by Rana Baroudi
Dr. Baroudi is a Board Certified Periodontist. She has successfully passed the American Board of Periodontology oral and written examinations covering all phases of periodontal disease, its treatment and dental implants. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Periodontology at UCSF where she enjoys teaching and lecturing on a bi-monthly basis.
Learn MoreWhen preparing for tooth replacement or looking to maintain a healthy jawbone after tooth loss, patients often hear about ridge preservation and bone grafting. These two procedures are essential in modern periodontics, yet many people aren’t sure how they differ or when each is needed. Understanding these options is crucial for anyone considering dental implants or seeking to preserve their oral health.
Ridge preservation is a procedure performed immediately after a tooth extraction. Its main purpose is to maintain the natural shape and volume of the jawbone where the tooth was removed. When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone begins to shrink—a process known as bone resorption. This bone loss can be rapid, especially in the first few months after extraction, and can create challenges for future treatments like dental implants.
Ridge preservation involves placing bone graft material directly into the empty socket right after the tooth is removed. This material encourages the body to generate new bone in the area, helping to prevent the collapse or shrinking of the jaw ridge.
Patients benefit from ridge preservation when they plan to replace a missing tooth in the future, especially with a dental implant. Maintaining the natural shape of the jaw ensures a more predictable result when it’s time to restore the tooth. In addition to functional benefits, ridge preservation also helps maintain the appearance of the gumline and facial profile.
The procedure is relatively straightforward. After extracting the tooth, Dr. Baroudi thoroughly cleans the socket and places a specialized bone grafting material into the area. A protective membrane may be used to cover the graft, supporting proper healing. The gum tissue is then positioned to protect the area as the site heals. Over the next several months, the grafted material serves as a scaffold for new bone growth.
Bone grafting is a broader term for surgical procedures used to rebuild or augment bone anywhere in the jaw. While ridge preservation is a type of bone graft performed at the time of extraction, bone grafting is often required in situations where bone loss has already occurred or where additional support is needed for dental restorations.
Bone grafting is necessary when there isn’t enough healthy bone to support a dental implant or to maintain the structure of the jaw. Bone loss can occur due to tooth loss, gum disease, trauma, or congenital conditions. If the jawbone is too thin or too soft, an implant might not be stable without first adding bone.
Bone grafting can also address bone defects in other parts of the jaw, including the back of the upper jaw where sinus augmentation may be required. Other procedures, like ridge augmentation, aim to increase the width or height of bone in areas that have been deficient for a long period.
The process involves placing bone graft material—sometimes taken from another part of your body, a donor, or a synthetic source—into the area of bone loss. The graft helps stimulate the body’s natural ability to grow new bone and, over time, becomes integrated with your existing bone. Healing time can vary from a few months up to nine months, depending on the extent of the graft and the area treated.
Ridge preservation is always performed immediately after a tooth extraction. Its goal is to prevent bone loss before it happens. In contrast, bone grafting can be performed at any time, often long after tooth loss has occurred or when more substantial rebuilding is needed.
Ridge preservation usually focuses on a single tooth extraction site and is designed to maintain the existing bone structure. General bone grafting procedures can address more extensive or complex areas of bone loss, including multiple sites or more challenging defects caused by long-term tooth loss, advanced periodontal disease, or injury.
Ridge preservation is preventive. It helps ensure that future treatments, especially dental implants, can be performed smoothly with less risk of complications. Bone grafting is both preventive and corrective, serving to rebuild bone when significant loss has already taken place.
After ridge preservation, the site generally heals within several months, leaving the area ready for an implant or bridge. Bone grafting procedures may require longer healing times, depending on the complexity of the case and the amount of bone being regenerated.
The right approach depends on your individual needs, oral health, and future treatment goals. Patients who are having a tooth removed and want to keep their options open for a dental implant will often benefit from ridge preservation. Those who have already experienced bone loss, or who require more extensive reconstruction before an implant or other restoration, may need bone grafting.
Not every extraction requires ridge preservation, but it is highly recommended if you are considering a future dental implant, or if maintaining the appearance of your smile is important to you. Without ridge preservation, bone loss after extraction is almost certain.
Both ridge preservation and bone grafting are performed with your comfort in mind. Mild soreness or swelling is common for a few days after treatment. Most patients can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief. Healing typically takes a few months, during which time the body creates new bone in the treated area.
All surgical procedures carry some risks, such as infection or delayed healing. However, both ridge preservation and bone grafting are well-established procedures with high success rates when performed by an experienced periodontist like Dr. Baroudi.
In some cases, alternatives may exist, such as placing shorter or narrower implants, but these options are not suitable for everyone. Ridge preservation at the time of extraction can often help you avoid the need for more complex bone grafting later on.
Choosing an experienced periodontist for ridge preservation and bone grafting is crucial for the success of your dental restoration and the long-term health of your jaw. Dr. Rana Baroudi at Cambrian Periodontics and Dental Implants uses advanced techniques and a patient-centered approach to help each patient achieve the best possible outcome.
