Ridge Split

The alveolar ridge is the bony ridge on both the upper and lower jaws that contains the sockets of the teeth. Establishing an alveolar ridge of proper dimensions has become essential with the advent of root-form endosseous dental implants, the most common type of implants.

The ridge-split procedure is a form of ridge widening or augmentation. In cases of narrow alveolar ridges, it has proven to be consistently successful. Use of this minimally invasive technique has many advantages in the preprosthetic stage of dental implants. Low risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury, less pain and swelling, and no need for a second surgical site as donor are among the benefits.

The ridge-split technique may requires a single surgical stage or a two-stage approach.

Procedures

  • 1.The alveolar bone is split from the alveolar crest (the upper end ridge for supporting the tooth)
  • 2.An implant is sandwiched within the split bone.
  • 3.New bone is regenerated within a period of 3 to 4 months to achieve integration with the implant.

An implant can be put in place at the same time as the lost bone and tissue are regenerated.