Reading time: four minutes.
All-on-4 dental implants are known for transforming smiles, but behind every stable, comfortable result is careful planning and preparation. One of the most important steps is something most patients have never heard of: alveoloplasty.
In this blog, you will learn why alveoloplasty is often a necessary part of the All-on-4 procedure, how it helps ensure long-term success, and what to expect during recovery.
Table of Contents
- What Is Alveoloplasty?
- What Is the All-on-4 (AKA Teeth-in-a-day) Procedure?
- Schedule a Consultation With Our Oral Surgeons in Boulder, CO
Alveoloplasty is often a necessary part of the All-on-4 process because it creates space for a thick, durable prosthesis and helps ensure implant stability. Unlike other full-arch options that rely on bone grafting, All-on-4 uses bone reduction to simplify treatment, improve fit, and support long-term success.
What Is Alveoloplasty?
Alveoloplasty is a surgical procedure that smooths the bony ridge in your mouth, also known as the alveolar ridge, so it can support a denture. Oral surgeons perform this procedure to remove sharp edges, reduce uneven bone, and create a stable base for dental prosthetics.
It is often done:
- After multiple tooth extractions
- Before placing dentures or implants
- Alongside other oral surgery procedures
For All-on-4 patients, the alveoloplasty procedure is often built into the treatment plan to support successful dental implant placement and improve oral health outcomes.
What Is the All-on-4 (AKA Teeth-in-a-day) Procedure?
All-on-4 is a type of full-arch dental implant restoration that replaces all the teeth on the upper or lower jaw using four or more strategically placed dental implants.
Unlike traditional methods that require vertical implant placement and more bone volume, All-on-4 uses angled implants in the front of the jaw where bone is typically stronger. These angled implants provide stable support for a fixed prosthesis and often eliminate the need for significant bone grafting or sinus lifts.
Key advantages include:
- Fewer implants required
- Faster recovery
- Immediate denture placement in many cases
- Long-lasting full-mouth restoration
But for it to work, the implants and prosthesis need a flat, stable foundation in the jaw bone.
Why Does All-on-4 Require Alveoloplasty?
Alveoloplasty ensures the bone is smooth and even so the denture fits properly and does not cause pain. But it is also essential for structural and mechanical reasons unique to All-on-4.
Here is why this step is essential:
- Removes uneven bone after extractions: After teeth are removed, the sockets left behind are often uneven or jagged. Alveoloplasty reshapes these areas to create a more uniform surface, which improves the fit of the denture and reduces the risk of complications like gum sores or pressure points.
- Creates the space needed for the prosthesis: The All-on-4 prosthesis is a hybrid denture. It is one solid piece, typically milled from zirconia, that replaces both teeth and gum tissue. For durability, it must be thick enough to resist breaking, typically around 15–18mm. If a patient does not naturally have this much space between the jawbone and the opposing arch, bone must be removed to make room. This is a major reason alveoloplasty is performed.
- Improves implant placement: All-on-4 relies on precise angles and locations for implant placement. If the alveolar ridge is lumpy or misshapen, the dental implants may not integrate well or the final prosthesis could be unstable.
- Prevents pressure sores and discomfort: Sharp bone edges beneath a denture can cause ulcers or sore spots over time. Smoothing the ridge creates a smooth surface that prevents irritation and promotes proper healing of gum tissue.
- Promotes long-term success: The alveoloplasty procedure enhances how the bone and gums heal together. It reduces the risk of implant failure, denture movement, and infection. Creating a stable base helps improve long-term success rates of All-on-4 implants.
Without this step, dental treatments like implant-supported dentures or removable dentures may not fit well, leading to chronic pain, denture fracture or poor oral hygiene.
Why Not Just Add Bone Instead of Removing It?
Some patients wonder why grafting cannot be done instead of removing bone. Other protocols like full-arch bridges with no artificial gum do rely more on bone grafting and more implants for support. But these alternatives require more bone in the back of the jaw and often involve longer treatment timelines with multiple surgeries.
All-on-4 is designed for patients who want to avoid sinus lifts or long grafting procedures. It places angled implants in the front of the mouth where bone is usually stronger and more plentiful. To support the prosthetic design, alveoloplasty is done to reshape the bone for a thick, durable denture.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Oral Surgeons in Boulder, CO
Understanding why alveoloplasty is often necessary can help you make an informed decision about your treatment. While other options exist, All-on-4 is specifically designed to simplify the process and avoid complex grafting procedures, making it a strong choice for many patients seeking faster, long-lasting results.
Dr. Thien-Thao Le and Dr. Benjamin Foley have helped countless patients restore their smiles with All-on-4 dental implants. They bring years of surgical expertise and a thoughtful, personalized approach to every case. You can trust them to walk you through each step of the process with clarity and care.To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Boulder, CO, call (303) 444-2255 or visit us at 1420 28th St, Suite 100, Boulder, CO.
