What Is An Alveoloplasty?

Tooth extraction can cause irregularities within your jawbone. If this is a problem, your dentist may recommend an alveoloplasty. 

What is Alveoloplasty?

Alveoloplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the alveolar bone. The alveolar bone is the bony ridge that holds the teeth in the upper or lower jaw.

An alveoloplasty is often performed after a tooth extraction. Dentists sometimes recommend this procedure since the surrounding bone may develop some irregularities after tooth extraction.

With an alveoloplasty, you can ensure a smooth and even bone surface. This decreases pain in the area and makes tooth replacement much easier, especially with a denture or implant.

What Happens During an Alveoloplasty?

An alveoloplasty involves reshaping the alveolar bone. You will be under local anesthesia during the procedure so that you don’t feel any pain.

During the procedure, your dentist will use a bone file or a burr on a handheld drill to contour the jawbone and create a smooth surface.

Benefits of Alveoloplasty

Some of the benefits of alveoloplasty include:

• Jawbone stability ⁠— Alveoloplasty eliminates bone irregularities and promotes proper healing. 
• Longevity of dental prosthetics — A properly contoured jawbone from alveoloplasty helps you achieve optimal tissue support for dental prosthetics, resulting in longevity. 
• Preserved facial esthetics — Alveoloplasty helps maintain the natural shape and structure of the jaw, which can contribute to an improved facial appearance in extreme cases.
• Enhanced chewing and speech abilities — Alveoloplasty helps create a more even and stable surface for dentures or other dental prosthetics.

How Does Alveoloplasty Affect Oral Health?

After getting an alveoloplasty, you can expect improvements in your overall oral health.

For instance, maintaining proper oral health is easier after receiving an alveoloplasty. It’s easier to brush and floss your teeth adjacent to an extraction site when the jawbone is properly contoured.

In the long run, this helps you avoid potential oral health issues like plaque buildup and gum disease. 

What Is the Alveoloplasty Procedure Like?

During an alveoloplasty procedure, you can expect the following to happen:

1. Every procedure will start with a consultation with your dentist and surgeon. They’ll assess your condition and candidacy for treatment.
2. Prior to starting the surgery, your surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the area to be operated on.
3. Incisions will be made on your gum tissue to expose the bone.
4. The surgeon will use specialized surgical instruments to carefully reshape and smooth the alveolar bone.
5. After achieving the desired bone shape, your surgeon will clean the surgical site and suture your gums.

Is Alveoloplasty Painful?

Alveoloplasty isn’t painful, but you may feel discomfort after the procedure. The local anesthesia helps prevent any pain during and immediately after the surgery.

How Long Does Healing Take?

The healing for an alveoloplasty surgery usually takes around two weeks. During this time, you should follow your dentist’s aftercare advice to ensure the area heals well. 

Recovery and Aftercare for Alveoloplasty

Always follow your surgeon’s advice to avoid complications from alveoloplasty. Some aftercare tips include:

• Avoid smoking and consuming any alcoholic drinks
• Stay away from any strenuous activities and exercise
• Avoid eating hard and sticky foods like nuts, popcorn, and chewing gum
• Take prescribed pain medication as directed by your surgeon to manage any discomfort
• Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent a secondary infection

What Are the Risks of Alveoloplasty?

Like other dental procedures, a few risks come with alveoloplasty. These include:

• Excessive bleeding — You can expect some bleeding after the procedure, but excessive bleeding may necessitate additional treatment.
• Infection risk — Infection can happen if the surgical site isn’t cleaned properly or if bacteria get into the site during or after the procedure.
• Numbness and tingling — This can happen when the nerves in your jaw are damaged during the procedure. The numbness and tingling can last a few months before subsiding or, in rare cases, even be permanent.
• Pain — Pain in the surgery site is a common side effect of alveoloplasty. This should resolve within a few days after the procedure.
• Sutures opening — In some cases, the sutures at the surgical site can open up too early. When this happens, you should seek medical care immediately.

Summary

Alveoloplasty is an oral surgery that shapes your alveolar bone. It helps recreate the natural contours of your gum tissue and underlying jawbone.

Remember to always consult your dentist before this procedure. You should also follow their aftercare instructions to avoid any unwanted complications.