Ridge Augmentation

Alveolar bone loss can occur after tooth extraction and/or trauma. Atrophy of the alveolar bone also may occur in areas of congenitally missing teeth, and adverse alveolar bone conditions also can result from advanced periodontal disease and failed endodontic therapy. When the resorptive patterns of the alveolar bone progress horizontally and vertically, a more lingually positioned ridge can result. It has been suggested that if the alveolar ridge is not preserved at the time of tooth extraction or tooth loss, alveolar ridge height and width as well as position may be lost, particularly in the area of the buccal (ie, facial) plate. Major changes have been demonstrated to occur in extraction sites during the first year after tooth extraction, and losses of between 3 mm and 6 mm horizontally and 1 mm and 2 mm vertically have been reported. Preserving the alveolar ridges at the time of tooth extraction helps to minimize difficulties during subsequent implant placement.