What is it?

A ridge expansion enhances the amount of bone present at the site of a missing tooth, thereby permitting placement of a dental implant.

When is it needed? Risks of not getting it done

• When a tooth is extracted, the bone that had previously anchored that tooth will be resorbed by the body over time. A ridge expansion is necessary when this bone is not high or wide enough to support a dental implant.
• If left untreated, bone may continue to be resorbed by the body and the pocket will progressively deepen.

How is it done?

• First, an incision is made in the gum to reveal the jaw ridge
• The jaw ridge is then separated and bone grafting material is placed into the newly created space
• The gum tissue is then sutured together

Once the bone graft material has become well integrated into the jaw bone (typically within a few months following the surgery) the dental implant will be placed.