Pre-prosthetic surgery is performed in order to prepare a patient’s mouth for a dental prosthesis. Sometimes, this procedure is necessary to allow dentures to fit comfortably and properly in the mouth. A denture is placed on the bone ridge, so for the denture placement to be successful, it is very important that the bone is the proper shape and size to support the denture.
In some cases, a tooth (or a few teeth) needs to be extracted, and the underlying bone might be left sharp and uneven. For the denture to fit properly, the bone might need to be smoothed out or reshaped using pre-prosthetic surgery. Sometimes, extra bone must be removed prior to denture placement. Through reshaping and smoothing bony edges, a better anatomic environment and proper supporting structures for denture construction are created. The ultimate goal of pre-prosthetic surgery is the functional restoration of chewing and speaking abilities, combined with the improvement of dental and facial aesthetics. In order to achieve this goal, maximum preservation of hard and soft tissues of the denture base is of extreme importance and a top priority in all pre-prosthetic procedures at Northern Westchester Oral Surgery.
The following are examples of pre-prosthetic procedures which may be considered to ensure a successful denture fit for a patient:
- Reshaping or smoothing of the jaw bone (alveoloplasty)
- Removing excess bone or gum tissue
- Reducing the bone ridge
Any of these procedures can be performed in the oral surgery office under local or general anesthesia. Prior to performing any pre-prosthetic surgery, Dr. Weber will discuss all options available for your tooth replacement to determine the best long-term solution for you and ensure a successful outcome. To make an appointment with Dr. Zachary Weber at Northern Westchester Oral Surgery, please call our Mt. Kisco office at (914) 241-4800 to schedule a consultation today.