Pre-prosthetic surgery prepares your mouth and jaw so dentures can fit comfortably and securely. Dentures should feel comfortable and work as naturally as possible.
Sometimes, uneven jawbone, excess bone or tissue, or changes after tooth loss make a proper fit hard. Pre-prosthetic surgery reshapes or smooths the areas that get in the way of a comfortable, stable fit.
At El Paso Oral Surgery, we provide personalized pre-prosthetic surgery in El Paso, TX. We often work with your dentist or prosthodontist to create a healthier foundation for your final restoration.
What Is Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?
Pre-prosthetic surgery is oral surgery performed before a denture, partial denture, or other dental prosthesis is placed.
After tooth loss or extraction, your gums and jawbone may not offer the smooth, even foundation a prosthesis needs. Irregular bone, sharp areas, excess tissue, or other anatomical features can cause pressure points, instability, or discomfort.
Pre-prosthetic treatment reshapes these areas to help create a better foundation for your new restoration.
Why Would I Need Surgery Before Dentures?
Creating the Right Foundation for Your New Smile
Not everyone needs oral surgery before dentures. When it is recommended, the goal is to improve the shape and condition of the tissues that support your prosthesis.
Pre-prosthetic surgery may be considered when there is:
- Uneven or irregular jawbone after tooth loss
- Sharp or prominent areas of bone beneath the gums
- Excess bone that interferes with denture placement
- Excess or irregular gum tissue
- An uneven ridge after multiple tooth extractions
- Discomfort from an existing denture resting over prominent bone
- Anatomical features that interfere with the planned restoration
Your oral surgeon and restorative dental provider can work together to decide whether surgical preparation would help your denture fit better.
Types of Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
The right type of pre-prosthetic surgery depends on your jaw, your gum tissue, and the prosthesis being planned.
Treatment Personalized to Your Anatomy
Your recommended procedure depends on the shape of your jaw, the condition of the surrounding tissues, and the type of dental prosthesis planned. Common options include:
- Alveoloplasty: Reshapes and smooths the jawbone, often after tooth extractions. A smoother ridge helps prepare the area for a denture or other restoration.
- Removal of Excess or Irregular Bone: Prominent, sharp, or excess bone can interfere with a comfortable denture fit. These areas can be carefully reshaped when appropriate.
- Soft Tissue Reshaping: Excess or irregular gum tissue may need adjusting. This creates a more stable surface for the planned prosthesis.
The exact procedure will depend on your individual anatomy and restorative treatment plan.
The Pre-Prosthetic Surgery Process
The pre-prosthetic surgery process starts with an evaluation and ends with a smooth handoff to your restorative dental provider.
Coordinated Care From Surgery to Your Final Restoration
Treatment begins with an evaluation of your mouth, gums, and jawbone. Imaging may be used when needed to better understand your anatomy and plan your procedure.
Your oral surgeon will decide which areas, if any, need reshaping or adjusting. You can also discuss anesthesia or sedation options based on your procedure and individual needs.
After surgery, your tissues need time to heal before certain final restorations can be completed. Our team will give you post-operative instructions. We coordinate with your restorative dental provider as appropriate, so the next stage of treatment can move forward.
What If My Dentures No Longer Fit Comfortably?
If your dentures feel loose, unstable, or uncomfortable, an evaluation can help find out why.
Changes in Your Mouth Can Affect Denture Fit Over Time
Your jawbone and gum tissues can change after tooth loss. A denture that once fit well may eventually feel different.
Depending on the cause, your dental provider may recommend adjusting or replacing the denture. Some patients may benefit from surgical treatment.
Looking for an alternative to traditional removable dentures? Implant-supported dentures or full-arch dental implants may be worth discussing.
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery FAQs
Does Everyone Need Surgery Before Getting Dentures?
No. Not everyone needs oral surgery before receiving dentures. Pre-prosthetic surgery is considered when issues like uneven jawbone, sharp bone, excess gum tissue, or an uneven ridge could affect your fit. Your oral surgeon and restorative dental provider work together to decide whether surgical preparation would create a better foundation.
What Is Alveoloplasty?
Alveoloplasty is a type of pre-prosthetic surgery that reshapes and smooths the jawbone, often after tooth extractions. Creating a smoother ridge helps prepare the area for a denture or other restoration. Your oral surgeon recommends it based on the shape of your jaw and the type of prosthesis being planned.
What Happens During the Pre-Prosthetic Surgery Process?
Treatment begins with an evaluation of your mouth, gums, and jawbone, with imaging when needed. Your oral surgeon decides which areas, if any, need reshaping. Anesthesia or sedation options are discussed based on your needs. After surgery, you receive post-operative instructions while your tissues heal before your final restoration.
Will You Work With My Dentist?
Yes. El Paso Oral Surgery often provides pre-prosthetic surgery in coordination with your dentist or prosthodontist. After surgery, our team coordinates with your restorative dental provider as appropriate, so the next stage of treatment can move forward. The shared goal is a healthier foundation for your final restoration.
Are There Alternatives to Traditional Removable Dentures?
Yes. For patients looking for an alternative to traditional removable dentures, implant-supported dentures or full-arch dental implants may be worth discussing. If your current dentures feel loose, unstable, or uncomfortable, an evaluation can help determine why and which option makes sense for you.