Oral Surgery to Protect Dental Hygiene

Gum disease, jaw and teeth misalignment, or dental accidents can ruin the functionality of the mouth. At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, we want to restore your smile to working order and make sure it is fully functional and in optimal health. Below are some oral procedures that will protect your dentition from bone loss, oral diseases, and misalignment.

Bone Grafting

This procedure has wide applications in aiding the dentition to be healthy. After losing a tooth or teeth, the jaw bone slowly deteriorates, and it can grow too weak to support other treatments like dental implants and bridges. In this procedure, your Lorton oral surgeon will place natural tissue into your jaw to support future tissue regeneration. Diseased or deteriorated bones can have tissue replaced which will protect your everyday oral function. This also prepares tissue for dental implant placement, ensuring long-term restorative success.

Teeth Extraction

Extracting teeth keep the whole mouth safe from infection and alleviate oral pain. As gum disease progresses into its more serious form of periodontitis, bacteria infect the supportive connective tissues that hold teeth in place.  As this support weakens, teeth become loose and often need to be removed in order to thoroughly treat the dentition and protect the health of the smile as a whole. Beyond periodontal disease, other reasons for extraction can include misalignment, dental fracture, and root canal failure.

Extraction is also recommended for patients suffering from impacted wisdom teeth. As most people don’t have enough room in their mouths for wisdom teeth, when teeth emerge their arches cannot accommodate the extra teeth. As a result, the molars become impacted (stuck) within the bone or gum tissue and can cause serious oral health issues.

Ridge and Sinus Augmentation

These are procedures are designed to restore structural integrity to the jaws. The ridge in your mouth refers to the area where teeth come out of the gums. This needs repair after having a tooth extracted, otherwise the jaw may appear uneven and will not be ready for future jaw bone surgeries.

Sinus augmentation is a procedure that improves the structure of the upper jaws. Your oral surgeon will make an incision and place bone grafting tissue to fill the space between the jaw bone and sinus membrane, creating a barrier that can accommodate eventual dental implant placement.

Learn More Today at Lorton Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery

Northern Virginia oral surgeon Dr. Snehal Patel is dedicated to providing all patients with the advanced oral surgeries needed to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. If you are looking for an oral surgeon in Lorton or Springfield, contact Dr. Patel to schedule your consultation. Our locations in Lorton and Springfield make receiving oral surgery a comfortable, convenient experience. 

Steps Toward Healthy Oral Surgery Recovery

Oral surgery is necessary for the placement of dental implants or even extraction of wisdom or infected teeth. Teeth may be impacted or trapped within the jaw bone, which damages neighboring teeth. Through surgery, however, there is an opportunity to remove and assess these problems.

After surgery, it is normal for the treatment site to be sore or tender for the first few days. However, over-the-counter pain medication, or pain medication that was specifically prescribed for your procedure, can relieve any discomfort you feel.

At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery, we ensure the highest level of comfort possible during procedures and provide advice on post-surgery oral care.

Here are suggestions for ensuring a healthy and speedy recovery following your oral surgery:

Rinse Frequently:

Keeping the blood clot in place is critical to ensuring successful recovery following teeth extraction. If the clot becomes dislodged, the bone and nerves are exposed, increasing pain. Exposure also leaves these tissues vulnerable to dry socket. To prevent this post-surgery infection, rinse your mouth as recommended by your oral surgeon and avoid touching the treated area.

Ice Regularly:

Post-treatment swelling can be extremely uncomfortable. To help alleviate some of the pain, be sure to apply ice packs at 15 minute intervals. Elevating the head and neck above the heart can also help reduce discomfort during recovery.

Stay Clean:

While patients should avoid brushing or floss teeth near the surgical area, that doesn’t exempt them from maintaining oral hygiene during the recovery. To ensure treated areas remain clean, remember to rinse gently using lukewarm salt water, especially after meals. When given the all clear by your surgeon to resume a normal hygiene routine, be gentle on your smile.

Watch Your Diet

Hot, crunchy, or hard foods can prolong the healing process, preventing patients from enjoying a speedy recovery. Until your smile heals, be sure to follow a well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins A and C.

 While these tips are common sense, make sure you follow them ensure optimum recovery time without any complications.Depending on the type of surgery you are recovering from, you may also receive additional instructions. Be sure to follow these directives closely and keep all post-treatment appointments to ensure proper healing. 

