Ridge Augmentation
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
When a tooth is lost or extracted, the jawbone surrounding the empty socket begins to change. Over time, the bone can lose volume and density, making it difficult to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant. Ridge augmentation is a procedure that helps preserve or rebuild the jawbone, creating a stronger foundation for future dental treatment.
When performed immediately after a tooth extraction, bone grafting material is placed into the empty socket to help maintain the shape and structure of the surrounding bone as the area heals. If bone loss has already occurred, ridge augmentation can be used to rebuild the affected area and restore the natural contours of the jawbone. This can make dental implant placement possible for patients who otherwise may not have enough bone to support an implant. It can also help improve the appearance of the gums and jaw, particularly when bone loss has affected the shape of your smile.
At Northeast Texas Periodontal Specialists, we offer ridge augmentation to help patients preserve and restore their jawbone following tooth loss. To learn more about this procedure and the other treatments available at our practice, please review the information below. To schedule a consultation, contact our Rockwall office at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Ridge Augmentation
Treatment & Process
Before the ridge augmentation procedure can begin, we will perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether a ridge augmentation is the best treatment option for you. If so, we will explain the procedure to you, answer any questions you may have, and schedule a follow-up appointment.
A ridge augmentation is often preceded by a tooth extraction. If a tooth extraction is necessary, we will first administer a local anesthetic to ensure you experience minimal discomfort, along with dental sedation, if necessary. We will use Piezosurgery to extract your tooth, as doing so reduces trauma and allows us to precisely remove your tooth from the bone, causing minimal trauma to the bone in the area. If the augmentation procedure is performed at a later time after extraction of the tooth, we will perform the ridge augmentation by making a small incision to expose the bone and place the bone graft, after which the gum tissues are sutured closed. Once you have completed the healing process, you will be ready for placement of a dental implant. This healing period can vary with the volume of grafting required in the area for eventual implant placement. A larger bone graft will take a longer time to heal than a smaller graft would take to heal. We will often take a 3-D image (cone beam CT) dental CT scan of the area to be grafted to plan out the entire treatment plan and process.
Ridge Augmentation
Aftercare Instructions
Following your ridge augmentation procedure, it is normal to experience some pain and swelling. This can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain-relieving medication like Ibuprofen and application of ice to the swollen or tender area for fifteen to twenty-minute intervals. If pain medication or antibiotics are prescribed, take as prescribed until your prescription is completed.
During the initial healing period, it is important to not brush of floss for the first 24-48 hours and avoid spitting, using straws, and/or smoking. It is also recommended that you follow a soft food diet for the first few days following your procedure and slowly reintroduce harder foods as the healing process progresses, making a point of avoiding foods that are crunchy or hard.
One of the biggest complications that can develop following the ridge augmentation procedure is developing a postoperative infection leading to failure of the graft to heal correctly. Not following aftercare instructions will significantly increase your risk of developing an infection, which will extend how long the healing process will take. It may require additional procedures to correct the problem. Smoking can severely compromise this initial healing period as well and should be avoided. Patients may notice a bad taste in their mouth before this pain begins to present itself. If you feel you may have developed an infection, please contact our office, and we will help in any way we can.
Once you have completed the healing process, no further home care modifications will be necessary. At a minimum, make sure you are brushing and flossing twice daily and continue scheduling regular examinations, if necessary. Once the ridge augmentation procedure is healed and mature, the next phase of treatment is often placement of a dental implant leading to the replacement of your missing teeth. By committing to a consistent oral health routine, you can maintain a strong, healthy, bright smile!
Ridge Augmentation
Costs associated
The cost of having a ridge augmentation will largely depend on whether additional procedures are required, the type of grafting material used, whether dental sedation is used, and if so, what kind, and your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit, any X-rays that may need to be taken as part of the evaluation appointment, and any follow-up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your dental insurance claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
Read Our Reviews
