Pre-Prosthetic Surgery: Enhancing Denture Fit and Comfort For people with missing or damaged teeth, dentures are usually the most effective long-term solution. However, not everyone who needs dentures is ready for them. In such cases, pre-prosthetic surgery may be necessary. The surgery aims to prepare the mouth for the dentures and ensure the dentures fit as comfortably and steadily as possible. If you are planning to have dentures installed, our team at Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants can help you determine if you need pre-prosthetic surgery.What Is Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?Pre-prosthetic surgery is the broad term for the different surgical procedures performed before dentures are installed. One example of pre-prosthetic dental procedures is alveoloplasty. The procedure involves reshaping or smoothing the surface of the alveolar ridge, which is the bony ridge upon which the teeth lay. If the ridge is irregular, the dentures placed on it will not be as steady as desired. Frenectomy is another procedure commonly done in pre-prosthetic surgery. It involves repositioning or completely removing the frenum tissue. This is the tissue that connects your lips to your gums. It also connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. Where a frenum is abnormally positioned or too tight, it can pull on the dentures or make it very uncomfortable to eat or speak with them. A frenectomy helps to prevent such a scenario. Pre-prosthetic dental surgery may also involve bone grafting. This is where bone is added to parts of the jawbone where bone loss has occurred. Bone grafting helps to create a stronger foundation for the dentures and considerably reduces slipping and discomfort. Why Should You Get Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?The main benefit of pre-prosthetic surgery is that it helps, albeit indirectly, to prevent dental problems that are associated with loosely fitting dentures. In particular, food and bacteria accumulate very quickly underneath loose dentures. This accumulation can lead to issues like chronic bad breath and gum disease in a worst-case scenario. You may need pre-prosthetic surgery if you have excess gum tissue, have accelerated jawbone recession, or have bony growths or tumors in areas where the prosthesis is set to be placed. The dentist may also recommend surgery if you have significant jawbone irregularities that affect the shape and structure of your mouth. Notably, you cannot tell if you need pre-prosthetic surgery until you consult a dentist. Our dentist will closely examine your jawbone, alveolar ridge, and frenum before recommending the surgery. Even so, you must be in relatively good health to undergo any pre-prosthetic procedures. How to Make Sure Your Pre-Prosthetic Surgery Is SuccessfulIf you are a smoker, avoid smoking for at least a few weeks before the surgery. Nicotine slows down the healing process and can also cause further complications. You must also be transparent with your dentist about other health conditions you may have and the medications you are taking. After pre-prosthetic surgery, try to stick to a soft diet for up to a month or as directed by the dentist. You should also maintain high standards of oral hygiene to prevent infections. Visit Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants today or call us at (224) 341-5517 to speak to our dentists and schedule your appointment. |
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