Ridge Augmentation

Ridge augmentation is a bone grafting procedure that restores the height, width, or contour of the jaw ridge after bone has been lost. Bone needs stimulation from a tooth root to maintain itself; once that stimulation disappears, the body gradually resorbs the bone it no longer considers necessary. The result is a ridge that may be too thin to hold an implant securely, or too irregular to support a natural-looking restoration.

During the procedure, we place grafting material in the deficient area and protect it so your body can build new bone around and through it. Over the following months, that material is gradually replaced by your own bone, creating a ridge with the volume and shape needed for the next phase of treatment. In some cases ridge augmentation is done at the same time as a tooth extraction — preserving the site before it has a chance to collapse — and in other cases it's performed on an area that has been missing teeth for years.

As a periodontal practice with a board-certified periodontist on staff, bone and gum tissue are the core of what we do every day. We place dental implants, perform gum grafting and periodontal regeneration, and handle crown lengthening and cosmetic gum contouring, which means we're able to plan ridge augmentation as one part of a complete treatment sequence rather than an isolated procedure.

The most common reason patients come to us for ridge augmentation is to make dental implants possible. If you've been told you don't have enough bone for an implant, that's rarely the end of the conversation — it's usually the beginning of a grafting plan. We also use ridge augmentation to support more extensive restorations, including All-on-4, All-on-6, and All-on-X full arch implants, implant-supported bridges, and implant-supported dentures.

There are also situations where the goal is appearance and comfort rather than implant support. A sunken ridge can create a dark shadow or an awkward gap beneath a bridge, and a collapsed ridge under a denture can make the appliance unstable and uncomfortable. Rebuilding the contour gives the restoration a more natural emergence and a better fit.

Good candidates generally share a few things we evaluate at your consultation:

• Healthy gums, or a plan to treat active gum disease first, since infection undermines healing
• Enough remaining bone structure for grafting material to integrate with
• A clear restorative goal, so the graft is shaped for the implant or prosthesis it will eventually support
• Willingness to follow aftercare instructions and attend follow-up visits
• Overall health and habits that support healing, which we discuss openly and individually

Costs, Payment, and Getting Started

We are an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice and do not take insurance. We do file claims as a specialist on behalf of patients who wish to seek reimbursement from their carriers, and we welcome self-pay and cash patients. Before anything is scheduled, you'll receive a clear explanation of your treatment plan and associated fees so there are no surprises.

You don't need a referral to see us. We care for patients throughout Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Highland Beach, and Delray Beach, and we'd be glad to look at your situation and tell you honestly what's possible. Call us to schedule your consultation — rebuilding a strong foundation is often the step that makes everything else work.