Q: I had a consultation with a periodontist and I will be extracting the infected tooth soon. I have not been prescribed anything for the infection and he has not mentioned anything about the bone graft being done at a later date. I’m curious how other professionals proceed in this type of situation. I had a perforation that resulted in some bone loss and a pimple on my gums which I’m guessing is an infection. I will be getting an implant once it all heals.
A: We usually bone graft all of our extraction sockets at time of extraction. The use of the ND/YAG laser has changed the dynamics of the healing time frame and the quality of the bone. We use techniques that keep the tissue instead of removing all the tissue as we were taught in dental school. This approach with the laser has changed the dynamics of surgery.
