Alveoplasty for Dentures

As part of the preparation for restoring patients’ teeth, we at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania sometimes must reshape the jaw ridge. This procedure is known as an alveoplasty, and it’s done to ensure that a denture or fixed bridge will be comfortable, stable, and not set patients up for bad oral hygiene.

After using our CT scanner to assess the patient’s current jaw shape, we’ll numb and sedate them. Gum tissue in the area where the bridge will eventually go will be cut away, exposing the jaw bone. Our office uses piezosurgery tools, which are extremely precise and allow bone tissue to be filed smoothly without endangering the surrounding nerves. The patient will not feel vibrations from the instruments and the surgical site will be constantly cleaned during the procedure. After the surgery, the gums will be sutured and allowed to heal.

It will usually take a few weeks for a patient who has undergone an alveoplasty to be ready for a denture or fixed bridge. We will want to be certain of the jaw ridge’s final shape before fabricating a prosthetic. By filing down the ridge, we can be sure that there will be enough vertical dimension for the replacement teeth and that the denture’s base will not be in an awkward concave shape that would trap food.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

What is an Alveoplasty?

Alveoplasty gets its name from the alveolar bone, which is the spongy portion of the jaw bone that includes the tooth sockets.  The goal of an alveoplasty procedure is to smooth or reshape the jaw bone.  For some patients, this is done to ensure a smooth, even surface for dentures to fit over.  This is also performed in combination with certain tooth extractions, in anticipation of an implant to replace the tooth.  Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is happy to help these patients with an alveoplasty.

The procedure begins by delivering local anesthetic, but some patients may opt for sedation.  After creating flaps in the gum tissue, the doctor is able to reach the jaw bone.  To trim the jaw bone we utilize a Piezosurgery unit, the advanced technology behind this tool allowing for precise contouring of the bone.  Once the surface of the jaw bone has been corrected the gum flaps are stitched, and healing is monitored by the dentist until the jaw bone can receive the implant or denture.

To learn more about alveoplasties and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.