Revive Your Jawbone with Ridge Augmentation at Zajac Dental
Are you struggling with jawbone deterioration after tooth loss? Don’t let this issue jeopardize your oral health or future dental work. At Zajac Dental, our experienced Oakville, ON, implant dentist, Dr. Pawel Zajac, is skilled in ridge augmentation, a transformative procedure that rebuilds and preserves the jawbone structure.
Discover how this innovative solution can pave the way for a beautiful, functional smile by calling our Oakville dental practice at 905-901-3824 for new patients, or 905-257-6900 for current patients.
What Is Ridge Augmentation?
Alveolar ridge bone augmentation, also simply known as ridge augmentation, is a bone grafting technique that rebuilds the jawbone’s natural shape and density after tooth loss or trauma. After tooth extraction or after when a tooth goes missing, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate or resorb over time, leading to a sunken appearance and potential complications for future dental work.
For example, dental implants require bone in this area to be abundant to ensure a sturdy foundation for the restoration. Ridge augmentation proactively addresses this issue by grafting bone graft material into the tooth extraction site, preventing bone loss and preserving the ridge for dental implants or restorations.
Benefits of Ridge Augmentation
Some of the many benefits of alveolar ridge bone augmentation include the following:
- Preservation of Natural Contours: Ridge augmentation helps maintain the original shape and structure of the jawbone and surrounding gum tissue, promoting a harmonious and natural appearance.
- Foundation for Dental Implants: Ridge augmentation creates a solid and reliable base for dental implants or other restorative procedures, ensuring stability and longevity.
- Enhanced Aesthetic Outcome: Ridge augmentation improves the appearance of future dental work by providing a more stable, aesthetically pleasing foundation for restorations.
- Prevention of Facial Collapse: Ridge augmentation helps prevent the sunken or collapsed appearance of the face that can occur after bone loss, preserving facial aesthetics and youthful contours.
- Reduced Need for Extensive Procedures: Ridge augmentation minimizes the need for more invasive and extensive bone graft procedures in the future by preserving existing bone volume and density.
- Improved Success of Dental Implants: Ridge augmentation enhances the likelihood of successful dental implant placement and integration by ensuring adequate bone support and stability.
- Support for Oral Health and Function: Ridge augmentation promotes oral health and function by maintaining jawbone integrity and supporting surrounding teeth and soft tissues.
- Improved Speech and Chewing Function: Ridge augmentation can enhance speech clarity and chewing efficiency by providing a stable foundation for dental prosthetics such as dental implants. This, in turn, improves oral function and comfort.
Who Qualifies for Ridge Augmentation?
You may qualify for ridge augmentation if any of the following apply to you:
- Individuals who have recently had a tooth extracted
- Patients with congenitally missing teeth
- Those with jawbone deterioration from periodontal disease or injury
- Individuals with significant bone loss
- Candidates for dental implant placement who lack sufficient bone density
- Patients seeking to improve their smile
- Anyone interested in preserving jawbone structure for future dental work
The Ridge Augmentation Process
Consultation
Before any bone augmentation procedures take place, you’ll have an initial consultation with our Oakville oral surgeon and implant dentist, Dr. Zajac. During your initial consultation at Zajac Dental, our implant dentist will carefully evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and determine if ridge augmentation is the right solution for you. He’ll explain the oral and maxillofacial surgery in detail, address any concerns, and develop a personalized bone augmentation treatment plan.
Preparation
Before the procedure, you may need additional treatments, such as tooth extraction or periodontal therapy, to ensure a healthy foundation. Dr. Zajac will provide comprehensive pre-operative instructions, including necessary dietary or medication adjustments to help ensure the bone graft procedure goes smoothly.
Ridge Augmentation
The ridge augmentation procedure typically involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. Our implant dentist will then place bone graft material derived from various sources, like synthetic material, animal bone, or your own bone, into the tooth extraction site or area of bone loss. This bone graft material encourages new bone growth and maintains the ridge’s shape, width, and height.
Finally, the gum tissue is sutured to allow healing of the bone graft. If you’re planning to undergo dental implant placement, sufficient time will be needed for the bone graft to heal before dental implants can be installed.
Ridge Augmentation Aftercare
After your ridge augmentation procedure, proper aftercare is vital to ensuring your oral health. Our implant dentist provides the following ridge augmentation aftercare tips:
- Follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing of the bone graft.
- Take prescribed medications, such as antibiotics and pain relievers, as directed.
- Avoid strenuous activities for the first few days after the bone grafting material has been placed.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene by gently brushing around the bone graft site and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Attend follow-up dental appointments for monitoring and evaluation of the bone graft.
- Avoid smoking and hard or crunchy foods to avoid irritating the bone graft during the healing process.
- Stick to a soft diet for the first few days to promote healing and reduce the risk of dislodging the bone graft material.
- While the bone graft is healing, opt for an alcohol-free or prescribed antimicrobial mouthwash recommended by your dentist.
- Report any unusual symptoms, such as severe pain or excessive bleeding, to Dr. Zajac immediately.
Financing Ridge Augmentation
At Zajac Dental, we understand that dental procedures like ridge augmentation can be a significant investment. That’s why we strive to make this transformative treatment accessible by offering flexible financing options to fit your needs and budget.
Our team will guide you through the financing process and help you find the best solution to achieve your smile goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your payment options.
Dental Plans & Insurance
If you have dental insurance coverage, our knowledgeable team will work closely with your provider to maximize your benefits and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for ridge augmentation. We are in-network with many major Canadian dental plans, making it easier for you to receive the care you need.
Cash, Check, and Credit
For those who prefer to pay for their treatment upfront, we gladly accept cash, personal checks, and major credit cards. Our transparent pricing ensures you know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees or surprises.
Third-Party Financing with Borrowell and CareCredit
If you need a more flexible payment plan, we offer third-party financing options through Borrowell and CareCredit. These reputable lenders provide affordable monthly installment plans, often with low or no interest for qualified applicants. This allows you to invest in your oral health without compromising your financial well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the ridge augmentation procedure take?
The duration of the procedure can vary depending on the extent of the treatment area, but in most cases, it typically takes one to two hours. Your implant dentist will give you a more accurate breakdown of the treatment time during your consultation.
Is ridge augmentation painful?
While some discomfort is expected after the procedure, your dentist will provide appropriate pain management techniques and medications to minimize discomfort. Post-op, over-the-counter pain medications can help manage any lingering discomfort.
How long does it take for the bone graft material to heal?
The healing process can take several months, during which the bone graft material will gradually integrate with your natural bone tissue. However, the exact time frame can vary from patient to patient.
Is ridge augmentation covered by insurance?
Coverage for ridge augmentation procedures varies depending on the insurance plan and the specific circumstances of the treatment. In some cases, ridge augmentation may be covered if it’s deemed medically necessary to restore lost oral function or prevent further complications.
However, cosmetic ridge augmentation procedures may not be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage options and potential out-of-pocket expenses for bone augmentation.
Call Zajac Dental for Smile Transformation with Ridge Augmentation!
At Zajac Dental, our implant dentist is dedicated to restoring the radiant smiles of patients from Oakville and surrounding areas like Flagarwood, Holton Heights, Sunningdale, and West Oak Trails, ON.
If you’re curious about the benefits of ridge augmentation or other bone grafting procedures, don’t hesitate to contact our Oakville dental office at 905-901-3824 if you’re a new patient, or 905-257-6900 if you’re current. Invest in your smile’s future and experience the life-changing benefits of ridge augmentation today.