Oral Surgery

Bone Shaving (Alveoloplasty)

Whether you’re preparing for dentures, dental implants, or recovering from extractions, bone shaving, also called alveoloplasty, can help ensure a smooth, even foundation in your jaw to ensure total comfort with any restorative needs. At Perfect Smiles of Beverly of Beverly, we provide precise, gentle bone contouring to improve comfort, function, and long-term dental success.

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What is bone shaving or alveoloplasty?

Bone shaving, also known as alveoloplasty, is a minor surgical procedure used to reshape or smooth the jawbone. It’s often performed after tooth extractions or in preparation for a dental prosthetic like dentures or implants to ensure the best fit possible.

The goal of alveoloplasty is to:

  • Remove sharp or uneven bone edges
  • Create a smoother, more uniform surface
  • Improve the fit and comfort of dentures or implants
  • Reduce the risk of irritation, pressure sores, or complications later on

While it may sound intimidating, bone shaving is a routine, conservative procedure, and it is an important step when ensuring long-term oral health and comfort.

When is bone shaving needed?

Our team will always guide you through any procedures that we recommend and answer any questions you have prior to the procedure or treatment. Bone shaving may be recommended if:

  • You’re preparing for full or partial dentures, and your bone is too uneven
  • You’ve had tooth extractions, and sharp ridges remain
  • You’re getting dental implants and need a stable bone foundation
  • You’re experiencing discomfort with an existing denture
  • Bone spurs or fragments are interfering with soft tissue healing

In many cases, bone shaving is done at the same time as extractions or prosthetic preparation to streamline care and minimize recovery time.

What should you expect during a bone shaving procedure?

Bone shaving is typically performed under local anesthesia and may be done by a dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon depending on your treatment plan.

Here’s how bone shaving works: 

Evaluation and Imaging – We take digital scans or X-rays to assess bone shape and density.

Comfort First – Local anesthetic is applied to numb the area completely.

Smoothing the Bone – Specialized instruments are used to carefully remove or reshape excess or uneven bone.

Closure and Healing – The area is cleaned and sutured if needed, and you’ll receive home care instructions for a smooth recovery.

Most patients recover after a bone shaving procedure within 7–10 days, with only mild soreness that can be managed with over-the-counter medication.

Why precision matters during bone shaving

Proper bone contouring can make all the difference in the success of dentures, implants, or surgical healing. When the jawbone is uneven or sharp, it can lead to:

  • Poor denture fit or discomfort
  • Delayed healing after extractions
  • Soft tissue irritation or gum sores
  • Difficulty placing implants or achieving long-term stability

At Perfect Smiles of Beverly, we use gentle techniques and modern tools to shape bone conservatively and efficiently to ensure your next steps in dental care are as smooth as possible. If you’ve been told you need bone smoothing or are planning major dental work, we’re here to make the process clear, easy, and successful.

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Oral and Facial Surgery

We understand that Oral and Facial Surgery is a daunting treatment recommendation. That’s why we’re committed to your comfort. Rest assured our team is well equipped to handle every patient’s case. We offer a full range of oral and facial surgery procedures and care. We offer but are not limited to the following procedures: wisdom tooth removal, dental implants, dental extractions, bone grafting, oral pathology, maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery/distraction osteogenesis. Contact our team with any questions you have, we’ll be happy to help.

TMJ / TMD Treatment
Implant
Root Tip Removal
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Surgical Tooth Exposures
IV Sedation
Nitrous Oxide
Oral Cancer Biopsy
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