Ridge Augmentation
If you have experienced tooth loss, facial trauma, or advanced gum disease, the jawbone that once supported your teeth often shrinks or recedes. This process of bone deterioration leaves a gap or indentation and can make your jaw too thin or too short to support permanent tooth replacements like dental implants or dentures.
At Oral & Facial Surgery of Pittsburgh, our board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons specialize in ridge augmentation surgery. This advanced reconstructive procedure meticulously rebuilds lost jawbone, restoring its size and natural contour to create a stable, successful foundation for your new smile.
What is a ridge augmentation?
A ridge augmentation is a specialized oral surgery procedure used to rebuild and reshape the jawbone where a tooth has been lost. It is often described as jawbone “remodeling,” as the goal is to restore the original height, width, and natural contour of the jaw’s supporting bone (the alveolar ridge).
During the procedure, specialized bone graft material is carefully placed into the deficient area to act as a scaffold, encouraging the body to grow new, healthy bone. The gum tissue is then securely closed with sutures, often with a protective membrane placed over the graft to ensure proper healing and successful integration with your existing jawbone.
This procedure is essential for creating a strong, natural foundation for your replacement teeth:
- Preparing for Dental Implants: If the jawbone has shrunk and is too narrow or too short due to bone loss, the augmentation increases the bone dimension, which is required for a dental implant to be stable long-term.
- Improving Fit for Dentures and Bridges: It ensures the gumline is smooth and evenly contoured. This prevents a visible indentation beneath a fixed dental bridge and allows dentures to fit securely and comfortably, avoiding rocking or slipping.
- Restoring Aesthetics: By rebuilding lost bone, the procedure eliminates the “caved-in” or sunken look that often occurs in the gums after tooth loss, ensuring the final restoration looks completely natural and seamless.
This procedure is typically performed in our Wexford or Monroeville offices and can be done under local anesthesia or with sedation. For maximum comfort, patients often request sedation, which we are licensed and equipped to provide.
RIDGE AUGMENTATION TECHNIQUES
The complexity of your bone loss determines the type of specialized ridge augmentation technique required. Our surgeons utilize advanced 3D imaging (CBCT) to plan the exact geometry of your reconstruction.
To achieve these precise results, our surgeons use specific bone grafting materials and advanced techniques:
- Socket Preservation (Preventive): This is performed immediately after a tooth extraction. By filling the empty socket with bone material and covering it with a barrier, we prevent the ridge from collapsing. This is the most common form of augmentation.
- Horizontal Augmentation: This technique addresses jawbone that is too narrow. Grafting material is placed along the side of the ridge to increase its width, allowing for the placement of a standard-sized dental implant.
- Vertical Augmentation: This is used when the jaw is too short to support a full-length implant. This is a more complex procedure that adds height to the ridge, often utilizing membranes or specialized materials to guide the new bone growth.
- Ridge Split/Expansion: This advanced, minimally invasive technique may be used in certain cases where the bone is narrow. Our surgeons gently divide the top of the ridge and expand it, placing graft material in the newly created space.
Why Choose OFS Pittsburgh for Your Ridge Reconstruction?
While some general dentists or periodontists may perform minor grafting, ridge augmentation is a complex reconstructive surgery best handled by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS).
Drs. Bauer, Norbutt, and Humberger are highly specialized OMS doctors who offer unmatched expertise in jaw reconstruction:
- Advanced Surgical Training: Our surgeons have completed 4–6 years of rigorous, hospital-based surgical residency after dental school. This advanced training is extremely important for success when performing a ridge augmentation surgery.
- Maximum Accuracy and Safety: We use state-of-the-art 3D imaging to precisely measure the area where bone is missing. This detailed planning ensures the reconstruction is performed with maximum accuracy, leading to a more predictable final result and a lower risk of complications.
- Successful Treatment for Challenging Cases: Our advanced surgical training allows us to successfully rebuild even the most challenging areas of bone loss.
- Total Comfort and Safety: We hold the highest level of certification to provide a full range of safe, monitored sedation and general anesthesia options right here in our office for your complete comfort.
- Comprehensive Care: Seamless, Start-to-Finish Surgical Care: We manage your entire experience right here in our office—from the imaging and the surgery, all the way through to placing your dental implants and coordinating the final teeth with the restoring dentist. This means you have a single treatment team ensuring smoother coordination, and giving you confidence that one team understands your entire treatment history.
Choosing OFS Pittsburgh means choosing specialists trained at the highest level to deliver the most predictable and successful outcome for your jawbone health.
What to Expect After Surgery
A period of healing is required to allow the graft material to fully integrate and become your own strong, viable bone.
Initial Recovery
You may experience mild swelling and discomfort for the first few days, which is managed effectively with prescription and over-the-counter medication. It is essential to follow all post-operative instructions, including adhering to a soft diet and avoiding strenuous activity.
Healing Timeline
The new bone will fully mature over several months. This critical healing phase typically takes between 4 to 9 months, depending on the extent of your reconstruction and your body’s natural healing process. Our team will monitor your progress closely to determine the ideal time to proceed with your dental implant placement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a ridge augmentation be performed at the same time as a tooth extraction?
Yes, ridge augmentation is often performed immediately after an extraction to preserve the bone; this is known as socket preservation.
Does my insurance cover ridge augmentation?
Coverage varies greatly depending on your medical and dental insurance plans. We will work with your insurance provider to determine the best option for you. We also offer various financing options; please review our Financial Policy or contact our business office for more information.
How soon can I return to work after the surgery?
Most patients feel well enough to return to light work or normal activity within 1-3 days. We recommend limiting strenuous activity and heavy lifting for one week.
Book an Appointment
Contact us to schedule your consultation with one of our specialists.
