Ridge & Socket Preservation
Ridge Socket Preservation is a specialized dental service provided by the board-certified specialists at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. Bone grafting at the time of extraction preserves your jaw for future implants — and it only works if done early.
The Bone You Lose After Extraction Does Not Come Back on Its Own
The moment a tooth is extracted, the clock starts on bone resorption. Within the first three months, the buccal (cheek-side) plate of bone — which is often paper-thin to begin with — loses 40 to 60 percent of its width. By six months, you may have lost enough bone volume to make implant placement difficult, more expensive, or impossible without a secondary grafting procedure. Ridge and socket preservation is a straightforward bone grafting technique performed at the time of extraction that prevents this predictable bone loss. At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, Dr. Ostovar performs socket preservation as a routine component of every extraction where implant placement is planned or even possible in the future.
The procedure is simple in concept but demands surgical precision. After the tooth is carefully removed — atraumatically, with minimal disruption to the surrounding bone walls — Dr. Ostovar or Dr. Gvozden places a particulate bone graft material into the empty socket. This graft serves as a scaffold that supports the blood clot, attracts osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), and prevents the socket walls from collapsing inward. A collagen membrane is placed over the graft to contain it and protect it during the critical early healing phase. In many cases, we also apply platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) derived from your own blood, which delivers concentrated growth factors directly to the graft site and accelerates healing by 40 to 60 percent.
Socket preservation adds approximately 15 minutes to an extraction appointment and is performed under the same anesthesia. Healing takes three to four months, during which the graft remodels into your own living bone. When we re-enter the site for implant placement, we consistently find dense, well-vascularized bone with adequate width and height — the foundation that a successful implant requires. The alternative — extracting without grafting and returning later for a more extensive ridge augmentation — costs more, takes longer, and involves a second surgical site. Planning ahead at the time of extraction is simply better medicine.
Serving Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro & Washington County
Aloha Dental Specialty Center is located at 18455 SW Alexander St, Suite A, in Beaverton, Or 97003egon. We serve patients from across the Tualatin Valley and greater Portland metro, including Aloha, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. Our Beaverton office is a 5-minute drive from Aloha, 10 minutes from Hillsboro, and 15 minutes from Tigard via SW 185th Avenue.
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Intel Campuses (Ronler Acres & Jones Farm)
10 to 15 minutes via NW 185th Ave. We accommodate the schedules of tech professionals who need efficient, high-quality specialty care.
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Nike World Headquarters
About 8 minutes via SW Baseline Rd. We frequently see patients from the Nike campus for surgical and implant procedures with sedation options.
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Streets of Tanasbourne & Orenco Station
Easily accessible via US-26 and NW 185th. Local general dentists in these communities regularly refer patients to us for specialty procedures.
Why Local Dentists Refer to Us
We work as a trusted partner to general dentists throughout the Tualatin Valley. When cases require CBCT-guided planning, IV sedation, bone grafting, or other advanced procedures, local providers refer to Dr. Ostovar for his fellowship-trained expertise and predictable results.
We handle the complex surgical phases and coordinate closely with your general dentist for smooth continuity of care from start to finish.
Understanding Your Investment
At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, we provide transparent pricing before any treatment begins. The cost of your procedure depends on clinical complexity, materials used, and sedation requirements. We walk you through every line item during your consultation so there are no surprises.
What Affects Cost:
- Clinical Complexity: Bone loss, sinus proximity, nerve involvement, or the need for grafting affects treatment planning and surgical time.
- Materials: We use research-backed implant systems, purified bone graft matrices, and high-strength ceramics from established manufacturers.
- Sedation: Options range from local anesthesia to IV sedation, each with different associated costs. We discuss the best option for your comfort and procedure.
Insurance & Financing
We accept most major dental insurance plans and file claims on your behalf. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment and submits pre-treatment estimates with clinical documentation to maximize coverage.
For out-of-pocket costs, we partner with CareCredit and Cherry for flexible payment plans. We also offer our ADSC Dental Savings Plan for patients without insurance.
Recovery & Healing Timeline
Understanding the healing process helps you plan ahead and follow post-operative instructions for the best possible outcome.
First 48 Hours
Mild swelling and tenderness are normal. Apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals and take prescribed or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Eat soft foods and avoid the surgical site when chewing.
Days 3 to 7
Swelling peaks around day three and then improves. The tissue begins closing over the surgical site. Continue with soft foods and use any prescribed antimicrobial rinse. Most patients return to normal activities during this phase.
