The term dentoalveolar refers to teeth and the alveolar bone that supports the teeth. Surgery involving the dentoalveolar area is the basis for much of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dentoalveolar procedures range from simple procedures, such as simple extractions, to much more complex procedures such as sinus lifts. Often, a combination of procedures that require an extraction, modification to the bone, and/or modification of the gum tissue surrounding the surgical site are included in a dentoalveolar surgery.
Dentoalveolar procedures may include a combination of the following:
- Partial or full tooth extraction
- Removal of bone material
- Reshaping of bone material
- Soft tissue removal
- Soft tissue repair