Ridge augmentation is often suggested when a patient has a large depression, cleft or crease in the gum which is ugly, distorts normal dental aesthetics or traps food. The condition is often treated prior to fabrication of replacement teeth or a new dental bridge. The purpose of ridge augmentation is to ‘build-up’ the gum tissue, allowing the dentist to create tooth replacements that emerge naturally from the gum with normal cosmetic proportions.
Esthetically pleasing, natural-looking teeth depend not only on the form and shade of the teeth, but also on the shape and contour of the surrounding gums. In areas where teeth have been lost, the bone and gum tissue in the area, lacking the natural support of dental roots, will often recede and shrink over time. If the tooth or teeth were lost due to infection, fracture or trauma, the damage to the underlying jawbone and gum can be particularly severe. This can result in a concavity, or indentation of the gum in the area. If new teeth are fabricated to the level of the damaged gum, the result will be out of proportion to the adjacent teeth and look artificial or unnatural.
Traditionally, gum tissue (connective tissue) from another area in the mouth, usually the palate, has been used as donor tissue for ridge augmentation. In some cases, particularly where large defects are present, other materials may be used in conjunction with or instead of the gum graft.
Ridge augmentation is a predictable procedure that will correct the defects caused by bone loss and gum recession in areas with missing teeth. More importantly, this procedure allows the chance to return the harmonious contours of the gums that existed before loss of the tooth, creating the opportunity for a natural and aesthetic new smile.
