Tooth loss causes significant defects in the alveolar bone whose effects lead to further loss of neighboring teeth. To avoid this, doctors advise patients to do ridge regeneration in order to restore the lost bone and expand the surface area where dental implants will be fitted. With dental implants, you can repair and maintain the performance and structure of your mouth. Ridge regeneration involves an invasive procedure that seeks to regrow the affected jawbone and tissue. Given the complex nature of this procedure, it must be performed by a professional oral surgeon who understands the intricacies of the process. Your doctor will insert a biocompatible sheath between your gum and jawbone to serve as a barricade when performing this procedure.
The barrier halts any possible down growth of your gum into the core bone as it continues to heal. Sometimes, the doctor may place tissue-stimulating proteins under the barrier to boost bone and tissue’s natural regeneration. This membrane is designed to reabsorb after several weeks. There are numerous options for bone grafts used in ridge regeneration. These grafts are usually obtained from autologous sources such as bones from your own body, donors, and other external sources. Most bone grafts for ridge regenerations are harvested from the hip, chin, and the jaw area. Previously, allograft bones used to be harvested from dead bodies and kept in specially designed bone banks. Today, artificial bone grafts have become readily available thanks to the advancing technology in dentistry. These grafts are made from ceramic materials lie calcium phosphate, bioglass, and calcium sulfate. These materials are organically active and can be combined with growth irons like strontium and bone marrow aspirate for improved biological activity, which is necessary for bridge regeneration. For this process to be successful, the doctor will create a flap on your gum tissue, full of thickness. This is achieved by making an incision in the area where bone augmentation needs to be done. But if the doctor can easily access the flawed bone, they will place the bone graft and reinforce it with a membrane to keep it in place. The membrane is normally anchored with tacks so that it doesn’t move an inch during recovery. Once the installation is complete, the doctor will close the flap over the sheath and stitch it up. The regeneration process takes about 12 weeks to be complete.