Ridge Augmentation

What is a Ridge Augmentation?

Ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure performed in sites that have been missing teeth for a long time.  This helps to recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone remodelling 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, an empty socket is left in the alveolar ridge bone. Usually this empty socket will heal on its own, filling with bone and tissue. However, it this area is left with no treatment for a long time, bone remodels over time and the original height and width of the socket will continue to decrease.

Rebuilding the original height and width of the alveolar ridge is not medically necessary, but reconstruction of the ridge maybe required for dental implant placement. Dental implants require adequate bone to be successful and a ridge augmentation would help rebuild this bone to accommodate implant placement.

How is the Oral Surgery Accomplished?

A ridge augmentation is accomplished by adding bone material on the bone ridge. It is done by first exposing the area in question and placing the bone substitute. A space-maintaining technique is applied with the graft placement to help restore the height and width of the space created by the lost tooth and bone loss. This allows new bone growth. Next, the gum tissue is repositioned over the exposed ridge and secured with sutures. Once the area has healed, the alveolar ridge can be prepared for dental implant placement.

A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in-office under local anesthesia. Some patients may also request sedative medication in addition.