Ridge Expansion
What is a Ridge Expansion procedure?
After a tooth is taken out or is lost, the bone that surrounds the teeth is absorbed by the body. It can also lose its thickness due to disease or the normal aging process. In severe cases, when the jaw is not wide or high enough to support dental implants, a ridge expansion procedure is performed.
Ridge expansion is also known as alveolar ridge splitting or bone expansion osteotomy. Patients with narrow alveolar ridges, this minimally invasive procedure has proven to be very successful.
What to expect during the procedure
An incision is made in your gums which are pulled back to expose jaw ridge. The bony jaw ridge is then separated with surgical tools.
Bone graft material is packed into the area. The area is stitched up.
Once this matures, your body fills it in with its own bone and dental implants can be placed months later.
Risks
As with any surgery, infection and bleeding are risks associated with a ridge expansion procedure.
Bone fracture and separation are also potential risks seen after this treatment.
