Alveoloplasty (Bone Smoothing)
Alveoloplasty Ridge Smoothing is a specialized dental service provided by the board-certified specialists at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. Reshaping the jawbone ridge for comfortable denture fit or smooth healing after extraction.
Smooth Bone Means Comfortable Dentures and Predictable Healing
After teeth are extracted — especially multiple teeth — the remaining alveolar ridge is rarely smooth. Sharp bone spicules, undercuts, and irregular ridge contours make denture fabrication difficult and denture wearing painful. Alveoloplasty is the surgical recontouring of the alveolar ridge to create a smooth, rounded surface that provides a stable, comfortable foundation for a denture or other prosthesis. It is a straightforward procedure that makes a significant difference in prosthetic outcomes.
At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, alveoloplasty is frequently performed at the time of multiple extractions, particularly when the patient will receive immediate dentures. Dr. Ostovar evaluates the ridge preoperatively on CBCT to identify areas of irregular bone, sharp septal ridges between sockets, and bony undercuts that would prevent denture seating. During the procedure, a mucoperiosteal flap is improved, the bone is recontoured with rongeurs and bone files (and a surgical handpiece when needed), and the flap is repositioned and sutured over the smoothed ridge. The denture can often be placed immediately over the surgical site.
Alveoloplasty is also performed as a standalone procedure in patients whose ridges healed with irregularities after past extractions. A bony prominence, sharp exostosis, or undercut that causes a denture sore spot can be corrected in a 30-45 minute office procedure under local anesthesia. The healing is uncomplicated — soft tissue closes within two weeks, and the new denture or reline can proceed once the ridge stabilizes, typically in 6-8 weeks.
Serving Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro & Washington County
Aloha Dental Specialty Center is located at 18455 SW Alexander St, Suite A, in Beaverton, Or 97003egon. We serve patients from across the Tualatin Valley and greater Portland metro, including Aloha, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. Our Beaverton office is a 5-minute drive from Aloha, 10 minutes from Hillsboro, and 15 minutes from Tigard via SW 185th Avenue.
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Intel Campuses (Ronler Acres & Jones Farm)
10 to 15 minutes via NW 185th Ave. We accommodate the schedules of tech professionals who need efficient, high-quality specialty care.
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Nike World Headquarters
About 8 minutes via SW Baseline Rd. We frequently see patients from the Nike campus for surgical and implant procedures with sedation options.
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Streets of Tanasbourne & Orenco Station
Easily accessible via US-26 and NW 185th. Local general dentists in these communities regularly refer patients to us for specialty procedures.
Why Local Dentists Refer to Us
We work as a trusted partner to general dentists throughout the Tualatin Valley. When cases require CBCT-guided planning, IV sedation, bone grafting, or other advanced procedures, local providers refer to Dr. Ostovar for his fellowship-trained expertise and predictable results.
We handle the complex surgical phases and coordinate closely with your general dentist for smooth continuity of care from start to finish.
Understanding Your Investment
At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, we provide transparent pricing before any treatment begins. The cost of your procedure depends on clinical complexity, materials used, and sedation requirements. We walk you through every line item during your consultation so there are no surprises.
What Affects Cost:
- Clinical Complexity: Bone loss, sinus proximity, nerve involvement, or the need for grafting affects treatment planning and surgical time.
- Materials: We use research-backed implant systems, purified bone graft matrices, and high-strength ceramics from established manufacturers.
- Sedation: Options range from local anesthesia to IV sedation, each with different associated costs. We discuss the best option for your comfort and procedure.
Insurance & Financing
We accept most major dental insurance plans and file claims on your behalf. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment and submits pre-treatment estimates with clinical documentation to maximize coverage.
For out-of-pocket costs, we partner with CareCredit and Cherry for flexible payment plans. We also offer our ADSC Dental Savings Plan for patients without insurance.
Recovery & Healing Timeline
Understanding the healing process helps you plan ahead and follow post-operative instructions for the best possible outcome.
First 48 Hours
Mild swelling and tenderness are normal. Apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals and take prescribed or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Eat soft foods and avoid the surgical site when chewing.
Days 3 to 7
Swelling peaks around day three and then improves. The tissue begins closing over the surgical site. Continue with soft foods and use any prescribed antimicrobial rinse. Most patients return to normal activities during this phase.
Long-Term Healing
Surface tissue heals within two to three weeks. Bone integration and deep healing continue for three to six months. Avoid smoking, follow up as scheduled, and maintain good oral hygiene throughout recovery.
