How Implants Prevent Bone Loss
Ann Arbor, MI
 If you are in need of a tooth replacement, we believe dental implants may be the ideal solution. However, some people may not be a suitable candidate without an important preliminary procedure: bone grafting. At Everwell Dentistry, we offer ridge augmentation and other bone grafting treatments to help our patients qualify for treatment. A ridge augmentation allows you to receive dental implants when it would otherwise be impossible.
Tooth Loss and Bone Deterioration
The roots of your teeth stimulate your jawbone, keeping it healthy and strong. When you lose a tooth, you lose this stimulation. With enough time, and the absence of restorative treatment, your jawbone will begin to deteriorate.
The deterioration of your jaw can result in two major disadvantages: implant disqualification and a less youthful facial appearance. For this reason, replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible is of vital importance, especially with dental implants. If your bone has already deteriorated, we usually recommend a ridge augmentation.
The Importance of Osseointegration
The many benefits of dental implants can be attributed to the process of osseointegration. During osseointegration, the implant post and your jawbone fuse together to form a powerful bond. This bond enables implants to support your restoration against the immense pressures of your bite.
If your post does not properly osseointegrate, implant failure is likely. This happens when the jawbone is too weak or too thin to support an implant. A ridge augmentation can help rebuild the bone and ensure the success of your dental implant.
Ridge Augmentation Procedure
Ridge augmentations are the most common type of bone grafting procedure. Like most of our treatments, it begins with a consultation appointment. During your consultation, Dr. Embree will determine whether or not you are in need of a ridge augmentation through a series of diagnostic tests.
At a following appointment, we will perform the procedure. Before we begin, we will use local anesthetic to completely numb the area and eliminate discomfort. We also offer several forms of sedation.
Ridge augmentations are often performed immediately after a tooth extraction. This procedure is also referred to as socket preservation.
The type of augmentation we perform depends on your individual situation. During socket preservation, bone grafting material is placed directly in the socket once the tooth has been removed. This helps prevent bone deterioration and eliminates the need for a second procedure.
A ridge augmentation can also be used to widen your alveolar bone. During the procedure, we make a divide in the bone and place the graft material. The graft material helps restore the height and width of a previously deteriorated jaw.
Regardless of which augmentation you receive, the graft material should foster the growth of new bone. This process takes between six to nine months, depending on the location and size of your graft. Once your socket or ridge has completely healed, we can move forward with implant treatment.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are interested in the restorative treatment of dental implants, you may be in need of a ridge augmentation. To learn more about the process, call (734) 973-0000 and schedule your consultation appointment today.
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