What is Ridge Augmentation?

When you lose one or more teeth, a small indention in your gums and jawbone will form where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. This indentation can sometimes cause a replacement tooth to look too long or too thick compared to the adjacent teeth. 

Furthermore, when a tooth is removed, it leaves behind an empty socket in this bone. Typically, this empty socket will heal on its own, filling in with bone and tissue. Sometimes the walls of the socket are thin and break during tooth removal, or were missing before the procedure. Bone typically will continue to be lost at this site, because there is no tooth to retain the bone.

Ridge augmentation is a procedure that recaptures the natural contour of your gums and jaw. We then can create a new tooth can that is natural-looking and easy-to-clean. If you are looking to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, then ridge augmentation might be needed. Dental implants require a certain amount of bone to support the base of the implant. We will determine the best solution for you during your consultation. We will be able to look at your x-rays and see if you need a ridge augmentation. If you are looking to get a tooth extracted or replace any missing teeth, schedule an appointment with us today!