The bone that holds a tooth in place is called the alveolar bone and it can be damaged or resorb naturally after a tooth is extracted.
The purpose of socket grafting is to preserve the alveolar ridge after extraction, making sure there is an adequate foundation of bone for implant placement. This can involve the use of bone powder or bone powder substitute and the socket being covered with a biocompatible barrier to facilitate your body’s regeneration of lost bone and tissue.
Bone is usually allowed to mature for two to three months before implant placement is performed.