Edentulous  Ridge  Augmentation

(HA GRAFTING)

Edentulous ridge augmentation or grafting, is a procedure to increase the volume of the bone for implant or complete denture retention.  Alveolar bone is lost over time for many reasons, including wearing of complete dentures.  Edentulous ridge augmentation is then needed to increase the vertical height of bone for implant or complete denture retention.  Complete denture stability is directly related to vertical height of bone.  

Synthetic bone material composed of dense hydroxylapatite, H.A,. is used for ridge augmentation.   This grafting material is formed with beads of dense hydroxylapatite  strung onto resorbable suture strands, bound together to form a semiflexible cylindrical matrix that is implantable.  This synthetic bone is then placed next to the existing bone using a minor surgical tunneling procedure.  The dense H.A. will then rapidly unite with existing bone and tissue to restore normal form and ridge contour.  Complete dentures will then fit better and be more comfortable than the pre-grafted ridge.

This picture demonstrates a localized defect in the edentulous ridge.       The diagnostic cast clearly reveals the ridge defect.

The synthetic bone material is composed of dense hydroxylapatite beads strung onto resorbable suture strands, bound together to form a semiflexible cylindrical matrix. 

The flexibility of the matrix allows for contouring to the individual patient's anatomical ridge.

A diagnostic cast of the restored ridge defect.                                          The healed GRAFTED ridge.            

[Top]