What you should know before you have a tooth removed
Tooth loss causes the jawbone to recede, and can lead to an unnatural looking indentation in your gums, jaw, and an appearance of a general aging. Unless you plan ahead, the original look of your mouth may not be recaptured because of spaces that form under and between replacement teeth.
The bone surrounding your teeth exists solely to support your teeth. As soon as a tooth is removed, this bone begins to degenerate and "melt away." The overlying gum tissue thins out and flattens creating an indentation. This occurs in two dimensions, width & height. You can loose up to 80% of this bone within 2 years of tooth loss. This process is faster in areas where you wear a partial or complete denture.
If your tooth needs removal, Dr. Wolf will use gentle, controlled force to protect the thin bone surrounding your tooth root. He will also place a Bone Graft in the root socket to preserve your jawbone, minimize bone collapse and prevent unsightly indentations of the gum. This makes more aesthetic tooth replacement options possible including Dental Implants. If you have one or more teeth removed, whether it be due to tooth decay, fracture, abscess, gum disease or traumatic injury, placing a bone graft is recommended to preserve as much of your underlying jawbone as possible.
After your procedure, bed rest is recommended for one day and limited physical activity for 2-3 days to allow the gum to heal and minimize bleeding. You may feel sore, in the area of surgery, for a few days. Pain is not usually reported by our patients. Following post operative instructions is critical for success and for a positive experience.