Ridge Augmentation Tacoma & Gig Harbor

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, or other reasons.

Removal of teeth is sometimes necessary because of pain, infection, bone loss or fractures. The bone that holds the tooth in place (the socket) is often damaged by disease and/or infection resulting in deformities of the jaw after the tooth has been extracted. In addition, when teeth are extracted, the surrounding bone and gums can shrink and recede very quickly after the extraction resulting in unsightly defects and collapse of the lips, and cheeks.

These jaw defects can create major problems in performing restorative dentistry whether your treatment involves dental implants, bridges or dentures. Jaw deformities can be repaired by a procedure called ridge augmentation.

How is the ridge augmentation procedure done?

This procedure is done through soft tissue augmentation and bone augmentation where indicated. Augmentations are often done immediately after a tooth/teeth is removed, to avoid the need for a second procedure.

When bone is utilized for the augmentation we may place 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. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the site and secured with sutures. Once the site has healed, the ridge can be prepared for dental implant placement.