Questions during recovery? Call us at (503) 822-0096. We are available for post-operative concerns.
Ridge Morphology and Prosthetic Stability
A denture rests on the mucosal surface of the alveolar ridge and relies on intimate contact with the tissue for retention and stability. Irregularities in the underlying bone create pressure points — localized areas where the denture compresses the thin mucosa against sharp or prominent bone, causing tissue breakdown, ulceration, and pain. Additionally, bony undercuts prevent the denture from seating fully, creating gaps that reduce suction and allow food trapping. The ideal denture-bearing ridge is U-shaped in cross-section, with smooth contours, no undercuts, and adequate height and width to support the prosthesis. Alveoloplasty converts an irregular post-extraction ridge into this best form.
Why Choose a Specialist?
Alveoloplasty requires judgment about how much bone to remove. Too little leaves irregularities that will cause denture problems. Too much reduces the ridge height that provides denture retention and stability. The surgeon must balance immediate prosthetic needs against long-term ridge preservation, knowing that the ridge will continue to resorb over time and that every millimeter of height matters for future denture function. This is a decision that benefits from experience with both the surgical side (bone removal) and the prosthetic side (denture design and fit).
Your Alveoloplasty Ridge Smoothing Treatment Steps
- Consultation & Exam: Comprehensive alveoloplasty ridge smoothing evaluation with CBCT 3D imaging at our Beaverton office.
- Treatment Plan: Board-certified specialist discusses your alveoloplasty ridge smoothing options, timeline, and costs. Our procedures maintain a 95%+ success rate, backed by advanced 3D imaging and evidence-based protocols.
- Treatment: Procedure performed with comfort options including sedation if needed.
- Follow-Up: Post-treatment monitoring and care coordination for best healing.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Book a consultation with our board-certified specialists at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. Call (503) 822-0096 Office hours: Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 2 PM. or request an appointment online.
Related Services at Aloha Dental Specialty Center:
Dental Implants · Oral Surgery · Root Canal · Invisalign · Periodontics · Pediatric · TMJ Treatment · Sedation · Cosmetic · Emergency · Sleep Apnea
From Dr. Ostovar: What Patients Should Know
“I know oral surgery sounds intimidating — many patients tell me they’ve been putting this off for months or even years. Here’s what I want you to know: with IV sedation, you won’t remember anything. You’ll close your eyes, and the next thing you know, it’s done. Most patients say the anticipation was far worse than the reality.
Recovery depends on the complexity. For a straightforward case, you’re looking at 2-3 days of swelling managed with ice packs and ibuprofen, then gradual improvement over the following week. I recommend soft foods for 7-10 days — yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies. No straws, no smoking, no vigorous rinsing for at least 5 days.
I always use CBCT 3D imaging before any surgical procedure. A standard X-ray gives me a flat picture — the CT scan shows me exactly where the nerves are, what the bone looks like in three dimensions, and how to plan the safest approach. It makes a real difference in outcomes.”
— Dr. Merat Ostovar, DDS | Oral Surgery, Aloha Dental Specialty Center
Are You a Candidate for Alveoloplasty Ridge Smoothing?
Most patients in good general health are candidates for alveoloplasty ridge smoothing. However, certain factors may affect your eligibility or require modifications to the treatment plan:
- Medical conditions: Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or blood-thinning medications may require coordination with your physician before treatment.
- Bone quality: For alveoloplasty ridge smoothing involving the jawbone, adequate bone density is essential. A CBCT 3D scan during your consultation determines this precisely.
- Smoking: Tobacco use significantly impairs healing. We strongly recommend quitting 2-4 weeks before and after any surgical procedure.
- Age: There is generally no upper age limit. What matters is your overall health, not your age. We have successfully treated patients in their 80s and 90s.
The only way to know for certain is a consultation with our board-certified specialists. Call (503) 822-0096 to schedule your evaluation — we’ll tell you honestly whether this is the right treatment for your situation.
Typical Healing Timeline:
Days 1-3: Initial healing, mild swelling managed with ice and medication. Days 4-7: Swelling subsides, gradual return to normal diet. Weeks 2-4: Soft tissue heals completely. Months 2-6: Bone remodeling and full integration (for surgical procedures). Individual recovery varies — we provide detailed post-op instructions specific to your procedure.
For additional clinical information, visit the American Dental Association (ADA).
Last reviewed by our dental specialists: March 2026. Clinical information on this page reflects current evidence-based dental practices.
Related Dental Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is alveoloplasty?
