Ridge Augmentation

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, infection 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 it 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 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 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 area. An incision is made and the gum tissue is lifted away from the jaw bone. Often the patient’s own bone is then harvested from the back of the jaw or chin area and it is secured to the defect using tiny screws that will be removed at a later date. Donor bone may also be added. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the site and secured with sutures. Dr. Merlo  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 area has healed, the site will be reevaluated for dental implant placement.

A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in Dr. Merlo‘s  office under local or IV anesthesia.