Ridge Augmentation in South Bend, IN
If you have lost a tooth or experienced bone loss in your jaw, ridge augmentation may be the first step toward restoring your smile. At South Bend Oral Surgery, our team performs ridge augmentation to rebuild the jawbone so you can move forward with dental implants and other restorative treatment.
What Is Ridge Augmentation?
Ridge augmentation is a bone grafting procedure that restores the height and width of the alveolar ridge, the part of the jawbone that supports your teeth roots. When a tooth is lost or removed, the surrounding bone no longer receives the stimulation it needs to maintain its shape. Over time, the ridge shrinks in both height and width.
This bone loss can happen quickly. Without intervention, the ridge may deteriorate to the point where dental implants cannot be placed safely. Ridge augmentation rebuilds that lost bone, giving implants a stable foundation and restoring the natural contour of your jaw.
Who Needs Ridge Augmentation?
You may be a candidate for ridge augmentation if you:
- Are planning to get dental implants but have been told you do not have enough bone density
- Had a tooth removed weeks, months, or years ago and have since experienced bone loss
- Have lost bone due to periodontal (gum) disease, a jaw injury, or infection
- Recently had a tooth extracted and want to preserve the ridge before bone loss occurs
In some cases, the procedure may be recommended at the time of your tooth extraction to prevent future bone loss from occurring. Your oral surgeon will evaluate your bone volume, often with imaging, and let you know whether ridge augmentation is needed before implant placement can begin.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Ridge augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed in our South Bend office. Here is what the process typically involves:
Anesthesia. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
Incision. Your surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to access the area of bone loss along the ridge.
Graft placement. Bone graft material is placed to fill in the areas where bone has been lost. A protective membrane is placed over the graft to hold it in position and support new bone growth.
Closure. The gum tissue is carefully sutured over the graft site.
Healing. Over the following months, your body integrates the graft material and new bone tissue forms.
Most patients return to normal activity within a few days, though full bone healing takes longer.
Types of Bone Graft Material
There are several types of graft material your surgeon may use, depending on your individual situation:
Autograft. Bone taken from another area of your own body, often from the jaw or chin.
Allograft. Donor bone sourced from a certified tissue bank and processed for safe use.
Alloplast (synthetic graft). A man-made bone substitute that encourages your body to produce new bone.
Your surgeon will review your imaging and your health history to determine which material is the right fit for your case. There is no single option that works for everyone, and your surgeon will walk you through the recommendation before any procedure begins.
Ridge Augmentation at South Bend Oral Surgery
At South Bend Oral Surgery, ridge augmentation is part of a full implant treatment plan. Our oral surgeons work closely with your referring dentist to coordinate care from bone grafting through final implant placement. We use advanced imaging to evaluate your bone structure and plan your procedure with precision.
We serve patients throughout South Bend and the surrounding communities in northern Indiana. Whether you were referred by your dentist or are looking for a consultation on your own, we are here to help you understand your options.
Schedule a Consultation in South Bend
If you have questions about ridge augmentation or want to find out whether you are a candidate, the next step is a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.
Schedule an appointment at our South Bend office to find out if ridge augmentation is right for you.
South Bend Oral Surgery
926 E. LaSalle Avenue South Bend, IN 46617
Serving South Bend, IN and surrounding communities.
