HOW DOES RIDGE AUGMENTATION WORK?
When teeth are lost or removed, the height of the alveolar ridge decreases, leading to worsening overall gum health and appearance. Ridge augmentation rebuilds the original structure of the alveolar ridge to create a sturdy foundation for the placement of dental implants. Ideally, this procedure is performed before bone density loss occurs. When ridge augmentation is performed immediately after a tooth is lost or removed, patients can significantly reduce the risk of jawbone loss. However, it can also help reverse the effects of bone density loss after it has occurred. Ridge augmentation combines traditional dental bone grafting with ridge restoration to rebuild bone and accommodate dental implants.
During ridge augmentation, bone grafting material is placed in the empty tooth socket to replace the lost jawbone density. After the new jawbone has fused with the natural bone structure, patients return to the office to undergo any refinements to the shape and size of the ridge and to begin the dental implant procedure.