Ridge Augmentation

WHAT IS A RIDGE AUGMENTATION?

A ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost following tooth extraction, or for another reason such as an infection or an accident.

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 ORAL SURGERY ACCOMPLISHED?

A ridge augmentation is accomplished by placing bone graft material into the tooth socket or adjacent jaw areas if the tooth was previously lost. It is often done immediately after the tooth is removed which avoids the need for a second procedure later. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the socket and secured with sutures. Midtown Edmonton Periodontics may choose to use a space-maintaining product 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 socket has healed, the alveolar ridge can be prepared for dental implant placement.

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