Alveoloplasty is a surgical procedure that smooths and reshapes the jawbone ridge after teeth have been removed. It eliminates sharp bone edges, bony spicules, and undercuts that would make wearing a denture painful or prevent it from fitting properly.
When is alveoloplasty performed?
Most commonly, alveoloplasty is performed at the same time as multiple extractions in preparation for dentures. It can also be done as a separate procedure weeks or months after extractions if the ridge has healed with irregular contours that are causing denture problems or tissue irritation.
Is alveoloplasty painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is painless during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is mild to moderate — similar to an extraction. Swelling peaks at 2-3 days and resolves within a week. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient, though prescription medication is available if needed.
How long does alveoloplasty take?
As a standalone procedure, alveoloplasty takes 30-45 minutes. When performed in conjunction with multiple extractions, it adds approximately 15-30 minutes to the surgical time. The additional time is well worth the investment in achieving a smooth, denture-ready ridge.
Can I get my denture immediately after alveoloplasty?
Yes. Immediate dentures are often placed directly after extractions with alveoloplasty. The denture is fabricated in advance based on pre-surgical impressions. It serves as a bandage over the surgical site and allows you to leave the office with teeth. The denture will need relining as the ridge heals and remodels over the following months.
How long does healing take after alveoloplasty?
Soft tissue heals in 2-3 weeks. The ridge continues to remodel and settle for 3-6 months. During this time, denture adjustments may be needed as the ridge changes shape. A final reline or new denture is typically fabricated once the ridge stabilizes.
Does alveoloplasty reduce the height of my jawbone?
Alveoloplasty removes the minimum bone necessary to achieve smooth contours. The goal is to eliminate sharp edges and undercuts, not to reduce overall ridge height. The surgeon preserves as much ridge height as possible because taller ridges provide better denture retention and stability long-term.
What are bone spicules and why do they form after extractions?
Bone spicules are small, sharp fragments of bone that remain in the ridge after extraction. They form from the interradicular bone (the septum between tooth roots) and the socket walls. As the overlying gum tissue thins during healing, these sharp points can protrude through the tissue, causing pain. Alveoloplasty prevents this by smoothing the bone at the time of extraction.
Is alveoloplasty covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance plans cover alveoloplasty when it is performed in conjunction with extractions for denture preparation. It is typically coded as a separate surgical procedure. Coverage varies by plan, and we verify your benefits before the procedure so you know your estimated cost.
Can alveoloplasty be done under IV sedation?
Yes. When alveoloplasty is performed along with multiple extractions, IV sedation is commonly used for patient comfort. Standalone alveoloplasty can also be done under IV sedation if preferred, though local anesthesia alone is usually sufficient for smaller corrections.
What is the difference between alveoloplasty and tori removal?
Alveoloplasty reshapes the alveolar ridge — the bone that once held teeth. Tori removal removes bony growths (torus mandibularis or torus palatinus) that develop on the jaw or palate independent of tooth-bearing bone. Both are bone recontouring procedures, but they address different anatomical structures.
My current denture causes sore spots. Could alveoloplasty help?
Possibly. If the sore spots are caused by underlying bony prominences or sharp ridges that compress the gum tissue under the denture, alveoloplasty can correct the bone contour and eliminate the pressure point. A clinical and radiographic evaluation will determine whether the issue is in the bone or in the denture fit.
How much does alveoloplasty cost?
Alveoloplasty fees depend on the extent of bone recontouring needed and whether it is performed per quadrant or for the full arch. The procedure is typically less expensive than major bone grafting. We provide specific cost estimates after your consultation and imaging evaluation.
Are there risks associated with alveoloplasty?
Risks are minimal and include: infection (rare with antibiotic prophylaxis), numbness if the procedure is near the mental nerve (lower jaw), excessive bone removal (prevented by careful surgical planning), and delayed healing. Alveoloplasty is one of the lower-risk oral surgical procedures.
Can alveoloplasty be done on both jaws at once?
Yes. When full-mouth extractions with alveoloplasty are planned for immediate dentures, both the upper and lower jaws are treated in the same surgical session. This is a longer procedure and IV sedation is recommended for patient comfort. One surgery and one recovery period is preferable to two.
Getting Dentures? Make Sure Your Ridge Is Ready.
Call our Beaverton office or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you.
Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD
Doctor of Dental Medicine | Implant & Specialty Dentistry | 15+ Years Experience
Aloha Dental Specialty Center — Serving Aloha, Beaverton, Hillsboro & Greater Portland
Last updated: March 19, 2026