What Is Ridge Augmentation?
Ridge augmentation is a bone regeneration procedure designed to restore the natural contour of the jawbone after it has resorbed following tooth loss. When a tooth is extracted and not immediately replaced, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate, causing the ridge to narrow or collapse. This loss of volume can make implant placement difficult or impossible without rebuilding the ridge to its proper dimensions first.
Ridge Augmentation: Quick Facts
| Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Number of visits | 1 procedure, plus follow-up |
| Time needed | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia, with sedation available |
| Recovery time | One to two weeks |
| Ready for an implant | After 4 to 9 months |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Who Needs Ridge Augmentation
After a tooth is lost, the ridge that held it narrows and flattens. Ridge augmentation rebuilds that shape so an implant can be placed in the right position, and so the final tooth looks natural where it meets the gum.
- A ridge too narrow for an implant
- A visible dip in the gum where a tooth is missing
- A tooth missing for a long time
- Bone lost through injury or infection
- A front tooth site where appearance is critical
Ridge Augmentation at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, ridge augmentation is performed by Dr. Geoffrey Rubinshtein, who brings advanced periodontal training and extensive experience in hard and soft tissue reconstruction to every case. The procedure involves opening the gum tissue to expose the deficient bone, placing grafting material to restore width and height, and allowing the area to heal and regenerate over several months. In some cases, a membrane is placed over the graft to protect it and guide bone growth in the desired direction.
What to Expect, Step by Step
- Imaging. A 3D scan measures width and height.
- Numbing. Local anesthesia is given.
- Access. The gum is lifted to expose the ridge.
- Graft. Graft material is shaped to the defect and held with a membrane, sometimes with small fixation pins.
- Closure. The gum is closed without tension.
- Healing. New bone forms over four to nine months.
Socket preservation and ridge augmentation
| Feature | Socket preservation | Ridge augmentation |
|---|---|---|
| When | At the time of extraction | Months or years after tooth loss |
| Purpose | Prevent bone loss | Rebuild lost bone |
| Complexity | Simple | More involved |
| Healing | 3 to 6 months | 4 to 9 months |
An implant has to go where the tooth should be, not where the bone happens to be. Augmentation puts the bone back in the right place.
Recovery and Aftercare
After surgery
The first 24 hours
- Use cold packs and rest
- Do not stretch your lip or cheek to look
- Eat soft foods on the other side
The following days and weeks
- Do not wear a denture over the site unless it has been relieved
- Do not smoke
- Attend all reviews
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
- The gum opens and the membrane shows
- Swelling or pain increases after the third day
- Pus or a bad taste develops
When It Is Needed
Ridge augmentation is most commonly needed when a tooth has been missing for an extended period without socket preservation at the time of extraction, or when significant bone loss has occurred due to periodontal disease. Once the ridge has been rebuilt and healed, it provides the volume and stability necessary for successful implant placement.
Cost and Insurance
Implant treatment is priced in stages: the surgery, any grafting that is needed, and the teeth that are attached. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before treatment starts.
What affects the cost
- The number of implants
- Whether bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed
- The type of restoration: a crown, a bridge or a full arch
- 3D imaging, surgical guides and sedation, where used
Coverage for implants varies widely between plans. Some cover the crown but not the implant, and some have a yearly maximum. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
