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 due to bone loss from a tooth extraction, or for another reason.
Why Is Ridge Augmentation Needed?
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 is 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 may be necessary if you are planning to get dental implants. Dental implants require a certain amount of bone for proper placement. Without enough bone, implants cannot be placed. Ridge augmentation can also improve the aesthetics of your smile, especially if you are getting a dental bridge.
How Is Ridge Augmentation Performed?
Ridge augmentation is usually performed in a dental office under local anesthesia. Following a tooth extraction, Dr. Butura will fill the empty tooth socket with bone or a bone substitute to rebuild the height and width of the alveolar ridge. The gum tissue is then placed over the socket and secured with sutures.
Depending on your individual needs, the bone graft will be left to heal for several months before implants are placed. During this time, the graft will become part of your natural bone. The length of time needed for the graft to heal will depend on the size of the graft.
Bone Graft Materials
The bone used in a ridge augmentation can come from your own body (autograft), from a donor (allograft), from an animal source (xenograft), or be a synthetic material (alloplast). Dr. Butura will discuss which option is best for your specific situation.
Autograft
Bone taken from your own body. The gold standard — highest success rate.
Allograft
Processed donor bone from a human tissue bank. Eliminates the need for a second surgical site.
Xenograft
Processed bovine (cow) bone. Widely used and highly biocompatible.
Alloplast
Synthetic bone substitute. Eliminates donor site concerns entirely.
Would You Like to Learn More About Ridge Augmentation?
If you have experienced bone loss due to tooth extraction or other reasons, ridge augmentation may be the solution to restore your jawbone and prepare it for dental implants. Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Butura.