Ridge Augmentation, Cupertino CA
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 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 mostly with soft-tissue, instead of bone. 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 tooth socket. It is often done immediately after the extraction of a tooth, in order to avoid the need for a second procedure later. Subsequently, the gum tissue is placed over the socket and typically secured with resorbable sutures. In some special circumstances we are even able to place the implant at the same time as the tooth extraction. This is what most people refer to as “single-stage” implant placement.
Dr. Massoomi may choose to ridge augment the site or place an implant during the surgery. This is all dependent on the height, width and quality of the bone that is left after the extraction of a tooth. This is why it is so critical to remove an infected tooth. The longer the infection lingers inside the jaw bone, the more bone that is destroyed, leading to additional procedures, such as bone grafting, to bring back the needed bone.
A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in Dr. Massoomi’s office under local anesthesia with IV sedation.
Ready to Improve Your Smile?
Dr. Massoomi practices a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from jaw surgery to wisdom tooth removal.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!