If there are any complications after surgery, whether or not they occur because of the above information, contact our office immediately. 

Contact us for more information!

Oral surgeon Snehal Dr. Patel, of Lorton, VA and Springfield, VA, and our medical staff are committed to providing care before, during, and after surgery. If you have any questions about healthy recovery steps after oral surgery, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery. 

Understanding the Dental Implant Treatment Process

Compared to traditional restorations like partials, full dentures, and bridges, dental implants and implant-based restorative treatments offer an innovative solution to replacing missing or severely damaged teeth. However, the longevity of this treatment is based on the success of each stage of the implant process. These unique phases include:

Planning
During this stage, advanced diagnostic tools are used to provide our dentist with an in-depth look at the condition of a patient’s smile. At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, cone beam digital imaging is used to generate three-dimensional models of the patient’s mouth and jaw bone. Not only do these tools allow our dentist to determine whether a patient is an ideal candidate for dental implants, but they also provide our oral surgeon with the means to plan the strategic placement of the implants.

For patients requiring preliminary treatment to strengthen the jaw bone prior to the placement of dental implants, cone beam imaging helps Dr. Patel to pinpoint areas of bone deterioration and incorporate necessary pre-treatments into the larger implant procedure to ensure long-term success.

Placement & Recovery
Once any preliminary bone grafting or ridge augmentation procedures have been completed, Northern Virginia oral surgeon Dr. Snehal Patel uses computer-guided surgery to precisely embed the implant into jaw bone. To help patients remain comfortable during this surgical procedure, our team offers several different sedation options.

During the recovery phase following implant placement, the implant and bone slowly merge, known osseointegration. The successful completion of this naturally-occurring phenomenon helps the implant become an integral part of the dentition. Over the course of recovery, patients visit our Lorton and Springfield practices to ensuring successful healing and integration.

Restoration
Towards the end of the recovery phase, visits to our oral surgery practices also include creation of the restoration. Depending on your oral health needs, the prosthetic you receive may range from a single porcelain crown to comprehensive arch replacement with a hybrid denture or implant-supported overdentures.

Schedule your Implant Consultation Today
Dr. Patel and his team are dedicated to helping patients find the right solution for their dental needs. With offices located in Springfield, VA and Lorton, VA, Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery offers diverse implant-based treatments tailored to meet your goals. We welcome new patients are well as referrals. To learn more about the long-term benefits of this restorative treatment plan, contact our oral surgeon today.

The Many Uses of Dental Implants

For many patients facing oral rehabilitation procedures, selecting the correct dental restoration can be an overwhelming process. In particular, identifying which treatment will most effectively improve the health and function of the smile without compromising other parts of the dentition can be an overwhelming task. Depending on the condition of your smile as well as your oral health goals, certain treatments may be more effective and efficient than others. Consider the following conditions:

Root Canal Therapy and Retreatment
Preventing reinfection following root canal therapy is an important component of the overall treatment. In most cases, patients are able to enjoy healthy, fully functional smiles and retain their original tooth by opting for a porcelain crown. However, in cases where the root is continuously becoming infected, patients may be better off from a health and functional perspective by removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.

Periodontal Disease
While this condition is better known for its impact on gum health, untreated gum disease can also affect the health of the jaw bone and teeth. In extreme cases, bacteria erode the bone tissue, causing it to become unstable and unable to support teeth. For patients experiencing the symptoms of advanced periodontal disease, extraction of the compromised tooth, bone grafting of the compromised area, and restoration with a dental implant may be the best option to prevent the disease from causing further damage to the bone and jaw.

Tooth Fracture or Crack
Restoring tooth function following a fracture is highly dependent on the position of the fracture or crack as well as whether bacteria has infected the inner pulp chamber, causing more serious dental infection. While minor fractures above the gum line may be easily remedied with a root canal and crown, more severe instances where the tooth has been severely compromised may require a more permanent solution to tooth replacement.

Extensive Arch Damage
In severe cases of damage and decay, entire arches of teeth may require replacement in order to help patients regain oral functionality. While dentures may seem like an ideal, financially sound idea, the long-term maintenance and replacement costs as well as the future health implications of this removable restoration can quickly outweigh any advantages. For these individuals, implant-supported dentures or hybrid dentures offer the security and stability of dental implants combined with the convenience of traditional dentures.

