Preserving Your Jawbone Using Ridge Augmentation
Preserving Your Jawbone Using Ridge Augmentation
Tinton Falls, NJ
Jawbone loss is one of the several reasons why you may not be an ideal candidate for a dental implant procedure. Moreover, while it is possible to regenerate the lost bone tissue using bone grafting surgery, the procedure and the recovery period can take long long time. Therefore, you will have to wait for quite a considerable period – possibly months – before you can get your new shiny teeth. However, what if you could prevent the jawbone loss before it happens? At Premier Periodontics and Implant Dentistry we help you to preserve your jawbone following a tooth extraction procedure, thus ensuring you are ready for implant placement when the time comes. We do this using a ridge augmentation procedure.
What Is Ridge Augmentation?
Ridge augmentation is a process in which the natural shape of the gum is restored after a tooth has been extracted. The procedure involves placing a bone graft material on the jawbone, in the space left behind by the extracted tooth. The graft grows new tissue that fills up the tooth socket, while also stimulating the existing jawbone tissue to prevent atrophy.
The ridge augmentation procedure is usually done on the same day the tooth is removed to avoid the need for a separate surgery. It is recommended for patients who are considering getting implants at a later date. However, dental implants can also be inserted immediately following the ridge augmentation procedure - for patients with healthy gums and jawbone.
The Ridge Augmentation Process
Immediately following the tooth extraction, the bone grafting material is placed in the tooth socket. The graft material can be harvested from your body or a cadaver source. However, in some cases, the grafting material may be synthetic, which is treated with substances that can speed up the healing process.
After placing the graft material, the gum tissue surrounding the surgical site is stitched up to secure it. A space-maintaining substance on top of the graft to assist in re-establishing the exact size of the socket formed by the real tooth.
Benefits Of Ridge Augmentation
• Regrowth of jaw bone - when the procedure is done, the tooth socket will be restored to its normal shape, and this will give the bone a chance to re-grow in this space.
• Reshaping of the jaw bone - when the sutures are set, they are put in a way that encourages the shape of the bone to revert to how it used to be.
After Care And Recovery Following Ridge Augmentation
• After the procedure, we will prescribe medication that will help you manage the pain that is caused by the surgery.
• The area of the augmentation will be sore for a few weeks before it heals completely. During this period, it is advised not to irritate it by consuming hot foods and drinks, poking the wound, or aggressively brushing the area.
• Since the ride augmentation is a surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection if the wound is not properly cared for. Therefore, good oral hygiene is required during the recovery period to ensure proper healing.
After the augmentation wounds are healed, your jawbone will be ready for implant placement. If you are considering tooth extraction, getting a ridge augmentation procedure afterward is a great idea. Call us, Premier Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, at (732) 982-7988 to find out more about this procedure and how it can help you.