What Is A Ridge Augmentation?
The jaw’s alveolar ridge is the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When a tooth is removed from that bone, it leaves an empty socket that will usually heal on its own, filling with bone and tissue. But if the bone surrounding the socket breaks it won’t be able to heal on its own and the socket will continue to deteriorate. A ridge augmentation is performed following an extraction to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been compromised.
Rebuilding the alveolar ridge to its original dimensions is not medically necessary, but may be required for aesthetic purposes or to replace the bone needed to accomodate a dental implant placement.
How Is The Oral Surgery Accomplished?
A ridge augmentation is accomplished by filling the tooth socket with bone graft material, often immediately after the tooth is removed. Next, gum tissue is placed over the socket and secured with sutures.
Dr. Rezvan may elect to use a space-maintaining product over the top of the graft in order to restore the height and width of the space left by tooth and bone loss, indicating the space the new bone should fill. Once the socket has healed, the alveolar ridge will be prepared for dental implants.
In Dr. Rezvan’s office, ridge augmentation procedures are performed under local anesthesia, though some patients may also request sedative medication.
