Alveoloplasty
Pronunciation: al-VEE-oh-loh-PLAS-tee
A surgical procedure to reshape or smooth the alveolar bone (tooth socket ridge) in preparation for dentures or other prosthetics.
Full Definition
Alveoloplasty is an oral surgical procedure involving the reshaping, contouring, or reduction of the alveolar bone following tooth extraction or in preparation for prosthetic appliances such as dentures. It is performed to eliminate sharp bony prominences, undercuts, or irregularities that could impede healing or the fitting of a prosthesis. The procedure may be performed in conjunction with extraction (immediate alveoloplasty) or as a standalone secondary surgery. Editors encountering this term in operative notes or surgical reports should note the correct '-plasty' suffix spelling and avoid confusion with 'alveolectomy,' which refers to excision rather than reshaping. It is documented extensively in oral surgery operative reports and pre-prosthetic surgery records.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from 'alveolectomy' (bone removal) and 'alveolitis' (inflammation). The '-plasty' suffix denotes reshaping, not excision.
In Context
- "The operative report documented an alveoloplasty of the maxillary left quadrant to smooth the residual ridge prior to immediate denture placement." — Operative report
- "Editors should ensure 'alveoloplasty' is not conflated with 'alveolectomy' when proofreading pre-prosthetic surgical notes." — Editorial style guide