Hearing that you need a tooth extraction can feel overwhelming—but sometimes it’s the healthiest decision you can make for your smile. Whether it’s due to decay, infection, or crowding, removing a damaged tooth can relieve pain, protect surrounding teeth, and restore your oral health.
But what happens after the tooth is gone? That’s where bone grafting comes in—an important step in preserving your jaw’s strength and setting the stage for future treatments like dental implants.
At Bella Smile, we believe in planning for your smile’s future, not just addressing the immediate issue. That’s why we often recommend bone grafting at the time of extraction.
Why Bone Health Matters After an Extraction
Your teeth do more than help you chew—they also help keep your jawbone strong. When a tooth is lost, the bone underneath it no longer gets the stimulation it needs from chewing. Over time, that area of the jaw can shrink and weaken, a process known as bone resorption.
This bone loss doesn’t just affect your jaw’s health—it can also change your facial structure, make it harder to get a dental implant later, and even affect how your dentures fit.
By adding bone graft material right after an extraction, we help preserve the area and give your jaw the strength it needs for the future.
What Is a Bone Graft?
A bone graft is a simple procedure in which we place special grafting material into the socket where your tooth was removed. This material acts as a scaffold, encouraging your body to grow new, healthy bone over time.
Bone grafts are:
✔ Safe and routine – common in modern dentistry.
✔ Comfortable – done under the same anesthesia as your extraction.
✔ Preventive – they protect your long-term oral health.
Why It’s Best to Do It at the Time of Extraction
While it’s possible to place a bone graft later, doing it at the time of extraction has clear advantages:
- Prevents bone loss immediately instead of trying to reverse it later.
- Reduces overall healing time if you plan to get an implant.
- Avoids a second surgery—one visit, one recovery period.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery
Following aftercare instructions is key to getting the best results from your extraction and bone graft:
✔ Rest and avoid strenuous activity for the first 24–48 hours.
✔ Don’t smoke—it can slow healing.
✔ Stick to soft foods until we say you’re ready for more.
✔ Keep the area clean and follow our rinsing instructions.
✔ Come to all follow-up appointments so we can monitor healing.
At Bella Smile, our goal is to help you protect your smile from the ground up—literally. Whether you need a tooth removed, want to prevent future bone loss, or are planning for a dental implant, we’ll walk you through every option so you feel informed and confident.
Let’s protect your smile from the ground up—schedule your consultation today.