure includes:
Our skilled dentists will carefully extract the damaged or infected tooth, preventing damage to surrounding tissues. Extraction may be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the complexity.
Once the tooth is removed, our dentists will clean the extraction site to remove any debris or infected tissue before shaping it to receive the bone graft.
We will then fill the socket with bone graft material to promote socket healing and maintain its shape.
The socket will be covered with a protective membrane to prevent an infection and to keep it in place before closing it with sutures.
Our dentists will provide instructions on how you can care for the surgical site. Follow-up appointments will also be scheduled to monitor the healing process and ensure proper healing.
It can take about 3 to 6 months for the grafted bone to fully integrate with the surrounding tissue and for the socket to heal properly. Our dentists will guide you every step of the way, making the way towards a smooth and fast recovery. Simply follow your dentist’s instructions, and don’t miss those follow-up appointments.
Extraction & Socket Preservation Cost in Hawthorn
The cost of extraction and socket preservation can vary according to factors such as the number of teeth to be extracted, type of bone graft material used, the complexity of the socket preservation procedure, etc. But don’t worry because we offer a range of flexible financing options and easy payment plans to make sure all our patients get access to quality dental care when they need it most.
So, if you need a tooth extracted and socket preservation performed, consult our friendly team today. We’re here to answer any questions and provide a more accurate cost estimate to help you make an informed decision.
With U Dental: your trusted Hawthorn dentist
At With U Dental, we understand that losing a tooth can be a stressful experience. That is why our friendly and experienced dental professionals are here to help you feel at ease during your dental treatment and smoothly restore your smile.
Here are a few reasons why With U Dental is the right place for all your dental needs:
- We provide personalised treatment plans
- Use of the latest technology and techniques
- Our patients are our top priority
- Experienced and skilled dental professionals
- Comfortable and welcoming environment
- Pioneering pain minimisation techniques
- Flexible payment plans