OsteoGen Bone Grafts for Socket Preservation
By Ultradent Products, Inc. | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: Product Reviews
Learn how OsteoGen bone grafts simplify socket preservation after extraction. This guide covers when to choose plugs vs strips and what to expect during healing.
Quick answer
For straightforward socket preservation after a single-rooted extraction, OsteoGen plugs offer the simplest placement. Choose strips when you need to contour the graft around multi-rooted sites or irregular defects.
Why socket preservation matters
After a tooth extraction, the surrounding bone naturally resorbs, shrinking the ridge and making future implant placement more difficult. Socket preservation fills the void with a bone graft material that maintains the socket dimensions and supports new bone formation.
OsteoGen bone grafts are a pre-formed option—no mixing or packing of particulate graft is required. This can save chair time and reduce the chance of graft displacement during placement.
Plugs vs. strips: when each fits
OsteoGen plugs are shaped to fit directly into a fresh extraction socket. They work best for single-rooted teeth (incisors, canines, premolars) where the socket is relatively uniform. The plug fills the void and can be covered with a collagen membrane if needed.
OsteoGen strips are more flexible and can be trimmed or layered to fill multi-rooted sites (molars) or defects with irregular geometry. They also work well when you need to build up a deficient ridge wall before placing the graft.
Limitations to consider
OsteoGen is a synthetic hydroxyapatite graft. It is osteoconductive, meaning it provides a scaffold for bone growth but does not actively stimulate new bone formation the way some allografts or growth-factor-enhanced materials might. For large defects or patients with compromised healing, a different graft type may be more appropriate.
The catalog facts do not specify particle size or resorption rate. If a fast-resorbing or particulate graft is required for your technique, OsteoGen plugs and strips may not match that need.
Decision rules for choosing OsteoGen plugs vs. strips
- Single-rooted socket: Choose the OsteoGen plug. It fits the socket directly and requires minimal trimming. Place it so it sits just below the gingival margin, then cover with a membrane if desired. Plug is the simpler option for incisors, canines, and premolars.
- Multi-rooted or irregular socket: Choose the OsteoGen strip. Trim it to match the defect shape and layer as needed. The strip can be folded or stacked to build contour in molar sites or where the buccal plate is missing. Strip offers more flexibility for complex socket anatomy.
- Healing time expectation: OsteoGen is a non-resorbable hydroxyapatite. The graft material remains in place and becomes integrated with new bone over several months. Plan for 4–6 months before implant placement, but confirm with a radiograph. Non-resorbable graft means the material stays; integration takes longer than with some resorbable alternatives.
Product facts
- OsteoGen® Bone Grafts-Dental Bone Grafting Plugs and Strips: OsteoGen Plugs and Strips by Impladent offer easy placement—no membrane or particulate mixing/packing required. This simplifies the socket preservation procedure, reducing both preparation time and the risk of graft material migrating out of the site.
OsteoGen® Bone Grafts-Dental Bone Grafting Plugs and Strips
Who should use OsteoGen for socket preservation
Best for
- Clinicians who want a pre-formed, no-mix graft for routine single-rooted extractions
- Situations where a non-resorbable synthetic scaffold is acceptable and the patient has good healing potential
Not ideal for
- Large osseous defects where an osteoinductive or resorbable graft is preferred
- Patients with compromised healing who may benefit from a growth-factor-enhanced or allograft material
