A ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction. This procedure helps recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss from 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 with bone and tissue. Sometimes when a tooth has been removed, the bone surrounding the socket breaks and is 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 always medically necessary, but may be required for dental implant placement or for aesthetic purposes. Dental implants require bone to support their structure; a ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.
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I highly recommend Riverside Oral Surgery, and specially Dr. Richer. I had two wisdom teeth extracted last Saturday, it went smoothly with no complications and I finished within 15 mins. The Staff are very nice and friendly too.
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Riverside is the 92’ dream team of Oral Surgeons. They are surely a very uniquely talented group of professionals. I was held hostage by two hideously impacted wisdom teeth. Dr. Richer and company took excellent care of me two separate procedures. I have referred friends and family here and will continue to do so. I wouldn’t even consider going elsewhere.
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Came here for wisdom teeth removal with sedation and all the staff (reception and medical team) were super nice and answered all questions/concerns I had! They were quick to get back to me when I had questions about aftercare/ the procedure itself.
How is the procedure Accomplished?
A ridge augmentation is accomplished by placing bone graft material in the tooth socket. It is often done immediately after the tooth is removed to avoid the need for a second procedure later. Next, the gum tissue is placed over the socket and secured with sutures. Our oral surgeons may choose to use a space-maintaining product over the top of the graft to facilitate new bone growth. Once the socket has healed, the alveolar ridge can be prepared for dental implant placement.
A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in our oral surgeons’ offices under local anesthesia. Some patients may also request sedative medication.
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