Ridge Augmentation El PasoRidge Augmentation provided by Bruce Gopin, DDS, MS in El Paso, TX According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR-NIH), at least two percent of adults between the ages of 20 to 64 years of age no longer have any teeth on their gums. While this may seem like a small number, the possibility of losing all of your ability to chew, talk, or smile at any age can still be quite distressing. For these patients, dental implants can let you do these activities once more. When the very bones where your implants should go are no longer there, upgrades in technology have provided the possibility to fix this issue. The good news is that at Bruce Gopin, DDS, MS we can help solve that problem with the help of a ridge augmentation. What is a Ridge Augmentation and What Are Reasons You May Need One?A ridge augmentation is a common dental surgery that is typically done after tooth extraction. It helps assist in restoring the natural curve of the gums and jaw that could have been lost from bone loss, as a result of the tooth extraction, or other reasons. The bone surrounding the roots of teeth is referred to as the alveolar ridge of the jaw. After a tooth is extracted, the alveolar ridge bone is left with an empty socket. This open socket will usually heal on its own, with bone and tissue filling it in. Sometimes, when a tooth is extracted, the bone that surrounds the socket may shatter and fail to recover on its own. The former height and width of the socket will continue to diminish. Procedure of Ridge AugmentationThe placement of bone graft material in the tooth socket is used to increase the ridge. It is usually done right after the tooth is extracted to avoid the need for a second treatment. After that, a membrane is placed over the socket, and stitches are used to secure it. We may apply a space-maintaining substance over the graft to assist and restore the height and width of the space produced by tooth and bone loss, into which new bone should develop. The alveolar ridge can be prepared for dental implant surgery once the socket has healed.  The Alveolar RidgeThe process of ridge augmentation involves the bony layer underneath the gums called the alveolar ridge. This layer supports the teeth above it, keeping it upright and with the help of the gums. When a tooth above it is removed, the portion of the alveolar ridge below it shrinks until it disappears. Dental implants are installed on this layer because it is both tough enough to be latched onto and shallow enough to have this done with minimal cuts. Socket Grafting and Horizontal Ridge PreservationWhen doing ridge augmentation, we usually prefer to do socket grafts instead of horizontal ridge preservation. Socket grafts are done by inserting a small piece of bone grafting tissue on the alveolar ridge right after we remove the tooth. This serves as a tougher foundation for the dental implant we would install once the graft has settled into the bone. Usually, we would wait four to six months before doing just that. The other name for socket grafting is vertical ridge preservation. Meanwhile, horizontal ridge preservation is only done when there are too many missing teeth. The process here is similar to socket grafting. Instead of vertical grafts, however, we would apply a strip of bone grafting tissue in the alveolar ridge, instead. Further, it also takes about the same amount of time for the grafting tissue here to settle. Both methods have their own best uses. However, we do recommend a socket graft whenever you plan to have a denture after an extraction. On the other hand, some of our alveolar ridge patients tend to have few to no teeth. This makes horizontal bone grafts a more viable option for them. When the Alveolar Ridge ShrinksRidge augmentation does have a major drawback: it only works when there is an alveolar ridge to augment. When this has shrunk to the point where we can no longer use it, we can still install them in the jawbones which are usually tougher but require more specialized equipment to do. The techniques we use may be different in this case, but all of them will lead to giving you a significantly fresh smile.  Benefits of Ridge AugmentationRidge augmentation is a treatment used to replace missing bone or gum tissue that often occurs after a tooth is removed or falls out. The surgery assists in the reconstruction of a natural bone and gum ridge so that a replacement tooth can be structurally supported and have a better aesthetic look. If teeth are replaced in regions where there is insufficient bone density, the new area will not appear normal or cosmetically acceptable. Tooth replacement solutions boost stability for long-term function and health by reshaping bone support. Those who have had dental implant therapy, dental bridges, or other tooth replacement procedures can benefit from the surgery. Our dental team uses innovative technology to produce a naturally shaped patch of bone that resembles what you perceive when you smile. The appearance of dark, uneven shapes surrounding the teeth can be caused by poor bone contouring. You may have noticed an area like this before in someone who has a dental bridge, but not enough healthy bone support in the area where the artificial tooth is inserted in the middle of the bridge. Bone augmentation would improve the appearance of this area, making it look more natural and preventing food from becoming stuck between the bridge and the gums. Ridge Augmentation AftercareDepending on the severity of your situation, the recovery time following ridge augmentation surgery can vary greatly among individuals. The bone can finish growing and repairing in as little as a few weeks or as long as a year. Due to the healing process varying so much, it is crucial to discuss your specific recovery plan before you have the surgery done. You should choose a soft food diet after the ridge augmentation, gradually reintroducing harder foods as your healing proceeds. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking or drinking liquids through a straw for the first week or so after the treatment to avoid putting too much pressure on the site. Once you have completely recovered, you are required to continue practicing good oral hygiene routines such as brushing and flossing daily and scheduling regular visits with us. If you want us to check your alveolar ridge for a possible ridge augmentation, then please visit us at Bruce Gopin, DDS, MS or give us a call at 915-213-3455 to schedule an appointment today! |
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Bruce Gopin, DDS, MS
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