- Bone loss begins immediately. The jawbone begins resorbing within weeks of tooth loss. Waiting 6–12 months typically means measurable bone loss that may require a bone graft before an implant can be placed — adding cost and time to your treatment.
- Adjacent teeth drift. The teeth on either side of a gap begin to tilt toward the empty space over time. This can complicate implant placement geometry and may require orthodontic correction before or alongside implant treatment.
- Costs don't decrease. Implant fees rarely decrease over time, and the addition of bone grafting — which becomes more likely the longer you wait — adds significantly to the total investment. Patients who act promptly after extraction typically spend less overall.
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Socket preservation grafts placed immediately after extraction cost significantly less than ridge augmentation required after years of bone loss. Timing matters.