When is a Ridge Expansion Needed?
Instrumental for preventing bone loss and deterioration, ridge expansion treatments are commonly performed after a tooth extraction. A ridge expansion procedure helps recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss.
Bone loss can happen in two dimensions. The first is a loss of horizontal width caused by the collapse of bone surrounding the socket. The remaining ridge narrows and no longer allows room for an implant. The second is a loss of vertical bone height, which makes it impossible to safely and securely place dental implants in the affected area. The ridge bone must be augmented in order to add enough height and horizontal width to fit dental implants.
The Ridge Expansion Procedure
For ridge expansion procedures, the oral surgeon uses special instruments to divide the ridge bone while the inner and outer segments of bone are wedged apart. This creates a space between the divided sections of bone that can be filled with bone graft. Depending on the situation, simultaneous dental implants may be achieved during expansion. Additionally, the bone graft will need to be placed and mature for a few months before the implant can be placed.