“Are bone grafts necessary after a tooth extraction?”
I am a 39 year old male. I want to know if bone grafts are necessary after a tooth extraction?
13 Answers
Not always. It is completely up to each person. If you are wanting to plan for a future implant or denture/partial it is highly recommended to keep the bone at level that can support these things.
Bone grafts are not necessary after a tooth is extracted but is highly recommended because when a tooth is extracted you immediately lose about 40% of the bone. By placing a bone graft, you are preserving the jaw bone/ridge for future restorations.
If you plan on getting an implant to replace the tooth, it is highly recommended. If you have no plan on ever considering an implant then it is not needed.
Are bone grafts necessary after tooth extraction? Great question. The answer is: "It depends." Without a graft, the gum and bone will shrink and collapse. Are you planning an implant?Then you might need one. Will the space be in an esthetic area, like the front of your mouth? Again, it may pay to have it grafted. No tooth replacement and in the back of your mouth?Maybe not necessary. I would speak with a dentist if you don't already have one to get his or her opinion.
Hope this helps.
Steven Chamish, DDS
Hope this helps.
Steven Chamish, DDS
Absolutely not.
No unless you are planning on getting an implant soon
No, they are not necessary. But if you want to place an implant to replace the tooth, it may be needed. There are other situations where it might be a good idea, but ask your dentist for details about your particular situation.
If you plan to have an implant, you are much better off having the area bone grafted. It will prevent your bone from resorbing/shrinking. If your bone shrinks too much, you may not be a candidate for implant placement in the future.
Without knowing the circumstances under which your extraction occurs, and what the future of the extraction site is, I suggest you discuss this with your American Dental Association dentist.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
It's typically necessary if you are going to get an implant or denture in the future. Bone shrinks when a tooth is removed. And it's necessary to replace the tooth or teeth with something to distribute the load when chewing. Otherwise, you'll lose more teeth in the future because less teeth cannot handle the load it requires when chewing, unless you plan on eating yogurt and soup the rest of you life :)
The research is pretty clear that bone grafts do allow for better long term prognosis of the area and will help allow for an implant placement later. Having said that is it absolutely necessary, only the examining dentist can tell you that for sure.
Highly recommended to preserve bone density
At your age, tooth extraction area will be filled with new bone naturally. Some occasion: accelerate healing and/or placing an implant, bone graft may be beneficial.
