What is a Ridge Augmentation?
Ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jawbone that may have been lost due to changes as a result of a tooth extraction.
The alveolar ridge of the jaw is the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When a tooth is removed, the bone surrounding the socket resorbs (shrinks), leaving a void or an indentation in the jaw bone. The previous height and width of the socket will continue to shrink and over time, this can become very thin especially if there are medical complications that affect healing. Ridge augmentation can be a solution for this complication in the shrinkage of the bone.
What are the benefits of Ridge Augmentation?
Ridge augmentation can be used to prepare an area for dental implants as well as a tooth supported bridge. Without modification of the ridge, dental implants to replace the missing teeth may not be possible. If a tooth bridge is made, without ridge augmentation, food can get trapped under the bridge, aesthetic problems can occur, and speech can be affected thereby compromising the longevity and service of the bridge.
Rebuilding the original height and width of the alveolar ridge is not medically necessary, but may be required for dental implant placement, for aesthetic purposes, or for proper fit of a denture. Dental implants require bone to support their structure and ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.
How is the Ridge Augmentation Surgery Accomplished?
Ridge augmentation is accomplished by placing bone graft material onto the defects in the alveolar ridge of the jaw. This is covered by a specific membrane to maintain the bone graft and aid in its healing. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the area and secured with sutures. Drs. Ira and Lori may choose to use a space-maintaining product over the top of the graft to help restore the height and width of the space that was previously occupied by the tooth and bone. This procedure allows new bone to grow restoring what was lost and creating a platform for a restoration. Once the ridge has healed, it can be prepared for dental restoration like a dental implant.
1st Image thin bone following extraction
2nd image bone augmentation
3rd image – newly formed bone
A ridge augmentation procedure can be performed under local anesthetic, however, medication to help you relax is available.