What Patients Requiring a Tooth Extraction Need to Know If They’re Considering a Dental Implant

When a tooth needs to come out, most patients focus on just getting through the procedure. But if you’re thinking about a dental implant in the future — even if it’s months or years from now — the decisions you make today can shape your long-term success.

As someone who sees patients every week looking to replace missing teeth, I can tell you - great implants start before the tooth is even removed.

That’s why I want to share what we do differently at Quay Dental when it comes to tooth extractions and a technique called ridge preservation.

Why Ridge Preservation Matters

Let’s break it down:

• After an extraction, your body naturally starts to shrink the bone where the tooth was — up to 50% volume loss in just 6 months, most of it in the first 8 weeks.

• This loss of bone can make future implants harder, more expensive, or even impossible without additional surgery.

• Ridge preservation helps maintain the bone and gum shape, so you keep your options open.

  
  

  

  
  

The Gentle, Healing-Focused Extraction Approach

At Quay Dental, we follow a 3-step method we call Healing-Optimised Tooth Removal™:

1. Planning Ahead. We start with detailed imaging and a personalised consultation. It’s not just about extracting a tooth — it’s about setting you up for the best future outcome.

2. Gentle Removal. We carefully section the tooth and remove it with minimal force. This protects the bone and reduces trauma, swelling, and the risk of dry socket.

3. Ridge Preservation. In many cases, we place a biocompatible material in the socket after removal. This supports healing and helps the bone stay strong while you decide on the next step.

Is Ridge Preservation Right for You?

If you plan to get an implant soon (within 0–2 months), you may not need ridge preservation — the implant itself helps maintain bone. However, it’s still crucial that the tooth is removed in a way that avoids unnecessary stress or trauma to the surrounding bone.

If you’re thinking about an implant later (3+ months) or just want to keep your options open, ridge preservation is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Why Acting Early Matters

Many of our patients say they just want to avoid future problems. Ridge preservation is often how we help them do that — simply, and in advance.

We sometimes meet people years later wishing they’d known this sooner. Bone loss isn’t something you feel — but it can make things harder, more expensive, or less predictable down the line. The best time to plan is now.

A Note from Experience

Many people tell us the same thing: they just want to avoid future problems and keep their options open. That’s what this approach is all about.

And from my experience — I’ve seen time and again how planning ahead makes the difference between a smooth path and a more complicated journey later.

Final Thoughts

Getting a tooth removed is more than just a procedure — it’s a turning point. With a little extra care now, you can save time, cost, and complexity later.

Want to learn more? Visit our full guide: Healing-Optimised Tooth Removal™ at Quay Dental

Want to protect your options and feel confident moving forward? Let’s talk — book a Discovery Meeting at Quay Dental today.

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