Long-Term Healing
Surface tissue heals within two to three weeks. Bone integration and deep healing continue for three to six months. Avoid smoking, follow up as scheduled, and maintain good oral hygiene throughout recovery.
Questions during recovery? Call us at (503) 822-0096. We are available for post-operative concerns.
Bone Biology After Tooth Extraction: Why Socket Grafting Works
A landmark study by Schropp and colleagues published in the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry documented that extraction sockets lose an average of 50 percent of their buccolingual width within 12 months, with the majority of resorption occurring in the first three months. The buccal plate, composed primarily of bundle bone that depends on the periodontal ligament for its blood supply, resorbs almost entirely when its vascular source is removed. Socket preservation with particulate bone graft and a barrier membrane has been shown in multiple randomized controlled trials to reduce horizontal bone loss by 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters compared to unassisted healing. A systematic review in Clinical Oral Implants Research confirmed that preserved sockets are 2.5 times more likely to support implant placement without secondary augmentation procedures.
Why Choose a Specialist?
Dr. Merat Ostovar has placed thousands of bone grafts throughout his 15-year career, including socket preservation grafts, guided bone regeneration procedures, and sinus augmentations. As a prosthodontist and ICOI Fellow, he approaches every extraction with the future restoration in mind — not just the immediate surgical goal. His training in both surgical placement and prosthetic design ensures that grafted sites are bestly shaped for the planned implant position, not just generically preserved. Dr. Gvozden collaborates on complex extraction cases involving impacted or multi-rooted teeth where atraumatic removal is critical to preserving the buccal plate.
Your Ridge Socket Preservation Treatment Steps
- Consultation & Exam: Comprehensive ridge socket preservation evaluation with CBCT 3D imaging at our Beaverton office.
- Treatment Plan: Board-certified specialist discusses your ridge socket preservation options, timeline, and costs. Our procedures maintain a 95%+ success rate, backed by advanced 3D imaging and evidence-based protocols.
- Treatment: Procedure performed with comfort options including sedation if needed.
- Follow-Up: Post-treatment monitoring and care coordination for best healing.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Book a consultation with our board-certified specialists at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. Call (503) 822-0096 Office hours: Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 2 PM. or request an appointment online.
Related Services at Aloha Dental Specialty Center:
Dental Implants · Oral Surgery · Root Canal · Invisalign · Periodontics · Pediatric · TMJ Treatment · Sedation · Cosmetic · Emergency · Sleep Apnea
A Note from Your Dental Team
In my experience, the patients who get the best results from ridge socket preservation are those who come in with realistic expectations and follow their post-treatment instructions carefully. I’d rather spend extra time explaining what to expect than have a patient be surprised later.
“Every patient I see has a different story, a different set of concerns, and a different definition of what ‘success’ looks like. That’s why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment plans. When you come in for a consultation, I’ll listen first, examine second, and recommend third.
I also won’t recommend a procedure you don’t need. If your tooth can be saved with a filling instead of a crown, I’ll tell you that. If watchful waiting is appropriate, I’ll explain why. My job isn’t to sell treatment — it’s to give you my honest clinical judgment so you can make an informed decision.
If you have questions about whether this treatment is right for you, or if you’ve been told you need this procedure by another dentist and want a second opinion, call us at (503) 822-0096. We’re happy to take the time to explain everything — no rush, no pressure.”
— Dr. Merat Ostovar & Dr. Jovan Gvozden | Aloha Dental Specialty Center, Beaverton, OR
I know many patients feel anxious about dental procedures — you’re not alone in that. What I hear most often after treatment is: “That was so much easier than I expected.” We’re here to make this as comfortable as possible for you.
Typical Healing Timeline:
Days 1-3: Initial healing, mild swelling managed with ice and medication. Days 4-7: Swelling subsides, gradual return to normal diet. Weeks 2-4: Soft tissue heals completely. Months 2-6: Bone remodeling and full integration (for surgical procedures). Individual recovery varies — we provide detailed post-op instructions specific to your procedure.
For additional clinical information, visit the American Dental Association (ADA).
Last reviewed by our dental specialists: March 2026. Clinical information on this page reflects current evidence-based dental practices.
Related Dental Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is socket preservation and why does it matter?
Socket preservation is a bone grafting procedure performed immediately after a tooth is extracted. It fills the empty socket with bone graft material to prevent the jawbone from collapsing and shrinking. This matters because bone loss after extraction can make future implant placement difficult or impossible without additional, more extensive surgery.
What type of bone graft material do you use?
We primarily use freeze-dried human bone allograft (FDBA) from accredited tissue banks for socket preservation. This material has an extensive safety record and provides an excellent scaffold for your body's own bone-forming cells. In some cases, we use a combination of allograft and xenograft (bovine-derived) materials depending on the clinical situation.
