ridge augmentation
A surgical procedure that rebuilds deficient bone volume in the jaw to create a site capable of supporting a dental implant.
Full Definition
Ridge augmentation encompasses a range of bone-grafting techniques aimed at restoring the height and/or width of the alveolar ridge that has been lost through tooth extraction, trauma, or periodontal disease. Procedures may involve autogenous bone grafts, xenografts, allografts, or alloplastic materials, often combined with barrier membranes. The term is broader than 'guided bone regeneration' (GBR) and may refer to onlay grafting, distraction osteogenesis, or interpositional grafting as well. Editors should use 'ridge augmentation' as the preferred umbrella term and qualify with the specific technique where clinical precision is required. It should be written in lower case unless beginning a sentence.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'sinus lift', which specifically refers to augmentation of the posterior maxillary sinus floor. 'Ridge augmentation' is the preferred encyclopaedic term over colloquial 'bone grafting'.
In Context
- "Ridge augmentation was completed six months prior to implant placement to compensate for severe buccal bone loss." — Pre-operative treatment plan
- "The author used 'ridge augmentation' and 'bone grafting' interchangeably throughout the manuscript, requiring editorial standardisation to a single preferred term." — Manuscript editing note