RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY IN TACOMA & LAKEWOOD
Ridge Augmentation
Rebuild what’s underneath your smile
When a tooth is lost, the space it leaves behind doesn’t always stay the same shape. Without the tooth and its root, the bone and gum tissue in that area can gradually shrink or create an indentation along the jaw.
Ridge augmentation rebuilds that lost contour, creating a healthier foundation for a dental implant or helping a future restoration look more natural.
We offer ridge augmentation as part of restorative care at our Tacoma and Lakewood offices.
What is a dental ridge?
Run your tongue along the gums where your teeth sit and you’re feeling part of what’s called the alveolar ridge—the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth.
When a tooth comes out, that area can lose height and width as it heals.
Ridge augmentation uses grafting material to rebuild some of the missing structure.
Why would you rebuild it?
There are two big reasons.
To create support. If you’re considering a dental implant, enough healthy bone needs to be present to hold it securely.
To create a natural result. Bone loss can leave an indentation in the gums where a tooth is missing. Restoring the contour can help a future replacement tooth look like it’s naturally emerging from your gumline rather than sitting over a hollow area.
Is ridge augmentation the same as a bone graft?
They’re closely related.
Bone grafting is the broader term for procedures that rebuild lost bone. Ridge augmentation is a specific type of grafting focused on restoring the shape and volume of the jaw where teeth have been lost.
Don’t worry about figuring out which one you need before you arrive. We’ll handle that part.
A strong new tooth starts underneath it
If you’re considering an implant or replacing a tooth that’s been missing for a while, we’ll evaluate the bone and gum tissue first and build your treatment plan from there.
