Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Ensure Maximum Comfort for Dentures

Before receiving a partial or complete denture, some patients require minor surgical procedures, known as pre-prosthetic surgery, to prepare the bony ridge in the mouth. These procedures involve reshaping the bony ridge and soft tissues in the mouth so that dentures fit snugly and comfortably.

Dr. Larson performs pre-prosthetic surgery in the comfort of our office in Norton Shores, MI, and offers anesthesia so that you can feel at ease throughout your procedure. If you plan on getting new dentures, or currently wear dentures and desire a more comfortable fit, contact Breakwater Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants to schedule a consultation.

Do I Need Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?

During your consultation appointment, Dr. Larson will examine the shape and contours within your mouth. He may recommend pre-prosthetic surgery if any of these conditions are present:

Gum recession
Jaw bone atrophy
Excess bone or gum tissue
Abnormal bone development

It’s important that your prosthesis fits securely and feels comfortable in your mouth. Loose-fitting dentures may not function properly and can cause oral health problems that require more surgery down the road. They also trap food and bacteria underneath the prosthesis, which increases the risk of developing periodontal disease, infection, and chronic bad breath.

By having your mouth prepared for dentures, you will feel more comfortable wearing them and can make the most out of your replacement teeth. A secure denture will allow you to eat a more complete, nutritious diet, and dentures that fit snugly in your mouth will provide a more natural-looking appearance.

Types of Pre-Prosthetic Procedures

Using detailed 3D scans, Dr. Larson will examine the bones and soft tissues of your mouth and create your customized treatment plan. For any type of procedure, we offer a variety of anesthesia and sedation options to choose from, including local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.

One or more types of pre-prosthetic treatments may be performed to achieve the most effective outcome, including:

Tooth extraction
Alveoplasty, or smoothing and reshaping the alveolar ridge
Exposing an impacted tooth
Removing excess bone; small growths do not always require removal, but growths on the outer edge of the alveolar ridge touching the lips and cheeks (exostoses) and growths on the lower alveolar ridge touching the tongue or roof of the mouth (tori) almost always need to be removed
Excision, or removing excess gum tissue
Bone grafting treatment to restore lost bone, such as a ridge augmentation

What to Expect During Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

We will walk you through each step of your treatment and answer all of your questions. Pre-prosthetic surgery is a little different for everyone, as some patients may require only one procedure using a local anesthetic, while others require several procedures and more advanced anesthesia.

The details of your procedure will depend on your treatment plan. If you are having a tooth extracted, Dr. Larson will numb the area and remove the tooth using forceps. For bone grafting, he will make an incision in the gum tissue and insert the grafting material where more bone or tissue is needed. Removing excess bone or tissue is often minimally invasive and performed using a laser or scalpel. After your procedure is complete, we will place sutures as necessary and provide you with post-operative instructions that outline how to care for your surgical site.

Recovery After Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

The timeline for your recovery will depend on the procedures you had. It may take several months for a bone graft to heal, while it may take a week to recover from an excision. After you have fully recovered from your procedures, your restorative dentist will provide you with your final prosthesis. In the meantime, you may receive a temporary prosthesis to wear while you heal.