The bone surrounding the roots of the teeth is known as the alveolar ridge. A ridge augmentation is a surgical procedure performed to restore the normal height and width of the alveolar ridge after it has shrunk or diminished due to tooth loss, denture wear, or trauma. One of the primary considerations surrounding a reduced and narrowed alveolar ridge is how it might affect the placement of a dental implant or another dental prosthesis.
A ridge augmentation procedure is performed by placing bone graft material into the tooth socket immediately after a tooth has been removed or in an existing deficient area to rebuild the shape of the gums and jaw. While a dental implant may be placed during a ridge augmentation procedure, it often gets placed once sufficient healing occurs. Given time to heal, the bone graft can effectively fuse with the surrounding bone while new bone within the graft develops.
In addition to bone grafting for ridge preservation to allow successful dental implant placement, aesthetic ridge augmentation procedures can also be performed in preparation for fixed bridgework to facilitate a more cosmetically pleasing result.
During a ridge augmentation procedure, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon may place specialized membranes and biologically active materials over the grafting material to guide tissue regeneration, protect the graft, and promote healing,