Dental Restoration Options in Northern Virginia
At the oral surgery practice of Dr. Snehal Patel, our team is dedicated to helping patients of varying oral needs find a restorative solution that addresses immediate dental needs while ensuring lasting oral health and hygiene. For more information about including dental implants or implant-supported dentures into your comprehensive treatment plan, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today.

Innovative Equipment: 3D Cone Beam Imaging

Personalized to each patient’s specific teeth replacement needs and designed to improve the overall health and aesthetics of each unique dentition, dental implants and implant-supported treatments represent the forefront of innovative restorative care. Recent years have also seen the technology used to perform these advanced procedures become much more advanced. In particular, the development and use of three-dimensional cone beam technology has opened to door for strategic dental implant treatment planning and placement.

What is Cone Beam Imaging?
Better known as cone beam computed tomography or CBCT imaging, this technology uses cone-beam shaped x-rays to take highly-detailed, three dimensional images of the patient’s teeth and facial skeleton.  As the diagnostic imaging tool rotates around the patient’s head, dentists are provided with scans of every angle of the mouth.

The Benefit of Cone Beam Imaging
When it comes to planning for extensive procedures, it is imperative that dentists have an in-depth understanding of each part of your smile. In particular, advanced procedures such as dental implant placement and wisdom teeth extraction involve altering or working with the underlying jaw bone in order to successfully complete treatment. As a result, the high quality images produced by this innovative dental technology allow dentists and dental specialists to plan strategic treatments that successfully incorporate all parts of the smile for optimal results.

Another benefit of CBCT imaging is the ability to identify potential dental issues. From identifying areas of deteriorated bone structure as a result of tooth loss to determining the cause of jaw misalignment, the comprehensive nature of CBCT scans allows dental teams and patients to proactively address dental conditions before they have the opportunity to negatively impact the smile. CBCT imaging can also be used to diagnose problems that originate in the head and neck region, including temporomandibular joint dysfunction as well as sleep apnea.

Comprehensive Treatment Development in Lorton and Springfield
At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, CBCT imaging is utilized to create personalized treatment plans for patients requiring extensive oral surgeries and other complex treatments.

Ranging from impacted wisdom teeth extraction to preliminary implant surgeries, this advanced dental technology allows our Northern Virginia oral surgeon to develop the most efficient and effective solutions for your unique health needs. For more information about the benefits of integrating CBCT scanning into your upcoming oral surgery, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today.

Dental Sedation FAQs

Thanks to sedation dentistry, many patients are now able to undergo routine and complex procedures in a safe and comfortable manner. With varying degrees and different methods of administering the relaxation medication, sedation treatment plans may vary based on each individual’s unique needs.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation is safe for almost all patients undergoing almost any procedure. However, the type of sedation you receive is based on a number of factors, including your medical history, age, and the nature of the upcoming procedure. Pre-existing conditions such as impaired lung or kidney function or sleep apnea may require a more advanced sedation such as IV sedation or general anesthesia in order to maintain the highest level of safety.

Can Children Undergo Sedation Dentistry?

Similar to adult sedation, pediatric sedation dentistry also comes in varying levels. For nervous or anxious children, our Northern Virginia oral surgeon frequently recommends the use of mild sedation such as Nitrous Oxide combined with a local anesthetic in order to ease the child’s nerves. In certain scenarios where the child is unable to sit still for the duration of the appointment or more extensive treatment is required to restore the child’s oral health, more extensive sedation may be needed. In these cases, Dr. Patel works with local pediatric dentists to help the child obtain the right treatment plan.

What is the Preparation for Dental Sedation?

When preparing to undergo a sedation-enhanced procedure, it is recommended that patients observe the following guidelines:

Nitrous Oxide:

• You may have a light meal four hours before your procedure.

Oral Conscious Sedation: 

• Take the medication at the time appointed by your treatment plan.
• Have a light meal prior to your procedure.
• Enlist the help of a family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment.

Intravenous Sedation: 

• Do not eat or drink anything for seven hours prior to surgery or as directed in your pre-op instructions.
• If you take any daily medications, inform your oral surgeon beforehand.
• Plan to have someone drive you to and from your dental appointment.

