Alveolar bone loss can occur after tooth extraction and/or trauma. Atrophy of the alveolar bone also may occur in areas of congenitally missing teeth, and adverse alveolar bone conditions also can result from advanced periodontal disease and failed endodontic therapy. When the resorptive patterns of the alveolar bone progress horizontally and vertically, a more lingually positioned ridge can result. It has been suggested that if the alveolar ridge...