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If you are preparing for dentures, you may have heard your dentist mention alveoloplasty. While not every denture patient needs alveoloplasty, it can make a significant difference in your comfort and the long-term success of your dentures.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Alveoloplasty?
- Creating a Stable Foundation for Dentures
- Schedule an Alveoloplasty Consultation in Deer Park, IL
- FAQs
What Is an Alveoloplasty?
Alveoloplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes and smooths the alveolar ridge, the bony ridge that once held your teeth. After a tooth extraction, this ridge doesn’t always heal into a smooth, even surface. Sometimes it develops:
- Sharp, jagged edges
- Bony protrusions called bone spicules or bone spurs
- Uneven contours
- Prominent ridges or undercuts
The procedure smooths and reshapes the bone to prepare it for a stable denture fit.
When Alveoloplasty Is Necessary
Alveoloplasty is recommended when the jawbone heals unevenly after tooth removal or shows sharp or irregular contours on an X-ray. It is often needed in cases where:
- Extractions were performed in multiple stages
- The bone has sharp edges that could irritate gum tissue beneath a denture
- The ridge is too uneven to provide stable support for dentures or other restorations
- Immediate dentures or tooth replacements are planned after extractions
Performing alveoloplasty during the extraction procedure can reduce recovery time and eliminate the need for a second surgery.
Creating a Stable Foundation for Dentures
A properly shaped jawbone is the foundation for both traditional and implant-supported dentures. By correcting uneven areas and restoring natural contours, alveoloplasty allows the bone to support prosthetics more evenly and comfortably.
Benefits include:
- Improved stability: Dentures and implant-supported restorations stay secure while you eat and speak.
- Greater comfort: A smooth ridge prevents gum irritation and sore spots.
- Better function: Even bone support allows for more efficient chewing and a natural bite.
- Long-term fit: Balanced bone structure helps dentures maintain accuracy over time, reducing the need for relines.
- Healthier bone: Even distribution of pressure helps preserve bone and slow resorption.
Alveoloplasty is a small but important step in ensuring dentures fit comfortably and function as intended.
Schedule an Alveoloplasty Consultation in Deer Park, IL
Proper bone contour is essential for the comfort and stability of both traditional and implant-supported dentures. During your consultation, our surgeons will evaluate your jawbone and discuss whether alveoloplasty can help create a smoother, more supportive foundation for your restoration.
To book a consultation at our oral surgeons office in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or visit us at 21660 W. Field Parkway, Suite 220, Deer Park, IL.
FAQs
In most cases, small dissolvable stitches protect the surgical site and help the gum tissue heal properly. These stitches usually dissolve within one to two weeks on their own.
Most patients recover within two to four weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure and how well they follow post-operative instructions. The area may feel tender for several days, but discomfort typically improves steadily as healing progresses.
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during surgery. Mild soreness or swelling afterward is normal and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication or a prescription provided by your surgeon.
If you live in or around Deer Park, Barrington, or the Greater Chicago area, schedule an appointment with Oral Facial & Implant Specialists. Call (847) 381-0106 or fill out the inquiry form.