General Anesthesia 

• Avoid eating or drinking anything for seven hours prior to your appointment or as directed in your pre-op instructions. 
• Discuss your current medications with your dentist to ensure that none of your medications will cause complications.
• Have a friend or family member drive you home following your procedure.

Sedation Dentistry in Northern Virginia

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our goal is to ensure your comfort and safety throughout your dental procedure. To learn more about dental sedation and the available treatment options at our Lorton and Springfield dental office, contact our oral surgeon today. 

Bone Grafts 101

When it comes to preparing for dental implants, some patients may require extra treatment. At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, Dr. Snehal Patel and his team specialize in helping patients achieve long-lasting restorations through preliminary bone grafts.

What is Bone Grafting?

Dental bone grafts are used to recreate or reinforce bone in the jaw. There are different types of bone grafts, each which target a unique part of the bone structure. Among the most common and most effective bone graft procedures are

• Sinus lifts, which raise the height of the bone on the upper jaw
• Ridge expansion, which uses bone grafts to improve the structure of the jaw where the sockets sit, also known as the bone ridge.
• Socket preservation, during which sockets of extracted teeth are filled with material to prevent reabsorption into the jaw.

Why would I Need Bone Graft?

The jaw bone is the foundation of your smile and dental function. Your jaw is greatly affected by your oral health. Periodontal disease, misaligned bite, and cavities can all negatively affect the health of underlying bone. These conditions can cause the bone in the jaw to shrink. As the bone shrinks, the jaw fails to provide sufficient support for remaining teeth, which may fall out.

Bone grafts are especially beneficial for patients looking to improve their smile with dental implants. Since the implant post is surgically inserted into the jaw, the bone must be strong enough to support the post and the restoration. Patients with insufficient bone quality may require bone grafting procedures prior to implant placement, to ensure that their restoration is successful and long lasting.

What materials are used in bone grafts?

The materials used in dental bone grafts fall into three classes, based on how they are integrated into the bone.

• Autogenous bone grafts utilize the patient’s bone taken from another part of the body. Because the bone is from the patient’s body, autogenous bone grafts encourage bone growth and have a high integration success rate.
• Allogenic bone grafts are dental grafts taken from a donor. As the bone contains no live cellular activity, allogenic bone grafts serve as framework around which the patient’s existing bone can grow.
• Xenogenic bone grafts are taken from a non-living, non-human species. Similar to allogenic bone grafts, xenogenic bone grafts provide a foundation for the patient’s bone to regenerate around. Both allogenic and xenogenic bones undergo extensive preparation to minimize rejection when placed in the jaw.

In addition to these bone-based materials, synthetic bone grafts can also be used as a safe and successful alternative to actual bone. These include demineralized bone matrices, graft composites, and bone morphogenetic proteins.

Bone Grafts in Northern Virginia

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our dental team specializes in providing patients with exceptional dental care. For more information on our bone grafting options and dental implant procedures, contact our Lorton and Springfield practices today.

Preparing for Dental Implants: Sinus Lift

For patients looking to improve their smile with dental implants, ensuring healthy, long-lasting results can sometimes require the additional dental procedures to address bone density problems. At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, Dr. Patel and his team specialize in helping patients overcome weakened jaw bones through a number of surgical procedures. Among the most effective procedures used to prepare for dental implants is a sinus lift.

What is a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw, between the maxillary sinuses, near the molars and premolars. This raises the sinus floor and encourages bone growth. The procedure is especially important for patients with insufficient bone quality to support dental implants.

Why are Sinus Lifts Required?

In some patients, the tooth roots on the upper arch extend into the maxillary sinuses. As the bone separating the sinuses from the mouth is very thin, it cannot support dental implants without reinforcement. Candidates for sinus lifts procedures include:

• Patients missing multiple teeth at the rear of the upper arch
• Patients with insufficient bone at the back of their jaws
• Patients missing teeth due to developmental deformities or dental trauma

What Happens During a Sinus Lift?

When preparing for a sinus lift, a number of CT images will be taken of your teeth and jaw. This allows Dr. Patel to determine how much bone grafting will be required in order to sufficiently augment the jaw bone, as well as the best location to place grafts.  

During this surgical procedure, a small incision is made into the jaw bone. The grafting material is then placed below the sinus membrane, thereby increasing the thickness of the bone in the upper jaw.

