What is a Ridge Augmentation?
A ridge augmentation is a common procedure often performed in the area of a missing tooth or teeth 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. The previous height and width of the socket will continue to deteriorate over time because, without the tooth in place, there is no longer any stimulation for bone maintenance.
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 when there is insufficient bone, an implant cannot be placed successfully. A ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.
How is Ridge Augmentation Accomplished?
A ridge augmentation is accomplished by placing bone graft material in the area of deficient bone. There are several ways of performing this procedure, from . Next, the gum tissue is placed over the site and secured with sutures. Dr. Farbod may choose to use a membrane over the top of the graft to help restore the height and width of the space created by the tooth and bone loss, and into which new bone should grow. Once the areahas healed, the alveolar ridge can be prepared for dental implant placement.
A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in the office under local anesthesia. Some patients may also request IV sedation or nitrous oxide in addition, to help make the procedure more relaxing.