If you have been missing teeth for some time, you might be having to hide your smile, missing out on enjoying your favorite foods, or even have difficulty talking. When you are missing teeth, it can have serious health consequences as well. It can make you more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay, and when you have been missing a tooth for some time, your jawbone starts to deteriorate. When the jawbone is weakened, it can make it difficult for your dentist to install a restoration such as a dental implant, which requires strong bone support.
Not to worry, though. Even if you have been missing a tooth for a while, Dr. Karanvir Sibia and the team at Ace Dental in Roseville can help with ridge augmentation.
If you are missing a tooth, Dr. Sibia may recommend dental implants. Dental implants are popular because they look and feel like real teeth.
The procedure to get a dental implant starts when the dentist installs a titanium post into the jawbone, in the socket of the missing tooth. Once the jawbone and the post fuse together, the dentist will place an abutment on top of the post, and then he will place the new tooth.
This is why it is so important to have a strong jawbone because the bone has to be strong enough to support the titanium post. If the bone isn’t deemed strong enough, your dentist may suggest and perform a ridge augmentation procedure.
A ridge augmentation is a procedure that can restore the bone structure of the jawbone, making it strong enough for dental implants. It involves lifting the gum tissue to expose the bone and filling in the area with either natural bone harvested from another area of the mouth (autogenous), a combination of autogenous bone and artificial bone, or artificial bone substance.
The procedure may be necessary because of injury or trauma to the mouth, developmental defects, periodontal disease or the effects of wearing dentures for years.
Dr. Sibia will perform a thorough dental exam to decide if a ridge augmentation procedure is right for you.
If you would benefit from a ridge augmentation procedure, then you will be given a local anesthetic. A flap of gum will be opened to expose the defect and fill the area with bone or a bone substitute. This material will help to build up the ridge of the weak jawbone.
Then, the incision will be closed.
The length of time needed for recovery depends on the patient. It can take anywhere from four to 12 months before the bone is strong enough to support an implant. In some cases, the implant can be placed at the same time the ridge augmentation procedure is done.
Your dentist may prescribe pain medication for you to take after the procedure, or you can take an over-the-counter painkiller. You will likely be given an antibiotic and/or an oral rinse that will kill bacteria around the surgical area. To decrease swelling and pain, apply a heating pad or moist heat for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, although heat shouldn’t be applied until the second day following surgery.
Some bleeding is normal the day after surgery. You should avoid using straws, smoking, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, because these can make bleeding worse.
You should plan on resting immediately after the surgery and the next day as well. After that, you can return to your regular activities, although you should avoid strenuous activities (such as exercise) for the week after the surgery.
Don’t brush or floss around the surgery site for the first week.
You will be given a complete set of post-operative care instructions.
As with any procedure, the cost of a ridge augmentation can vary. We would be happy to discuss the costs with you.
We are in-network providers for most PPO insurance, including Delta, MetLife, Guardian, Humana, Cigna, and Assurant. We also offer the Ace Dental Plan, which provides a discount on dental procedures, such as ridge augmentation as well as several other benefits.
Ridge augmentation not only increases the odds that a dental implant will be successful, it also improves the appearance of the patient’s mouth and smile. Often, when someone has a missing tooth and a jawbone that is weak, the gums begin to recede. This causes an indentation that is not only unattractive, it is also difficult to keep clean. A ridge augmentation gives patients a smooth gum line so that all the teeth look uniform and attractive.
If you have been told your jawbone is too weak to support a dental implant, Ace Dental in Roseville can help! You don’t have to live with missing teeth anymore. Give Dr. Sibia and the team at Ace Dental a call today at (916) 772-0111.