Over the course of recovery, the graft gradually fuses into the jaw, reinforcing weakened bone and creating a stable foundation for future permanent restorations. Once the treatment area is completely healed, patients can return for implant placement, although some patients may be eligible for placement immediately following the sinus lift procedure.

Sinus Augmentations in Northern Virginia

For some patients, sinus lifts may be the most effective method of preparing the jaw for dental implants. To learn more about this surgical augmentation, contact our Lorton or Springfield practices today.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are often an annoyance that can cause serious dental problems. A question that often plagues dental patients is, if wisdom teeth have no function, why haven’t they made their evolutionary exit?

Was there ever a need for wisdom teeth?

Among archaeologists, there is a common belief that third molars were used by our prehistoric ancestors to accommodate a diet of tough food like leaves, roots, nuts, and raw meats. When combined with a broader jaw, wisdom teeth allowed prehistoric man to survive.

However, as humans evolved, the development of food preparation techniques, as well as tools to eat with, allowed man to create foods that were easy to eat. With no need for the broad jaw and extra molars, evolution gradually led to the narrowing of the jaw. As a result, fewer and fewer wisdom teeth were able to emerge through the gums.

Why do wisdom teeth appear so late in life?

Development of teeth happens in stages. Just as baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, wisdom teeth are the next evolutionary dental milestone. While they may not erupt until young adulthood, the third molars begin developing around the age of 10. However, by the time wisdom teeth are ready to emerge, many people do not have enough space in the jaw to accommodate the molars. As a result, the teeth become impacted and push against existing alignment in an effort to break to the surface.

When should I get my wisdom teeth removed?

Not everyone needs to get their wisdom teeth removed. For a rare few, the jaw and dental arch are wide enough to allow wisdom teeth to emerge and exist without disturbing dentition. However, most patients find that wisdom teeth become impacted or partially impacted teeth and painful, as well as detrimental to any prior bite alignment work they may have completed.

It is recommended that wisdom teeth are removed before the roots are fully formed and the jaw hardens, typically between the ages of 17 and 23. If you are considering wisdom teeth removal, contact our Lorton orSpringfield office to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction. 

Recover Correctly from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Recovering from any surgical procedure requires rest and following doctor’s instructions; wisdom teeth extraction is no exception. In order to minimize post-treatment discomfort and ensure a successful recovery, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts to consider.

Post-operational Dos

•  Replace the gauze placed over the wound every few hours. If bleeding continues beyond the first 24 hours, call Dr. Patel to schedule an emergency follow-up appointment.
• Use ice packs for the first 24 hours. Try holding the packs outside your cheek for 15-20 minute increments at a time. After the first day, you can apply a warm washcloth to the outside of your cheek for the following days.
•  Stick to soft foods. Wait to reintroduce solid foods into your diet until the healing process is well underway.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. Try mixing 1tsp of salt water with 8 ounce of warm water.
• Take Motrin or other pain reliever to soothe any discomfort. General discomfort is expected during the post-operational stage, however many of our patients find their pain easily managed with over-the-counter medication. If you find the extraction site particularly sore, Dr. Patel recommends trying SockIt! Gel. When applied inside the socket, the oral gel effectively numbs the area. 
• Maintain your oral hygiene regimen. It is recommended that you brush your teeth post-operation to remove any bacteria and plaque build-up. Remember to be gentle around the surgical sites.

Post-operational Don’ts

•  Avoid lying flat, as this may prolong bleeding.
• Do not smoke cigarettes or use a straw for the first few days following surgery, as the suction force can prevent clotting. Smoking can also introduce bacteria to the surgical site, increasing your chances of post-operational infection.
• When possible, do not touch the wound. Prodding it with your tongue or fingers can introduce bacteria to the surgical site, increasing your chances of infection as well as slowing recovery time.
• Limit physical activity. While you might feel fine once the initial symptoms have worn off, it is important to remember that you are in the post-operative stage. Physical exertion can increase bleeding and prevent the wound from clotting.

During recovery, it is important to remember is not to rush the process. While the procedure may have been minor, your body is still recovering. Ignoring post-surgery instructions can cause other complications to arise, such as dry socket, infection, or damage to the surrounding teeth, jaw, or nerves.

