alveolar ridge preservation: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview
alveolar ridge preservation is a dental procedure performed after a tooth is removed to help maintain the shape and volume of the jawbone at that site. In plain terms, it is “socket preservation” meant to reduce the normal bone shrinkage that happens after extraction. It is commonly used when an implant may be placed later, or when keeping the ridge contour supports appearance and fit of a bridge or denture. It typically involves placing a grafting material (and often a barrier membrane) into the extraction socket to support healing.