Rebuilding bone width for secure implants
When the jaw has narrowed after tooth loss, ridge expansion gently widens the bone to create a stable foundation for dental implants — making treatment possible where it once was not.
3D-Guided Surgical Planning Ridge expansion, sometimes called ridge augmentation or ridge splitting, is a procedure that increases the width of the jawbone, or alveolar ridge, so that a dental implant can be placed securely. After a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone naturally narrows over time, and in some cases it becomes too thin to support an implant without first being rebuilt.
This procedure restores the bone foundation needed for a long-lasting implant result. By carefully widening the ridge and supporting it with grafting material where required, we create a stable site that can hold an implant in the correct position for both function and appearance.
Precision planning with 3D imaging
Every ridge expansion begins with detailed three-dimensional cone-beam imaging, which allows our surgeons to assess the exact width, height and quality of your bone. This planning is essential to a safe, predictable procedure and helps us protect important structures such as nerves and the sinus while positioning any future implant with accuracy.
- Restores width to a ridge that has narrowed after tooth loss
- Creates a secure foundation for one or more dental implants
- Guided by precise 3D cone-beam imaging and surgical planning
- May be combined with bone grafting for added support
- Often makes implant treatment possible where it was previously ruled out
What the process involves
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, with intravenous sedation available for a more deeply relaxed experience. The ridge is gently widened to create space, grafting material may be added to encourage new bone formation, and the site is then closed to heal. In some cases an implant can be placed at the same time, while in others the bone is allowed to mature first before the implant is positioned.
Healing is a gradual biological process, and we will explain your individual timeline clearly, as it depends on the technique used and your own healing response. Most patients find the recovery very manageable, with mild swelling and tenderness that settles within a few days and is well supported by the aftercare we provide.
If you have been told that there is not enough bone for an implant, ridge expansion may change what is possible for you. We invite you to book a consultation so we can review your imaging and explain a clear, step-by-step path toward restoring your smile.
Ridge Expansion — your questions
For many patients who were previously told their bone was too narrow, ridge expansion can create the width needed to place an implant securely. At your consultation we will review detailed 3D imaging and explain exactly what is achievable in your case.
Yes. Ridge expansion is a well-established procedure, and our use of 3D cone-beam imaging and careful surgical planning allows us to work precisely while protecting nearby nerves and structures. Your safety guides every stage of treatment.
This varies. Sometimes an implant is placed during the same procedure, while in other cases the bone is allowed to heal and strengthen first, often over a few months. We will outline your specific timeline clearly before treatment begins.
Discuss ridge expansion with our team
Specialist assessment, 3D imaging and a calm, clearly-explained plan — arrange a consultation with the team at Maxilla Surgical Arts.