When there are no longer roots in a tooth socket, the edges around the socket can become jagged, sharp, or uneven. These can cause issues when it comes time to be fitted with a bridge, denture, or implant. Alveoloplasty is a surgical procedure where the ridges of the jawbone are re-contoured and modified. Alveoloplasties are typically performed following tooth loss or extraction. Having an alveoloplasty performed ensures that the dentures fit more comfortably, while also helping to regulate bleeding and improve healing following multiple tooth extractions.

Tori are small, benign growths of bone material that usually appear on the roof of the mouth (palate) or along the lower jaw (mandible). Since it is essentially a harmless bony growth, a torus is usually only removed if it brings discomfort to the patient, or to prepare for a dental prosthetic device such as dentures or implants. 

There are several reasons why tori are removed prior to dentures. For one, it can be difficult to fabricate dentures to accommodate tori. Secondly, when pressure from dentures is consistently applied to the mucosal surface, it can lead to inflammation, plaque build-up, discomfort, and — potentially — disease that could complicate your treatment. Infected tori can also lead to oral fibromas, non-cancerous tumors that — while not a threat to your health — can lead to annoyance and irritation.

Are you scheduled to have denture preparation in the Vancouver area and curious what all is involved? Give us a call to have your questions answered!