Pre-Prosthetic Procedure

Reno, NV

Pre-Prosthetic SURGERY

Dental prosthetics (full or partial dentures) are common solutions to tooth loss. Many times, before receiving a dental prosthesis, preparatory surgery is required. This type of surgery is known as pre-prosthetic surgery. At Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, we can perform this pre-prosthetic surgery, and prepare your mouth to comfortably fit your new prosthetic teeth.

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What Is Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?

Because the denture sits directly on your gums, and the ridge of your jaw, it needs to be the proper shape and size. While dentures are created from molds of your mouth, there are some instances in which inconsistencies in your jaw (extra tissue, protruding bone, etc.) can affect the way they sit in place. These issues can cause the denture to slip out of place frequently, which can cause denture sores and embarrassment. Pre-prosthetic surgery consists of minor surgical procedures that prepare your mouth to comfortably fit your new full or partial dentures. This also helps to ensure that they will function properly, and reduce the risk of the prosthesis coming loose.

There are a few different types of pre-prosthetic surgical procedures:

Bone smoothing and reshaping.
Removing excess bone.
Removing excess gum tissue.

Bone Smoothing And Reshaping

Sometimes, unhealthy teeth need to be extracted before the placement of a full or partial denture. Following an extraction, the bone that once surrounded the tooth can become uneven, or even sharp. To ensure a comfortable fit for your new prosthesis, the bone may need to be smoothed and reshaped, a procedure also known as an alveoloplasty. With this procedure, we help to prevent denture sores, which can otherwise cause serious pain and discomfort.

Removal Of Excess Bone

Some people just naturally have an excess bone in their jaw (that has nothing to do with the removal of teeth). The excess bone can range in size from patient to patient. Some small sections of excess bone may not pose any issues, but medium to large excess portions of bone will get in the way of a properly fitting dentures. Common types of excess bone that need to be removed before receiving dentures include an exostosis (excess bone on the lip and cheek side of the ridge) and a lingual torus (excess bone on the inside of the ridge near the tongue).

Removal Of Excess Gum Tissue

If you have been wearing dentures for a long time, they can sometimes lead to extra folds of gum tissue (sometimes also lip and cheek tissue as well). This often happens when you have been wearing ill-fitting dentures for too long. Known as epulis fissuratum (or hyperplastic tissue), this excess tissue can prevent new dentures from fitting comfortably (and properly) within your mouth. In this case, it becomes necessary to remove the excess tissue before taking impressions for your new dentures. Once you have begun to heal, then impressions can be taken, and your new dentures can be created.

For your dental prosthetic to function properly, it needs to fit properly in your mouth. Sometimes, this requires minor preparatory surgery. For more information, or to schedule your consultation, contact Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center today at (775) 430-5355.

For those interested in having a dental implant procedure, you can drop by our clinic. Please call us today at (775) 853-9696 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment.

We look forward to seeing you smile!