Is the bone graft material safe?
Human bone allograft from accredited tissue banks undergoes rigorous screening, processing, and sterilization. The risk of disease transmission is estimated at less than one in 1.6 million — statistically negligible. Bovine-derived xenograft materials are processed to remove all organic components, leaving only the mineral scaffold. Both materials have decades of clinical track record.
What happens to jaw bone after a tooth is extracted without preservation?
Without socket preservation, the extraction site loses approximately 40-60% of its bone width in the first year and continues to resorb over time. This bone loss can make future implant placement difficult or impossible without extensive bone grafting surgery. The cost of socket preservation at extraction time (0-0) is far less than the cost of ridge augmentation later (,000-,000).
How long does the graft take to heal?
Socket grafts typically require three to four months to mature into bone dense enough for implant placement. We confirm readiness with a CBCT scan before scheduling implant surgery. In some cases, earlier placement at eight to ten weeks is possible if initial bone density is favorable.
What happens if I skip socket preservation?
The extraction socket will heal, but the bone will resorb significantly — particularly the thin buccal plate. Within three to six months, you may lose 40 to 60 percent of the ridge width. If you later decide on an implant, you will likely need a more extensive and costly ridge augmentation procedure.
Can socket preservation be done with any extraction?
In most cases, yes. It is particularly important for teeth in the aesthetic zone (front teeth) and for any site where an implant is planned. The only contraindication is active, uncontrolled infection that prevents primary soft tissue closure — though even in these cases, we can often stage the grafting at a short follow-up visit.
Can ridge preservation be done at the same time as tooth extraction?
Yes — and this is the ideal approach. We place bone graft material into the empty socket immediately after extraction, cover it with a collagen membrane, and suture the site. This prevents the rapid bone loss that begins within days of extraction. The graft heals over 3-4 months, maintaining bone volume for implant placement.
What is PRF and how does it help the bone graft?
PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is a concentrated preparation of growth factors derived from a small sample of your own blood. We spin the blood in a centrifuge for 12 minutes, producing a fibrin membrane rich in platelets, leukocytes, and growth factors. Placed over or mixed with the bone graft, PRF accelerates healing, reduces post-operative pain and swelling, and improves soft tissue closure over the graft site.
Do I need socket preservation for wisdom tooth extractions?
Generally no. Wisdom tooth sites are far back in the jaw and are not typically candidates for implant placement. The bone resorbs without functional consequence. Exceptions exist for patients who lose a second molar and want to keep the wisdom tooth site available for future restoration options.
Can I get an implant at the same time as the extraction instead of grafting?
Immediate implant placement at the time of extraction is ideal when conditions allow — adequate bone around the socket, no active infection, and favorable anatomy. Dr. Ostovar evaluates each case on CBCT and places immediate implants whenever the evidence supports it. When conditions are not best, socket preservation followed by delayed implant placement produces more predictable results.
What is the difference between socket preservation and ridge augmentation?
Socket preservation is a preventive graft placed at the time of extraction to maintain existing bone. Ridge augmentation is a reconstructive procedure performed months or years after extraction to rebuild bone that has already been lost. Socket preservation is simpler, faster, less expensive, and more predictable. Ridge augmentation is a fallback when preservation was not performed.
Will I have a gap in my smile while the graft heals?
For front teeth, yes — the socket needs time to heal before an implant and crown can be placed. We offer temporary solutions including a flipper (removable partial denture) or an essix retainer with a tooth on it so you are never without a tooth in your smile zone during the healing period.
Can I eat normally after socket preservation?
Soft foods are recommended for the first three to five days. Avoid chewing directly on the grafted site for two weeks. Hot liquids and straws should be avoided for 48 hours. After the initial healing period, most patients return to a normal diet. We provide detailed written post-operative instructions and a direct phone line for questions.
How do you know the graft was successful?
At three to four months post-grafting, we take a CBCT scan of the grafted site. This three-dimensional image reveals bone density, ridge width, and ridge height — confirming whether the site is ready for implant placement. In our experience, socket preservation grafts achieve adequate bone volume for implant placement in over 95 percent of cases.
Facing a Tooth Extraction? Call (503) 822-0096 to Plan Your Socket Preservation
Call our Beaverton office or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you.
Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD
Doctor of Dental Medicine | Implant & Specialty Dentistry | 15+ Years Experience
Aloha Dental Specialty Center — Serving Aloha, Beaverton, Hillsboro & Greater Portland
Last updated: March 19, 2026