Ridge Augmentation

WHAT IS A RIDGE AUGMENTATION?

A ridge augmentation is a surgical procedure often performed following a tooth extraction, prior to implant placement, to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss as a result of a tooth extraction, or for another reason.

The alveolar ridge of the jaw is the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When a tooth is removed, an empty socket is left in the alveolar ridge bone. Usually this empty socket will heal on its own, filling with bone and tissue. Sometimes when a tooth is removed, the bone surrounding the socket breaks, and it unable to heal on its own. The previous height and width of the socket will continue to deteriorate.

Rebuilding the original height and width of the alveolar ridge is not medically necessary, but may be required for dental implant placement, or for aesthetic purposes. Dental implants require bone to support their structure, and a ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.

 

How is the Hard Tissue Augmentation Accomplished?

A ridge augmentation is accomplished by placing bone graft material in the area where an implant is needed/planned. The healing phase, prior to implant placement, is an average of 6 months.