Pre-prosthetic surgery refers to the procedure where a patient is prepared to receive a prosthesis (denture) placement. Some patients require surgical procedures before receiving dentures to maximize comfort and functionality. Bellflower Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implant Center offers pre-prosthetic surgery to our patients to alleviate the functionality issues that missing teeth can create, especially when it comes to chewing and speaking.
Denture Placement
Dentures are designed to sit on bone ridges, so successful denture placement is dependent on the underlying ridge. This means the bone needs to be the proper size and shape for the denture sits comfortably. If a tooth requires extraction, the underlying ridge could be sharp and uneven. A professional needs to smooth or reshape the ridge. Sometimes this involves bone removal, but only in a minority of cases.
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
We will review your particular needs with you during your initial consultation.
The Point of Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
Pre-prosthetic surgery creates proper supporting structures for denture construction. The goal is to rehabilitate the jaw and restore regular function when it comes to eating, drinking, and speaking. The longer a patient wears dentures, the more changes that can develop in the denture-bearing bone ridge underneath.
Over the past few decades, dental prosthetics have made incredible strides such as using more effective materials, improving technique accuracy, and understanding overall oral physiology better. Our prosthetic appliances have a tremendous success rate due to pre-prosthetic surgeries that help shape and even the bone ridge.
A Wide Variety of Life-Altering Treatments
Our patients are never limited in their choices when it comes to treatment options and opportunities. It’s always reassuring to know there are sustainable and long lasting alternatives to replacing missing teeth with partial or full dentures, or even bridges. Dental implants have rendered such old-fashioned methods obsolete thanks to modern technology.
A great relief to many of our patients is that extensive bone reduction is not necessary to prep the bone ridge for dental implant surgery. Implants actually require the preservation and conservation of bone because of how important the ridge actually is to the implants for stability and comfort. Here at Bellflower, we can enhance your overall chewing and speaking, aesthetics, and self-confidence with one simple surgical procedure.
Whether you’re seeking pre-prosthetic surgery or dental implants, Bellflower Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implant Center can give you the treatment you need. Contact our office today to learn more.