Jaw Bone Grafting
Jaw Bone Grafting
In certain situations, the jaw bone is so severely atrophic that a separate bone grafting procedure is needed to grow enough bone before a dental implant can be placed. Ridge augmentation refers to the procedure whereby new bone is grown on the remaining jaw bone to achieve adequate bone for implant therapy to be feasible. If the extensiveness of jaw bone atrophy is not so severe, ridge augmentation can sometime be done at the same time when implant is being inserted. Ridge augmentation typically involves using bone grafting materials, barrier membranes, fixation screws, and growth factor(s). The recommended waiting time following ridge augmentation to allow bone to mature before the placement of dental implants is usually 6-8 months.