Tooth loss

In the United States alone, thousands of teeth are extracted annually, pimarily because of decay, severe periodontal disease, infection, or trauma. The jaw bone that supports the teeth, "alveolar bone", which is generally soft and vascular, often melts away or resorbs following tooth removal. Such bone resorption can result in significant cosmetic or functional defects, including loss of surrounding gum tissue.

Following removal of the tooth a specially bioengineered graft material that helps support bone formation is often placed within the extraction socket. This bone graft material, with structure similar to human bone, not only supports new bone growth but also has been shown to preserve bone and overlying soft tissue following tooth removal. The graft material is then covered with a natural fiber material, collagen, to protect both the graft and newly forming bone as well as to help support and help guide new soft tissue growth.