What Happens to the Bone After a Tooth Is Removed?
When a tooth is extracted, your jawbone begins a process of change that often goes unnoticed—until it impacts your oral health. At Olive Tree Dental Care, we believe in educating our patients about every step of their care. One of the most important topics to understand after an extraction is bone loss.
Why Does Bone Loss Happen?
Your jawbone needs stimulation from tooth roots to stay strong. When a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone loses its purpose. Without the mechanical pressure from chewing, the bone begins to shrink—a process called resorption. This can begin within weeks and continue for months or even years.
How Much Bone Is Typically Lost?
In the first year after extraction, studies show you can lose up to 25% of the bone’s width. The vertical height also diminishes over time, leading to sunken facial contours, shifting teeth, and difficulty with future restorations like implants or dentures.
Bone Loss and Implant Placement
Dental implants rely on strong, healthy bone for support—just like natural teeth. If too much bone is lost after an extraction, placing an implant becomes more complex or may not be possible without additional grafting. That’s why we often recommend socket preservation—a bone graft placed at the time of extraction—to maintain bone structure and keep your options open for future implant placement. Planning ahead protects your smile and can simplify treatment later on.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Bone Loss?
At Olive Tree Dental Care, we often recommend a socket preservation graft immediately after extraction. This involves filling the space with bone graft material and sealing it with a membrane to support natural healing and maintain bone volume.
Why Does This Matter?
Bone loss isn’t just cosmetic. It affects your bite, the stability of neighboring teeth, and your eligibility for future dental restorations. Preserving bone early gives you more options for a long-lasting, natural-looking smile.
Thinking About an Extraction? Let’s Plan Ahead.
If you’re facing a tooth extraction, we’ll walk you through every step—before and after—to protect your health and your smile. Call us at 📞 (941) 732-0503 or schedule online at olivetree.dental to learn more.
🫒 Olive Tree Dental Care — Compassionate care, lasting confidence.
