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Preparing for dentures is about more than just the prosthetic itself—it also involves ensuring your jawbone provides a smooth, stable foundation.
Alveoloplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the bone to enhance denture fit and comfort. While not always necessary, it can significantly improve your experience with dentures.
Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
- When Is Alveoloplasty Necessary for Dentures?
- How Alveoloplasty Improves Denture Fit & Comfort
- Trust Foley & Le Oral Surgery for Expert Dental Care
- FAQs About Alveoloplasty and Dentures
Alveoloplasty is often necessary for full or partial dentures to create a smooth surface by reshaping the alveolar bone and removing sharp edges or bone spurs. Without it, dentures may cause gum irritation, sores, or frequent slipping, making it difficult to eat or speak comfortably. In some cases, alveoloplasty is also recommended before dental implants or implant-supported dentures.
When Is Alveoloplasty Necessary for Dentures?
Alveoloplasty is recommended when uneven bone, sharp edges, or irregularities in the alveolar ridge make denture fitting difficult.
Your oral surgeon may suggest this procedure in the following situations:
- After tooth extractions: Smoothing the bony ridge promotes healing and improves the fit of dentures.
- Significant bone loss or bone spicules: Reshaping the bone corrects irregularities that could cause discomfort or poor denture stability.
- Persistent sore spots or irritation: Uneven bone can create pressure points under dentures, leading to chronic irritation.
- Before dental prosthetics: Both traditional and implant-supported dentures (such as All-on-4 or teeth-in-a-day) require a stable base for long-term success.
How Alveoloplasty Improves Denture Fit & Comfort
A smooth alveolar ridge ensures dentures sit securely and comfortably. Without it, patients may experience:
- Denture slipping: Irregular bone surfaces can cause dentures to shift or feel unstable.
- Gum irritation & sore spots: Pressure on uneven areas may lead to pain and difficulty wearing dentures.
- Difficulty chewing or speaking: An uneven jaw bone can make it harder for dentures to stay in place, affecting your ability to chew food properly and speak clearly. This can lead to discomfort, difficulty eating certain foods, and a lack of confidence in social situations.
Alveoloplasty helps eliminate these issues by refining the bone structure, ensuring a better denture fit from the start.
Additional Benefits of Alveoloplasty
Beyond improving denture fit, alveoloplasty offers other advantages:
- Faster healing: Smoother bone surfaces encourage proper tissue healing after extractions.
- Long-term comfort: Prevents future issues like gum irritation and frequent denture adjustments.
- Improved Success for Implant-Supported Dentures: By smoothing irregular bone surfaces, alveoloplasty helps create a level foundation that improves the long-term stability of dental implants. This ensures a more secure fit and better integration with the jawbone if implants are placed in the future.
Trust Foley & Le Oral Surgery for Expert Dental Care
Dr. Thao Le, DDS, MD, and Dr. Benjamin Foley, DDS, are highly skilled oral surgeons with extensive experience in alveoloplasty and denture preparation. Their expertise ensures precise bone reshaping, creating a stable foundation for dentures that enhances comfort and function.
If you had alveoloplasty at Foley & Le Oral Surgery and have questions about your recovery or denture fit, contact us for follow-up care.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Boulder, CO, call (303) 444-2255 or visit us at 1420 28th St, #100, Boulder, CO 80303
FAQs About Alveoloplasty and Dentures
No, it often helps by ensuring proper healing and a better initial fit, reducing future adjustments.
The procedure is done using local anesthesia, with sedation options available. Post-surgery discomfort is minimal and manageable with pain medication.
Most patients can begin the denture fitting process within a few weeks, depending on healing progress.
Yes, it helps prevent gum irritation, pressure sores, and frequent adjustments by ensuring a smooth jawbone structure.
Yes, oral surgeons frequently perform alveoloplasty to improve denture fit and comfort.
