When you lose teeth, and do not replace them, the jawbone deteriorates where the tooth socket once was. This makes it difficult, and in some instances impossible to get dental implants or dentures. The good news is that Dr. Train can perform a process called ridge augmentation to restore the bone structure that is needed for restorative procedures such as dental implants. The process involves carefully lifting the gum from the ridge to expose the affected area of the bone. Then Dr. Train will use a bone-like substance and a protective membrane to reconstruct the affected areas. The ridge augmentation greatly improves the appearance of the mouth and increases the chances for success with the implants. With ridge augmentation, your implants are likely to last forever.