Ridge Augmentation

What is a Ridge Augmentation?

Ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed to restore the normal contour of the jaw bone and gum in areas where defects exist.

When a tooth is removed an empty socket is created in the jaw bone (aveolar ridge).  Usually this empty socket will heal on its own by filling in with bone and being covered by soft tissue. Sometimes however, there is significant destruction to the alveolar housing upon extraction and the wound heals with a defect. These areas can continue to remodel and a significant deformity may exist.

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 procedure can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.

How is the Procedure Accomplished?

A ridge augmentation is accomplished by placing bone graft material in the tooth socket.  This is often done immediately following tooth is removal to avoid the need for a second procedure.  A membrane may be placed over the graft and the gumd sutured to close the wound.  Dr. Benedon 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 Dr. Benedon’s office with local anesthesia.

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