Ridge Augmentation and Expansion
If you have missing teeth, dental implants are the most natural-looking, functional and effective way to replace them. However, not everyone has a healthy enough jaw to support them. There is a bone ridge on your upper and lower jawbones that is essential for supporting implants. If this is damaged or decayed, Dr. Patrick Abbey and the team at Maxillofacial Surgery Center Dr. Patrick A. Abbey, DMD, PA are experienced in ridge augmentation or expansion treatments and wants to help you make your smile healthy again.
What is Ridge Augmentation?
A section of bone called the alveolar ridge runs on your upper and lower jaw bones and holds your tooth roots in place. This bone stops growing when you lose a tooth and will eventually weaken. This erosion can cause you to lose more teeth and allows more damage to your jaw over time.
Dental Implant technology is amazing at replicating the look, feel and function of real teeth while also preventing further bone loss in your jaw. Dental implants attach to the ridge and encourage bone growth. If our patients are experience too much bone loss to immediately get dental implants, we will need to begin with a ridge augmentation,
During this treatment, Dr. Patrick Abbey will graft a small amount of bone material onto the dental ridge. This encourages new bone to grow with the bone that is already there, which strengthens the jaw and increases the space needed to install an implant.
What is Ridge Expansion?
When the alveolar ridge weakens, this also causes the bone to shrink entirely. This can potentially make your jawbone too thin to safely place a dental implant, which is why a ridge expansion may be the treatment necessary for you.
During this procedure, our expert team will carefully cut a thin line along the length and width of the jawbone to widen and expand the bone.
How Do I Know Which Procedure is Right for Me?
Depending on your current oral health and your long-term smile goals, our caring team is here to help you decide if either of these procedures will be necessary. At Maxillofacial Surgery Center Dr. Patrick A. Abbey, DMD, PA, we are deeply about our patients and want to help you get the results you need. We will talk you through all the options during your consultation and go from there in deciding an appropriate treatment plan. If you have any questions or are ready to get started, please call us today at (813) 972-4099.
