Rebuilding Your Smile: The Importance of Ridge Augmentation

At Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we believe that every patient deserves a strong, healthy smile. Unfortunately, tooth loss or gum disease can cause bone loss in the jaw, leading to a weakened foundation for dental implants or other restorative procedures. If you're considering dental implants, understanding the importance of ridge augmentation can help you make an informed decision about your oral health.
 

What is Ridge Augmentation?

Ridge augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to restore the natural contour of the jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone can deteriorate over time, leading to a sunken or misshapen appearance. This bone loss not only affects your smile’s aesthetics but also complicates future dental procedures, such as implant placement. Ridge augmentation rebuilds the bone to its original height and width, creating a stable foundation for dental implants.
 

Why is Ridge Augmentation Important?

•       Restoring Jawbone Health Ridge augmentation helps regenerate lost bone, improving overall jaw health. Without this procedure, the weakened bone may continue to deteriorate, potentially causing issues with neighboring teeth or even altering facial structure.

•       Ensuring Implant Success Dental implants require a strong and stable bone structure to ensure proper integration and longevity. Ridge augmentation prepares the jawbone for implants by providing the necessary support, increasing the chances of successful implant placement.

•       Enhancing Aesthetics Missing teeth or bone loss can lead to a sunken appearance in the face, making you look older than you are. Ridge augmentation can restore the natural contours of your jawline, helping you achieve a more youthful and symmetrical appearance.

•       Preventing Further Complications Without sufficient bone volume, it can be challenging to place dental implants correctly. Ridge augmentation not only enables implant placement but also helps prevent potential complications like implant failure, gum recession, or misalignment.
 

How is Ridge Augmentation Performed?

During the ridge augmentation procedure, your oral surgeon will carefully place bone graft material in the areas of your jaw where bone has been lost. This graft may come from your own body, a donor, or synthetic materials. Over time, the bone graft fuses with your existing bone, strengthening the area and making it suitable for implant placement.
 

The healing process varies, but most patients can expect to be ready for dental implants in a few months after the ridge augmentation. Your surgeon will closely monitor your progress and ensure that the grafted bone integrates properly.
 

Rebuild Your Smile at Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center

If you've experienced bone loss due to missing teeth, gum disease, or trauma, ridge augmentation may be an essential part of your dental treatment plan. Our skilled surgeons at Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center can evaluate your specific needs and determine whether this procedure is necessary to restore your smile. Whether you’re looking to restore lost bone, prepare for dental implants, or improve the aesthetics of your smile, ridge augmentation can play a vital role in your treatment.
 

Contact Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center to schedule a consultation and learn more about how ridge augmentation can help you rebuild your smile and regain your confidence. Visit our office in Los Angeles, California, or call (310) 954-9449 to book an appointment today.