Ridge Modification
A ridge modification is a procedure that is performed when deformities have developed in both the upper and the lower jaw, which results in there being an insufficient amount of bone available to place dental implants. These deformities can be caused by a wide range of factors, such as developmental issues, periodontal disease, dentures, or a past injury or trauma. Regardless of why the deformities have occurred, the ridge augmentation procedure will make it possible to correct the issue of insufficient bone.
During the ridge modification process, your dentist will lift the gum away so they are able to reach the deformity or defect, which will then be filled with either bone or an alternative grafting material. Once this is place, your dentist will suture the incision shut, which will allow the healing process to begin. This healing process can take some time, but once the bone has had a chance to gain in both height and width, your dentist will be able to reevaluate your case to determine if you are ready for implants to be securely placed.
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800 Shroyer Rd. Dayton, OH 45419
Soft Vs. Hard Tissue Ridge Modification
Patients can generally undergo one of two types of ridge augmentation procedures: Soft Tissue and Hard Tissue.
Soft Tissue procedures are generally done for aesthetic reasons and to improve the overall cleanliness of the affected area. When undergoing this type of procedure, your dentist will generally provide an appropriate anesthetic. Once the area is properly numbed, they will make a small incision on the affected area. Next, they will gather soft tissue (generally from the roof of the patient’s mouth or a substitute), insert it, and then stitch the area up so the healing process can begin.
If a patient needs to have a dental implant placement but has insufficient bone mass, they will need to have a hard tissue graft in addition to bone contouring. For this procedure, an appropriate anesthetic will be provided. Once the area is properly numbed, your dentist will make an incision so they are able to place the bone graft, which will then be reinforced with titanium screws. After this is complete, your dentist will stitch this area off to prevent infection from developing and allowing the healing process to begin.
Although it can be an intensive and drawn out process, ridge modification has demonstrated significant success in helping improve patient success for dental implants and generally improving the overall aesthetic appearance and functionality.
Candidates for Ridge Augmentation
If you have experienced any of the following, ridge augmentation may be right for you:
- Gum disease that causes deterioration
- Developmental defects related to preventing gum or bone tissue to adequately form
- Missing teeth
- Oral trauma
- Wearing dentures can deteriorate the jaw bone
Post Ridge Modification Home Care
The healing process following a ridge modification procedure will be different for every patient. More severe cases could take up to one year, while others will not take nearly that long. As such, it is important to have a clear sense of what your particular recovery plan following your procedure so you can plan accordingly to maximize the healing process.
Regardless of the severity of your case, it will be important to avoid eating hard foods, sipping through straws, smoking, or creating excessive pressure immediately following your procedure. As you continue to heal, you can begin to slowly introduce harder foods.
Along with closely following these post-procedure practices, the best way to maintain the longevity of your procedure and help assure you will not need additional oral health maintenance in the near future is to practice good oral hygiene habits and schedule regular checkups with your dentist. These visits are especially important because they will allow your dentist to monitor the overall success of your procedure and address any additional oral health issues before they develop into something more serious.
Cost of Ridge Modification Procedure
The final cost of your procedure will be determined by a variety of factors, such as the severity of your case and what type of dental plan you are currently enrolled in. Our office does accept cash, most major credit cards, money orders, and personal checks.
If you have concerns about the extent of care required and would like to discuss alternate financial arrangements, please feel free to contact our office to discuss CareCredit. CareCredit helps patients pay for procedures and treatments that are not covered by insurance by offering low minimum monthly payments and No Interest* financing so you can get what you want, when you want it. Applying for Care Credit only takes three simple steps and can provide instant approval.
If you have any additional questions regarding payments, dental insurance coverage, or available financial options, please contact our office and we will be happy to help.
For Beautiful, Healthy Smiles, Contact Us Today!
At Platinum Dentistry, we believe a healthy smile is a beautiful smile, which is why we provide an array of dental treatments to cater to health as well as aesthetics. Our practice utilizes world-class labs that create customized restorations to restore the structure and beauty of your teeth. We take the time to explain and educate our patients about the importance of health care and answer any questions you may have about treatment so you can make the best decision for your smile.
With our attention-to-detail for providing high aesthetic results to restoring the health of patients’ teeth and gums, at Platinum Dentistry you are in experienced hands. Take your first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile today and schedule an appointment by contacting our office by phone at 937.293.3402 or fill out our online form.