Ridge augmentation is a dental surgical procedure designed to rebuild and restore the bone structure in the jaw where it has been lost, often due to tooth extraction, periodontal disease, or trauma. The procedure involves adding bone graft material either from the patient's body, a donor source, or synthetic materials into the bone loss area, which helps promote new bone growth. Ridge augmentation is crucial for creating a stable foundation for future dental implants and improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the jawline. The benefits of ridge augmentation include enhanced support for dental implants, improved oral function and bite stability, prevention of further bone loss, and a more natural-looking smile, ultimately leading to increased patient confidence and satisfaction with their dental health.
Why is Ridge Augmentation Necessary?
Insufficient Bone for Dental Implants
One primary reason for ridge augmentation is to provide adequate bone volume for the successful placement of dental implants. Dental implants require a stable and sufficient amount of bone to anchor securely. The surrounding bone can deteriorate when a tooth is lost, leading to insufficient bone volume. Ridge augmentation restores the bone structure, ensuring enough support for implants to be placed effectively and function properly.
Aesthetic Improvement
Bone loss in the jaw can lead to noticeable changes in facial appearance, including a sunken or collapsed look. This can affect self-esteem and overall facial aesthetics. By restoring the natural contour of the alveolar ridge through ridge augmentation, patients can achieve a more youthful and natural appearance, improving their overall facial profile.
Maintenance of Oral Function
The jawbone's integrity is essential for proper oral function, including chewing, speaking, and biting. Bone loss can compromise these functions, making eating and speaking difficult. Ridge augmentation restores the necessary bone structure to support proper oral function, allowing patients to enjoy a full range of activities without discomfort or difficulty.
Support for Adjacent Teeth
Maintaining the alveolar ridge also supports the health of adjacent teeth. Bone loss can lead to shifting of neighboring teeth, bite misalignment, and further dental complications. By restoring the ridge, ridge augmentation helps maintain the alignment of the remaining teeth and prevents additional dental issues.
Preparation for Future Restorative Work
Ridge augmentation provides the necessary foundation for patients planning to undergo further restorative dental work, such as implant-supported dentures or bridges. This procedure ensures that future dental restorations can be securely placed and function optimally by rebuilding the bone structure. Contact us today to learn more.
How Does Ridge Augmentation Work?
Ridge augmentation in Lexington, KY, is a dental procedure aimed at rebuilding the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to tooth extraction, trauma, or bone loss. This procedure is essential for patients who require dental implants but do not have sufficient bone density to support them. The ridge augmentation process begins with a thorough assessment by the dental professional. During this phase, the oral facial surgeon will take detailed images, such as X-rays or CT scans, to evaluate the extent of bone loss and determine the areas that need augmentation. This planning stage is crucial to ensure that the procedure is tailored to the patient's unique needs and that the augmentation will provide a stable foundation for future dental implants.
Before the ridge augmentation, the treatment area must be prepared. If any remaining damaged or infected teeth are present, they will be extracted. The site will also be cleaned thoroughly to remove debris or infection. In some cases, the oral facial surgeon may need to reshape the jawbone to create a suitable environment for the bone graft. This preparation ensures that the graft material will integrate appropriately with the existing bone.
The core of the ridge augmentation procedure involves placing graft material into the area where bone loss has occurred. The graft material can come from various sources, including the patient's bone (autograft), a donor (allograft), synthetic materials, or animal sources (xenograft). The choice of graft material depends on several factors, including the extent of augmentation needed and the patient's specific situation.
Once the graft material is selected, the oral facial surgeon carefully places it into the jawbone area that needs augmentation. This is done under local anesthesia, and sedation may be used if necessary to ensure patient comfort. The graft material is shaped and contoured to match the natural ridge of the jaw, ensuring that it blends seamlessly with the existing bone structure.
After the graft material is placed, the gum tissue is sutured closed over the graft, and the healing begins. This phase, known as osseointegration, is critical for the success of the ridge augmentation. Over several months, the graft material will integrate with the natural bone, creating a solid and stable ridge supporting dental implants. The oral facial surgeon will monitor the healing process through follow-up visits and imaging to ensure that the bone is developing correctly and that there are no complications.
Once the healing process is complete and the graft fully integrates with the jawbone, the site will be reassessed to determine if it is ready for dental implants. If the augmentation has been successful, the oral facial surgeon in Richmond, KY, can proceed with the implant placement. The newly augmented ridge provides a stable and robust foundation for the implants, ensuring their longevity and functionality.
Ridge augmentation is vital for patients who have experienced bone loss in the jaw and are seeking dental implants or wish to restore their oral health. Visit Kentucky Oral Surgery (KCOMS) at 3159 Beaumont Centre Circle Suite 110, Lexington, KY 40513, 2424 Sir Barton Way, Lexington, KY 40509, or 4097 Atwood Dr, Richmond, KY 40475 to schedule a consultation and find out how ridge augmentation can help you achieve a healthier, more confident smile. You can schedule an appointment online or call us at (859) 278-9376, (859) 207-4790 or (859) 623-7711.