Bone, Tissue Rengeneration
Ridge Augmentation Procedure
Dr. Maddux Discusses Why A Ridge Augmentation Procedure May Benefit You
What Is A Ridge Augmentation Procedure?
Ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure that can be carried out after tooth extraction. It helps to re-create jawbone that may have been lost due to tooth extraction, wisdom tooth extraction or disease.
The jawbone consists of a special type of bone called alveolar bone, and the alveolar ridge surrounds the roots of teeth. When a tooth is removed then an empty socket remains in the alveolar ridge, and this will generally heal naturally, filling up with new jawbone and gum tissue.
However, sometimes the alveolar ridge is too fragile and thin to heal properly on its own, and will continue to lose bone, and the height and width of the alveolar ridge will gradually decrease. This can create problems with facial appearance, and could affect any future dental implants.
Dr. Maddux Discusses Why A Ridge Augmentation Procedure May Benefit You
Ridge Augmentation
Supports Dental Implants
Dental implants require a certain amount of healthy and strong bone surrounding them, and a ridge augmentation will help rebuild the alveolar ridge and support the implant.
A ridge augmentation can be carried out immediately after the tooth is removed through placing bone graft material in the empty tooth socket. Afterwards the gum tissue is secured over the socket and graft with stitches.
Ridge augmentations generally need to be left to heal and mature for between six and 12 months before the dental implants can be placed, although sometimes the implant will be placed at the same time as the ridge augmentation.
A soft tissue ridge augmentation can also be carried out and replaces lost gum tissue, ensuring the alveolar ridge has the correct contours to provide good aesthetic results once the implant has been finished.
What Is The Recovery Period For
Guided Tissue Regeneration?
We will provide full postoperative instructions, and we may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication.
Dr. Maddux will provide you with full postoperative instructions, and he may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication.
Limiting physical activity for the few days following your surgery will help minimize bleeding and aid healing. If necessary, we can provide you with a temporary bridge or other prosthesis to be used during healing.
Once the alveolar ridge has healed, the graft should be strong enough for dental implant support or other restoration.
