Definition

Noun: * The bony ridge in the upper and lower jaws that holds the sockets for the teeth. It is the part of the jawbone covered by the gums.

Usage

• The term "gum ridge" is used primarily in dental, medical, and anatomical contexts to describe the specific alveolar structure of the jaw.
• It refers to the underlying bony architecture, not the soft gum tissue itself, though the gums cover it.

Examples

• After the tooth extraction, the dentist ensured the gum ridge had healed properly before fitting the denture.
• The dental implant must be securely anchored into the gum ridge for stability.
• A well-defined gum ridge provides better support for artificial teeth.

Advanced Usage

• "Resorbed gum ridge": A common term in dentistry referring to the gradual reduction in the height and volume of the alveolar bone after tooth loss.
  • Years of wearing ill-fitting dentures can lead to a severely resorbed gum ridge.

Variants and Related Words

• Alveolar Ridge (n): The formal anatomical and dental term for the gum ridge. These terms are often used interchangeably.
  • The x-ray clearly showed the condition of the alveolar ridge.
• Alveolar Process (n): Another technical term for the same bony structure.

Synonyms

• Alveolar ridge
• Alveolar process
• Dental ridge

Related Phrases

• Ridge resorption: The process of the gum ridge diminishing in size.
• Ridge augmentation: A surgical procedure to rebuild or increase the size of the gum ridge.

Noun

1. a ridge that forms the borders of the upper and lower jaws and contains the sockets of the teeth