NORTHERN COLORADO PERIODONTICS
RIDGE AUGMENTATION
& PRESERVATION
WHAT IS A RIDGE AUGMENTATION?
Restoring Strength, Reviving Smiles
Dr. Shumaker, Allen, and Sands can perform a Ridge Augmentation Bone Graft to regenerate the missing bone to provide enough support for your dental implant(s). Depending on how severe the bone loss is, the ridge augmentation bone graft will either be done prior to implant placement or in less severe cases can be done at the same time as the implant placement procedure.
With this procedure, additional bone is placed underneath the gum tissue, in the area where it has been lost. Dr. Shumaker, Allen and Sands may also use dissolvable collagen barrier growth factors to help stimulate the body’s own natural healing of the bony defect.
WHAT IS RIDGE PRESERVATION?
Protecting Your Jaw’s Foundation
Tooth extractions can be necessary when a tooth is too damaged, decayed, or infected to be saved. While removing a compromised tooth can relieve pain and prevent further complications, it also has drawbacks—most notably, bone loss. Without the tooth in place, the surrounding bone begins to shrink, potentially leading to aesthetic concerns and making future dental implants more challenging. In fact, up to 50% of the supporting bone can dissolve within the first year after extraction.
At Northern Colorado Periodontics, Drs. Shumaker, Allen, and Sands specialize in not only removing teeth with precision and care but also preparing your mouth for a seamless transition to a dental implant. Using advanced ridge preservation techniques, they gently extract the tooth while preserving as much bone as possible. They then place a bone graft—and, in some cases, growth factors—to stimulate natural regeneration and maintain the structure of your jaw. This proactive approach minimizes bone loss, reduces discomfort, and ensures the best possible foundation for a future dental implant, helping you restore both function and aesthetics with confidence.
Tooth Requiring Extraction
Ridge Preservation Graft
Healed Ridge Ready For Implant
ARE RIDGE AUGMENTATIONS/PRESERVATIONS SAFE?
Safe Solutions, Trusted Results
The bone used for ridge augmentation procedures is usually bottled bone obtained from an accredited tissue bank, preventing the need (in most cases) to take bone from other areas of your body. In some severe cases, the doctors may need to take some of your own bone from another area inside your mouth, but usually, this is not necessary.
Bottled bone grafts are extremely safe and have been in use in dental surgery for over 40 years without one single documented case of disease transmission. Tissue banks carefully screen donors and then extensively test and treat the bone graft materials before they are packaged and distributed. You can rest assured that our office only uses bone materials from tissue banks accredited by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER PROCEDURE
Smooth Recovery, Bright Future
As the ridge augmentation/preservation bone graft heals, it tells your body to grow new bone in the defect area. Over 3-6 months your body uses the grafted bone as a scaffold and turns it into your bone to produce an ideal quantity of bone to retain your dental implant(s).
WHY CHOOSE NOCO PERIO?
We Can Restore Your Confidence & Rebuild Your Smile
Ridge augmentation and preservation are one of our specialized services, designed to restore the natural shape and structure of your jawbone. After tooth loss or damage, the jaw can shrink or lose volume, creating challenges for dental implants and overall oral health. Ridge augmentation helps rebuild the bone ridge, creating a stable base for implants and restoring the natural contours of your smile.
Our process is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring comfort and effective results. Following the procedure, we work with you to promote optimal healing and gum health. This may include personalized hygiene recommendations, like using a sonic toothbrush, oral rinses, or pulse water therapy, to keep your gums healthy and prevent future issues.
If you’re considering dental implants—or have been informed you might need a bone graft prior to implant placement—please contact Northern Colorado Periodontics at 970-207-4061 to schedule an evaluation.
FAQs
About
Ridge Augmentation & Preservation
What is ridge augmentation and ridge preservation?
Ridge augmentation and ridge preservation are bone grafting procedures designed to rebuild or maintain the natural contour of your jawbone after tooth loss or extraction. At NOCO Perio in Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, these treatments help prepare the site for future dental implants and preserve facial structure for a natural appearance.
Why are ridge augmentation and preservation important?
When a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone can shrink quickly. Ridge preservation protects the socket immediately after extraction to prevent bone loss, while ridge augmentation rebuilds bone that’s already deteriorated. Our Fort Collins and Greeley specialists use these techniques to maintain a healthy foundation for dental implants or aesthetic restorations.
How are these procedures performed in Fort Collins and Greeley?
During ridge preservation, bone graft material is placed into the tooth socket right after extraction to maintain its shape. Ridge augmentation is performed later if bone has already been lost, using graft materials or membranes to restore volume. At NOCO Perio’s Fort Collins and Greeley offices, both procedures are done with precision and comfort using advanced regenerative technology.
What is recovery like after ridge augmentation or preservation?
Most patients experience mild soreness or swelling for a few days after the procedure. Healing typically takes a few months as the graft integrates with your natural bone. Our Fort Collins and Greeley teams provide detailed post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and readiness for dental implant placement.
How much do ridge augmentation and preservation cost?
The cost varies based on the size of the graft, materials used, and whether additional treatments (like implants) are planned. At NOCO Perio, we provide transparent pricing and detailed treatment plans during your consultation in Fort Collins or Greeley. Many insurance plans cover ridge preservation when performed for restorative reasons, and we offer flexible financing through CareCredit and Cherry®.
