Close-up view of a periodontal procedure

Dental Implants

Ridge Augmentation

Restore the shape and volume of the jaw ridge before implant placement.

Three clinicians during a periodontal procedure

Dental Implants

Restore the jaw ridge before an implant is placed.

The alveolar ridges are the areas of jawbone that support the upper and lower teeth and help shape the natural contours of your smile. These ridges can lose height or width due to periodontal disease, tooth loss, or extraction. When this occurs, your periodontist may recommend a ridge augmentation procedure to rebuild the affected area. Ridge augmentation may be performed to improve the appearance of the gumline and jaw or to create the support needed for the placement of a dental implant.

Following the loss of a tooth or a tooth extraction, the jawbone immediately begins to deteriorate and weaken as the socket, which was previously supporting the tooth that has been removed or lost, begins to shrink, both in width and height. A ridge augmentation is an effective method of halting and reversing this process, and will also help facilitate an increase in bone or gum tissue in the affected area of the mouth to improve the overall functionality and general appearance, and provide adequate support for a dental implant to be placed. The two types of ridge augmentations that can be performed are hard tissue and soft tissue.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty-trained periodontists, our specialty-trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about the ridge augmentation procedure, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 296- 3360.

The Procedure

What to expect from your treatment.

Here's what your ridge augmentation treatment looks like, step by step.

The Ridge Augmentation Procedure Will Begin with the

The ridge augmentation procedure will begin with the administration of a local anesthetic. Once the area is properly numbed, your periodontist will make a small incision in your gum to allow access to the bone. Depending upon what type of ridge augmentation procedure you are having performed, your periodontist will either place soft gum tissue or hard bone tissue. Soft tissue ridge augmentations are generally done to address cosmetic concerns. For this type of ridge augmentation, a soft tissue graft will typically be taken from the roof of your mouth and then inserted into the graft, after which the area will be sutured shut so the healing process can begin.

Patients Who Need to Have a Dental Implant

Patients who need to have a dental implant placed will typically have a hard tissue graft. The grafting material can be human (your own or a donor, also known as an allograft), animal (xenograft), or synthetic material (alloplast). Once the graft is properly positioned, the area will be stitched shut so the healing process can begin. As soon as the bone has gained sufficient height and width, the patient will be ready to have a dental implant placed.

Recovery & Aftercare

A short recovery, a long-term result.

The recovery process following ridge augmentation surgery can vary widely from patient to patient, depending upon the severity of your case. It can take as little as a few weeks or as long as one year for the bone to finish growing and healing. Because there is such variance in the recovery process, it is important to discuss what your unique recovery plan will be with your periodontist prior to having this procedure performed.

Immediately following your ridge augmentation, you will need to stick to a soft food diet, slowly reintroducing harder foods as the healing progresses. It is also important to avoid smoking or using straws for the first week or two following the procedure, as doing so will create unnecessary pressure.

Once you have completed the recovery process, it will not be necessary to follow special aftercare instructions, although it is important to be aware of the reason this procedure was needed in the first place. Continue practicing good daily oral hygiene practices. Brush and floss twice daily, and schedule regular visits to your periodontist to ensure that your teeth receive regular professional cleanings, which will reduce your risk of developing gingivitis or periodontitis. If you follow these best practices, you will enjoy a bright and healthy smile for many years to come.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about this treatment.

What should I know about Dental Implants Versus Dental Bridges?

Patients with missing teeth are at an increased of developing additional oral health issues, including infections, periodontitis, and jawbone deterioration. Two of the most common methods for treating a missing tooth or teeth are dental implants and dental bridges. Dental implants are artificial teeth surgically placed in your jaw that include titanium posts, abutments, and crowns. Dental implants are designed to look and feel just like your natural teeth and are a popular option for patients who have not had a positive experience with dentures or bridgework. Dental bridges replace a missing tooth or teeth with an artificial tooth attached to an abutment that is connected to healthy teeth flanking the missing tooth. The most common types of dental bridges are traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant supported bridges. Dental bridges are typically recommended for patients whose adjacent teeth need crowns or caps, or for patients who have experienced bone loss.

Are dental bone grafts painful?

Ridge augmentation is done under local anesthetic and, for larger cases, oral or IV sedation, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Because ridge augmentation typically involves lifting a small flap of gum tissue and placing graft material along the ridge, most patients describe the recovery as mild soreness or swelling in the treated area for the first three to five days rather than sharp pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories usually manage it well, and we prescribe stronger medication only when needed. The bigger considerations aren't pain but protecting the site: avoiding vigorous rinsing, hard chewing on that side, and smoking, which all interfere with the graft integrating properly.

Do gums grow back after bone graft?

The gum tissue itself doesn't regenerate the way bone does, but ridge augmentation reshapes the underlying foundation so the gum line above sits in a more natural, fuller contour. When the ridge has collapsed after tooth loss, the overlying gum often looks sunken or notched. Rebuilding the bone volume restores the tissue support beneath, and in cases where the soft tissue needs help too, we can pair ridge augmentation with a connective tissue graft or free gingival graft at the same visit or as a follow-up. That combination is often what makes a future implant crown look and function like a natural tooth.

Cost & Payment

Money shouldn't stand between you and the care you deserve.

The cost of a ridge augmentation procedure will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, whether or not additional procedures are required, the severity of your case, and what type of dental sedation (if any) is used.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.

For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office. You can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.

For your convenience, we accept: