What Is Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?
Glendale, AZ
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery in Glendale provided by Dr. Michael Allard
at Arrowhead Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
 Pre-prosthetic procedures are treatments that prepare the oral environment for the placement of partial or full dentures. Here are a few procedures that fall under this area:
Dentures are a convenient and affordable option for tooth replacement designed to rest on the gums, simulating the appearance of your missing teeth. Some patients, however, may have sharp edges on the jaw bone or too much gum tissue for a proper fit.
To ensure your comfort, it may be necessary to reshape the bone and soft tissue that supports your prosthetic. If you are considering dentures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Allard to determine whether you need bone and gum contouring. Procedures commonly performed before prosthetics are placed include:
Bone and Ridge Reduction
When your teeth are lost or extracted, the socket remains. This supportive bone may have sharp edges or ridges, detectable even after the gum tissue heals. When dentures are placed, these points may create discomfort where they encounter your prosthetic, causing tenderness and a poor fit. Dr. Allard can reshape or remove the bone or the gum tissue to deliver a smooth, even foundation for your dentures. Bone may be removed with an alveoplasty, a procedure to access the bone and reshape the edges. Many times, this is performed in conjunction with tooth extraction. Alveoplasty may also be performed to reduce or flatten a ridge that has formed in the jaw bone due to prolonged bone loss.
Gum Reduction
Gum reduction or contouring is generally associated with the cosmetic procedure to correct a gummy smile. When gum reduction is performed for pre-prosthetic surgery, however, it flattens the gum line to render a stable base for your dentures.
Bone and gum reduction surgery are often necessary to enable proper and comfortable use of dentures. For your personalized consultation, contact Dr. Allard in Glendale, AZ today. |
