Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Some patients may require pre-prosthetic surgery (a minor oral surgery procedure) to prepare the hard and soft tissues of the jaws for a comfortable prosthesis (denture) that will restore oral function, aesthetics and facial appearance. A denture sits on the bone ridge, so it is very important that the bone is the proper shape and size. If a tooth needs to be extracted, the underlying bone might be left sharp and uneven. For the best fit of a denture, the bone might need to be smoothed out or reshaped. Occasionally, excess bone would need to be removed prior to denture insertion.

One or more of the following procedures might need to be performed in order to prepare your mouth for a denture:

• Bone smoothing and reshaping
• Removal of excess bone
• Bone ridge reduction
• Removal of excess gum tissue
• Exposure of impacted teeth

To see if you may need pre-prosthetic surgery before receiving dentures, request a consultation with an oral surgeon.