Bone Graft

When a tooth is lost, a hole is left in the bone where the tooth existed and the bone that surrounded the tooth may collapse. If an implant is desired to replace the tooth, the collapse of the bone may prevent implant placement. An allograft is freeze-dried bovine bone that can be placed into the tooth socket at the time of extraction for socket preservation. The grafting material is left within the jaw bone for several months as it integrates with surrounding bone. After osteointegration an implant can be placed into the bone so a crown can be fabricated to replace the missing tooth.