By fully following Dr. Patel’s post-operation instructions, you can enjoy a successful post-wisdom teeth surgery recovery. For more information on wisdom teeth extraction, contact our Lorton and Springfieldoffice to schedule an extraction consultation. 

Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

It is important that wisdom teeth are removed early. Waiting to remove wisdom teeth can put patients at risk of dental infection, gum disease, and jaw alignment problems, compromising the patient’s oral and overall health.

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, our highly skilled surgical team is dedicated to helping patients prepare for upcoming wisdom teeth extraction.

What happens in the procedure?

The process of removing wisdom teeth is relatively straightforward. During the initial consultation, Dr. Patel uses an iTero intraoral camera to obtain highly detailed images of the patient’s dentition.
Using this cutting-edge technology, he is able to determine if teeth are impacted and in what direction they are growing. This scanning method allows Dr. Patel to strategize the best way to extract third molars without damaging the surrounding teeth or tissues

To remove the teeth, Dr. Patel applies a local anesthetic to numb the area around the wisdom teeth. A small incision is then made in the gum tissue over the tooth and any overlying bone is removed. The connective tissue attaching the tooth to the jaw bone is separated and the tooth is removed. For easier removal, Dr. Patel may cut the tooth into smaller pieces. Once the wisdom tooth and its fragments are completely removed, the gum is stitched back together and gauze is placed over the treatment site.

What are my sedation options?

We recognize that some patients may feel anxious over the prospect of being awake during extraction. At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, Dr. Patel and our surgical staff are trained to offer patients intravenous (IV) sedation during their wisdom teeth procedure. Due to the amnesiac side effect of IV sedation, patients are conscious and responsive during the procedures, but will not remember having their teeth removed.

Sedation options are discussed during the first consultation with Dr. Patel. Before wisdom teeth extraction, patients must refrain from consuming food and drinks (including water) starting at midnight the night before the procedure. We also require IV sedation patients to bring a driver with them to the appointment. The driver must stay in the office the full appointment time and be able to take the patient home.

If you are exhibiting discomfort caused by wisdom teeth, contact our Lorton and Springfield offices for further information on preparing for wisdom teeth extraction. 

Preparing for Dental Implants - Ridge Modification

When it comes to restoring dental function with dentalimplants, insufficient bone density may require some patients to seek more preliminary treatment to prepare the jaw for successful implant placement.

Ridge modification is among the most effective methods of creating a solid foundation for dental implants. Not only can the procedure correct distortion caused by dental trauma or infection, but it can also remedy chronic distortion caused by developmental defects.

What is Ridge Modification?

Ridge modification, also known as ridge augmentation or ridge expansion, is a surgical procedure that aims to correct the shape of the jaw bone ridge and gum line. By creating a consistent and stable ridge, this grafting procedure widens the area available for implant placement.

What is the Ridge Modification Procedure?

There are two types of ridge expansion procedures, each with unique benefits:

Hard tissue: Hard tissue expansion is used to reconstruct the bone structure in the affected area. After an incision is made, the bone grafting material is inserted into the damaged area to recreate the improved ridge shape. To keep the bone graft in place and encourage healthy bone formation, biocompatible titanium mesh may be used.
        

Soft tissue: This procedure is designed to improve the appearance of a deteriorated area before the final restoration. During soft tissue ridge expansion, a soft tissue graft is sutured into place at the treatment area. The donated soft tissue may be taken from another place in your mouth, such as the palate, or may be a fabricated soft tissue substitute. Often, soft tissue ridge modification is used in combination with hard tissue ridge expansion to ensure a natural looking smile following the final restoration.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Ridge Augmentation?

Recovery time is dependent on a number of factors, such as the size of the augmentation and patient health. If ridge modification is required for implant placement, your oral surgeon may recommend waiting until the graft is fully integrated into the bone to ensure a stable foundation before placing the implant.

While recovery time may vary per patient, the results are consistent for every patient. By reinforcing the weakened jaw structure, a ridge expansion procedure creates a stable foundation for long-lasting dental implants. This new stability helps improve not only the overall dental function and the aesthetic appeal of your new smile.

Ridge Expansion in Northern Virginia

For more information about the benefits of ridge augmentation, contact the dental team at Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery. Dr. Patel is available to help you choose the right dental restoration for your smile.