Sometimes in order to place a dental implant, there is first some work that needs to be done to the jawline. When teeth go missing, the jawline can begin to deteriorate. In the case where the ridge is not large enough to successfully hold a dental implant, it will need to be built up with a ridge augmentation. Here at Smiles of Cary, we can perform ridge augmentations for our patients right here in our Cary, NC office.
In order to perform a ridge augmentation, first, your doctor will lift the gums away from the bone. Bone graft material will then be placed into the area where the bone has deteriorated. Afterwards, the incision is closed and allowed to heal. The augmentation will take about twelve months to fully heal. During this time, the bone graft material will not only bond with your jawbone, but it will also promote the growth of even more jawbone. The end result is a strong jawline that is big enough to host a dental implant. Depending on your specific case, a dental implant may be able to be placed during the augmentation procedure or after the twelve-month healing period.
If permanent tooth replacement sounds like the route you would like to go, set up a consultation with us. To learn more about ridge augmentation or dental implants, call Smiles of Cary at (919) 462-3350 or visit our website, www.smilesofcary.com.