A missing tooth does more than leave a gap in your smile. Without a tooth root to stimulate it, the jawbone beneath the gap begins to shrink over time, and this bone loss can affect both your facial structure and your ability to receive a stable dental implant down the road. If too much bone disappears before you seek treatment, a future implant may no longer have a solid foundation to anchor to.
At Goodove Oral Surgery, we help patients across Hampton Roads rebuild that lost bone through ridge augmentation, one of the bone grafting procedures our surgeons perform to prepare the jaw for a lasting implant. As your hometown, independently owned oral surgery practice, our team takes the time to determine whether ridge augmentation, a sinus lift, or another grafting approach fits your case before recommending a treatment plan.
What Is Ridge Augmentation?
Ridge augmentation is a bone grafting procedure that rebuilds the height and width of the jawbone after it has thinned or collapsed. This usually happens after a tooth has gone missing for months or years, as the bone that once supported the root no longer receives the stimulation it needs to stay strong, or after long-term denture wear has gradually worn the ridge down.
During the procedure, your surgeon places bone graft material along the weakened section of the ridge and often covers it with a protective membrane to guide new bone growth. Most grafts need several months to fully integrate with the surrounding bone before an implant can be placed on top, and your surgeon will confirm the graft is ready with follow-up imaging.
Signs You May Need Ridge Augmentation
Not every patient who loses a tooth needs this procedure, but certain signs make ridge augmentation more likely to come up during your consultation. Our surgeons evaluate your jaw structure, health history, and treatment goals using cone beam CT imaging before recommending any bone grafting method.
- Long-term tooth loss: A tooth that has been missing for an extended period often leaves the jawbone too thin or short to support an implant.
- Denture wear: Years of wearing a removable denture can accelerate bone loss beneath the missing teeth.
- Failed implant history: Patients who were told elsewhere that they lack enough bone for an implant may still be candidates once the ridge is rebuilt.
- Visible ridge collapse: A noticeably sunken or narrow area along the gum line can signal significant bone resorption.
If any of these apply to you, a consultation with our team can confirm whether ridge augmentation, sinus lift surgery, or a smaller grafting procedure is the right next step for your smile, and our surgeons can walk you through what treatment would involve in your specific case.
What to Expect During Treatment
Most ridge augmentation procedures are completed in a single office visit under local anesthesia or sedation, depending on the extent of the graft and your comfort level. Afterward, the graft material typically needs three to six months to fuse with your existing bone before a dental implant can be placed on top of it, and your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to track your healing along the way.
Our surgeons monitor your healing closely throughout this process and use imaging to confirm the graft has matured before moving forward with implant placement. Because every jaw heals differently, your treatment timeline may be adjusted based on how well the graft integrates, and our team will walk you through each stage of the process so you always know what comes next and what to expect at your following visit.
Trust Goodove Oral Surgery With Your Ridge Augmentation
A thinning jawbone does not have to close the door on a complete, confident smile. Our board-certified surgeons bring decades of combined training to bone grafting and implant procedures, and as an independent, locally owned practice, we have the flexibility to build a treatment plan around what is best for your case rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether you were referred by your general dentist or are exploring your options on your own, our Virginia Beach and Chesapeake teams are ready to walk you through the process from consultation to a fully restored smile. We also work with most major insurance plans and offer financing options, including CareCredit and Cherry Financing, to help make treatment more accessible. To find out if ridge augmentation is right for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation today.