Alveoloplasty

Alveoloplasty is a minor oral surgical procedure that reshapes and smooths the alveolar ridge, the bony ridge that contains the tooth sockets, after tooth extraction, injury, or to correct irregularities. The process involves removing or contouring excess bone and smoothing sharp edges to create a stable and even ridge that improves comfort and provides a better foundation for dentures, bridges, or implants; it is usually performed under local anaesthesia and can be done at the time of extraction or as a separate procedure.

Recovery generally involves mild swelling and discomfort for several days, with guidance to rest, avoid strenuous activity, and follow oral hygiene and wound-care instructions to reduce infection risk; stitches may dissolve or be removed at a follow-up. In some cases, alveoloplasty is combined with or followed by other procedures such as socket preservation or bone grafting when additional bone volume is needed, and possible risks include bleeding, infection, altered sensation, or the need for further contouring if healing does not produce the desired ridge shape.