Implant Surgery & Support
Ridge augmentation
Surgical rebuilding of jawbone height and width, restoring the ridge to the dimensions a dental implant needs to be placed safely.
After a tooth is removed, the ridge of bone that held it narrows and shortens. If enough is lost, there is simply not enough width for an implant to sit in with bone on either side.
Ridge augmentation rebuilds that dimension. It is one of the most common procedures that converts a 'not a candidate' verdict into a straightforward implant case.
The four phases
Assessment
Evaluation of the bone defect, its cause, and its exact dimensions using 3D CBCT imaging.
Grafting
Placement of bone material — autograft, allograft, or synthetic — protected by a barrier membrane that stops soft tissue invading the space.
Healing
Four to six months of integration as the graft matures into living bone capable of holding an implant.
Implant Placement
Implants are placed into the newly created bone once a follow-up scan confirms adequate volume.
When ridge augmentation is needed
Resorption After Extraction
The most common reason by far. Bone begins narrowing within weeks of a tooth being removed and continues indefinitely.
Traumatic Injury
Damage to the jaw structure from an accident, which can remove bone directly rather than through gradual resorption.
Advanced Periodontal Disease
Gum disease destroys supporting bone from below the gumline, often leaving a badly compromised ridge behind.
Developmental Deficiency
Some patients simply have congenitally narrow ridges that were never adequate for implants without augmentation.
Common questions
How reliable is ridge augmentation? +
It is a well-established procedure with a long track record when the technique is sound and aftercare is followed. Following your post-operative instructions closely is the part within your control, and it genuinely matters.
Will it hurt? +
With IV sedation and local anesthesia you experience no pain during the procedure. Post-operative discomfort is managed with medication.
How long before I can have implants? +
Typically four to six months, confirmed by follow-up imaging rather than by the calendar alone.
What material will be used? +
Autogenous bone, allograft, xenograft, or synthetic material. Dr. Tocchio will recommend the best option for your defect and then let you decide.
Related procedures & comparisons
Questions about your procedure?
Call (905) 479-7777 to book an assessment.