Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that uses transplanted bone to repair and rebuild diseased or damaged bones. A bone graft is a choice for repairing bones almost anywhere in your body. Your surgeon might take bone from your hips, legs, or ribs to perform the graft.
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. Without proper bone grafting, some patients are not candidates for the placement of dental implants.
We now have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.
The bone graft procedures are referred to as:
• Sinus lift procedure
• Ridge augmentation (bone grafting)
• Socket preservation (ridge preservation) technique
WHAT IS A RIDGE AUGMENTATION?
A ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss as a result of a 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 is removed, the bone surrounding the socket 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 medically necessary, but may be required for dental implant placement, or for aesthetic purposes.
Dental implants require bone to support their structure, and a ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.
A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in Dr. Padhye’s clinic under local anesthesia. Some patients may also request sedative medication in addition.
What happens after a bone grafting procedure-
Over time, the graft material grows into (fuses with) nearby bone tissue. This process can take anywhere from several weeks or up to a year. The length of your recovery depends on the size and location of the bone graft. Other factors include your age and overall health status.
What is a Ridge Augmentation?
A ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction to help recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss as a result of a tooth extraction, or for another reason.