Bone Grafting in Sarasota, FL
Ridge Augmentation
After a tooth is lost, the ridge of bone that held it can shrink and change shape. Ridge augmentation rebuilds that ridge — restoring a natural contour and a solid foundation for dental implants.
The Basics
What is ridge augmentation?
Ridge augmentation is a bone grafting procedure that restores the natural height and width of the alveolar ridge — the arch of bone in your jaw that holds the roots of your teeth. When a tooth is removed or lost, an empty socket is left behind, and the surrounding bone often collapses inward as it heals. Ridge augmentation rebuilds that lost bone, recreating a smooth, sturdy ridge that can support a dental implant or hold a bridge or denture securely.
It is a common and predictable procedure that our surgeons perform routinely, either to prepare a site for an implant or simply to restore the natural shape of your jaw.
Why It’s Done
Why might I need ridge augmentation?
The ridge can lose its height or width for several reasons — a tooth that has been missing for some time, an extraction where the socket wasn’t preserved, gum disease, injury or infection. When the ridge is too narrow or too short, there simply isn’t enough bone to place an implant safely, and gaps or indentations in the ridge can also trap food and look unnatural. Rebuilding the ridge solves both problems — making implants possible and restoring a natural, healthy contour. Placing a graft at the time of extraction with socket preservation can often reduce or avoid the need for it later.
What to Expect
What to expect during the procedure
Ridge augmentation is typically a comfortable, in-office procedure, planned precisely around the bone you need rebuilt.
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Consultation
Your surgeon reviews 3D imaging of your jaw to measure the ridge and plan exactly where bone needs to be rebuilt.
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Anesthesia
You are made comfortable with local anesthesia or sedation, chosen together based on the size of the graft.
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Graft placed
Graft material is placed to widen or build up the ridge, often protected by a membrane, then the gum is closed over it.
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Healing
Over the following months the graft matures into your own bone, creating a ridge ready to receive an implant.
Recovery
Healing and what comes next
Recovery is usually straightforward, with mild swelling and soreness for a few days that is easily managed with the medication and aftercare instructions we provide. You’ll eat soft foods and keep the area clean while it settles. The rebuilt ridge then matures over several months before it is ready for an implant — and your surgeon will monitor your healing and let you know exactly when it’s time for the next step.
Why Choose Us
Why choose Sarasota Oral & Implant Surgery?
Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons bring both medical and dental training to every procedure, so you get expert diagnosis and comfortable, precise care from consultation to recovery.
- Dual-degree surgeons (DMD and MD) with advanced anesthesia training
- Board-certified Diplomates of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Decades of experience across thousands of successful cases
- 3D imaging and modern technology for precise, predictable results
- A full range of sedation and comfort options
- Convenient locations across the Sarasota area
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ridge augmentation and socket preservation?
Socket preservation is a graft placed right after an extraction to keep the ridge from collapsing in the first place, while ridge augmentation rebuilds a ridge that has already lost height or width. Both restore bone — the difference is timing.
How long does ridge augmentation take to heal?
You’ll feel back to normal within a few days, but the graft needs several months to mature into bone strong enough to support an implant. The exact timeline depends on the size of the graft.
Is ridge augmentation painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or sedation, so you won’t feel pain during treatment. Most patients have only mild soreness afterward, easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
Can I get an implant at the same time as ridge augmentation?
Sometimes. When only a small amount of bone is needed, the graft and implant can occasionally be placed together. Larger reconstructions usually need to heal first. Your surgeon will recommend the safest sequence for you.
