When the alveolar ridge (jaw bone) is too thin for conventional implant placement but sufficient height is present, ridge splitting expands the bone outward to create enough width. An alternative to block bone grafting for specific horizontal bone deficits.
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Ridge splitting (also called ridge expansion) is a surgical technique used when the alveolar ridge — the part of the jaw bone that supported your natural teeth — is too narrow horizontally for a conventional dental implant but has enough vertical height. The technique uses specialized osteotomes or piezo-electric instruments to carefully split the ridge along its length and gently expand it outward, creating enough width for implant placement at the same procedure or shortly after.
Ridge splitting is an alternative to block bone grafting for horizontal bone deficits. The advantage is no need to harvest bone from another site — the existing ridge is expanded rather than augmented with grafted bone. It's a less invasive option when the anatomy supports it. The technique works best in the maxilla (upper jaw) where the bone is more flexible and accepts expansion well.
Implants can sometimes be placed simultaneously with ridge splitting; in other cases the ridge is expanded first and implants placed after a 3 to 4 month healing period. The CBCT scan at your consultation determines whether ridge splitting is the right approach or whether a different augmentation technique would work better.
Ridge splitting cases follow a shorter timeline than block grafting — most over 4 to 8 months from consultation through final restoration.
CBCT confirms ridge anatomy — sufficient height, thin width, and bone quality that will accept expansion. We discuss whether ridge splitting or an alternative augmentation technique is right for you.
Under local anesthetic plus IV sedation (or GA for combined cases). The ridge is carefully split along its length and gently expanded outward. Implants may be placed at the same time if anatomy allows.
When implants are placed simultaneously, the timeline is similar to standard implant placement — 3 to 6 months for integration. When ridge expansion is staged separately, the ridge is allowed to heal 3 to 4 months before implants are placed.
For staged cases, conventional implants are placed in the expanded ridge after initial healing. Routine implant procedure at this point.
After implants integrate, the final crown or bridge is fitted. Total timeline from ridge splitting to permanent restoration is typically 4 to 8 months for combined cases, longer for staged cases.
Common questions about ridge splitting.
Bring previous imaging if you have it. We'll do our own CBCT and discuss whether ridge splitting or another augmentation approach is right for your case.