The alveolar ridge is the portion of your jawbone that surrounds and supports your teeth. Following tooth loss, this ridge can gradually become narrower or shorter as the body reabsorbs bone that is no longer needed to support a tooth root. In some cases, bone loss is substantial enough to complicate dental implant placement.

Ridge augmentation addresses these deficiencies by adding bone graft material to areas that need additional height, width, or structural support. The graft creates a framework for new bone development as healing progresses. Depending on the extent of deterioration, your surgeon may recommend treatment shortly after an extraction or as a separate procedure before implant placement.

Detailed imaging helps our surgeons evaluate the shape and dimensions of your jawbone before developing a surgical plan. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) may also be incorporated into appropriate procedures to support natural healing. Because the grafted area needs time to develop adequate bone, implant placement may occur after a period of recovery.

Find out how ridge augmentation in Virginia Beach can improve the conditions for successful tooth replacement.