As with a sinus lift, ridge augmentation is performed when there’s not enough bone in the area to anchor a dental implant. But rather than having to lift your sinus, your periodontist will add a bone graft to the ridge of your jaw - also called the alveolar ridge. You may have acquired an uneven alveolar ridge if you had a tooth extracted and no new bone formed following the surgery or from another medical reason that caused you to lose bone.

 

This surgery is similar to a sinus augmentation. The following explains how it’s performed.

 

You periodontist will numb the area up with local anesthetic. He’ll then use a scalpel to make a small incision on your gums and gently pull them back to access the defective area. 

 

Next, he’ll take bone grafting material - either bovine, cadaver, or synthetic - and moisten it with anesthetic or saline solution. It’ll then be packed into the space where bone is required to develop. A membrane, either resorbable or nonresorbable, is usually placed over the graft material to help maintain space for the bone. Sometimes small titanium retention screws or tacks are used to help stabilize the membrane.

 

Once the area is filled, your periodontist will stitch your gums tightly back together and rinse the treated area with saline solution. You’ll have to make a follow up appointment in about a week to remove the stitches if dissolvable sutures weren’t used. You’ll periodontist will also want you to come back a couple times in the months to come to check your healing. The treated area should be ready for a dental implant in about six to 12 months.

 

Do you need a ridge augmentation? Schedule your appointment with us today.