Ridge Augmentation

Jacks Oral Surgery & Dental Implants – Piqua & Dayton OH

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 due to bone loss as a result of a tooth extraction, or for another reason.

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 or jawbone 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 in the tooth socket. It is often done immediately after the tooth is removed, to avoid the need for a second procedure later. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the socket and secured with sutures. Dr. Jacks 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.

Other times the ridge augmentation is completed by placing the bone graft on the jaw area that is lacking the proper amount of bone to place a dental implant.  Sometimes the patients own bone is used and other times a bone graft from other sources is used.  The various techniques are reviewed with the patient on a case by case basis prior to completing the surgery.  The goal is to use the simplest and most predictable technique for each case. Dr. Jacks will spend much time reviewing the various treatment options with each patient.  The ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in Dr. Jacks‘s office under local anesthesia. Some patients may request intravenous sedation.