20/08/2026
Alveoloplasty: Undercuts Decide Denture Success Before the First Impression
Severely uneven ridges with pronounced bilateral undercuts — anatomy where even a well-made denture fails, because the path of insertion fights the tissue.
Full-thickness flap reflection, both arches. Selective alveoloplasty to eliminate undercuts and establish a uniform, rounded crest. Primary closure, tension-free.
Three things worth remembering:
Reduce sharp, not tall. Aggressive vertical reduction buys seating and costs ridge volume.
Undercuts, not irregularity, are the enemy. Acrylic accommodates bumps. It can’t fight a path of insertion.
Wait for the tissue, not the calendar. Impressions taken too early record a ridge that won’t exist at delivery.
If your removable cases keep coming back for adjustment, the problem may be sitting under the flap.
\
