Practical Tips for Alveolar Ridge Augmentation

Prosthetic rehabilitation of the partially or completely edentulous patientProsthetic rehabilitation of the partially or completely edentulous patient requires adequate height and width of the bony alveolar ridge, particularly when using dental implants. Resorption of alveolar bone after tooth loss occurs in buccolingual and apico-coronal dimensions but may be accelerated in patients with periodontal disease, periapical bone loss due to dental infections, and/or trauma. Without adequate bone, treatment options may be limited without completing a ridge augmentation procedure. The purpose of this chapter is to review the indications for alveolar ridge augmentation, the various available techniques, and ridge augmentation materials.