Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dentures are still a very common solution. This removable treatment involves the use of acrylic resin teeth set into an acrylic base. The restoration sits directly on your gums, relying on the soft tissue for support. Even though your dentures are made from impressions of your mouth, there are some situations in which they may not be able to sit properly in place. At Florida Prosthodontics, we can help to prepare your mouth for dentures with pre-prosthetic surgery.
What is Pre-Prosthetic Surgery?
Pre-prosthetic surgery is a surgical treatment performed to prepare your mouth for your dentures. This is not necessary for everyone receiving dentures, but some patients require surgery to ensure comfort, and that the denture fits properly. There are a few different procedures that may be performed to provide you with the best results.
Reshaping and Smoothing Bone
Some patients require tooth extractions before receiving dentures. Tooth extractions can leave your jawbone uneven and jagged, issues that can prevent your denture from sitting properly in your mouth. An alveoloplasty is performed to smooth and reshape your jaw. It is done immediately following your tooth extractions. The goal of the procedure is to prevent spots where your denture base can rub against jagged bone, causing painful sores.
Removing Excess Bone
Some patients have an excess amount of bone in their jaws. The exact amount of bone varies from person to person, but it can significantly interfere with the fit of your dentures. While it may be possible to fabricate your dentures around smaller bits of excess bone, larger bone can prevent your dentures from fitting properly, or at all. If you need to have excess bone removed, it is done before taking impressions for your dentures. There are a few different areas where bone may need to be removed from. Common types of excess bone that need to be removed include the exostosis and lingula tori. An exostosis is excess bone that is located on the lip or cheek side of your jaw. A lingual tori is an excess piece of bone that is located on the inside of the ridge of your lower jaw.
Removing Excess Gum Tissue
Some patients who have been wearing their dentures for a while may develop excess folds of gum, lip, or cheek tissue. This excess tissue often forms as a result of dentures that do not fit properly. The excess tissue, which is called epulis fissuratum or hyperplastic tissue is harmless, but it can significantly interfere with the fit of your dentures. Removing the excess tissue will help to improve the fit of dentures. The tissue is generally removed several weeks before the placement of your new denture to ensure that your tissues have healed completely.
Pre-prosthetic surgery can help to effectively prepare your mouth for your new dentures, ensuring that they will be able to better remain in place. Immediately following surgery, you are provided with aftercare instructions that will help you to heal properly and prevent serious issues like infections. If you have any questions about pre-prosthetic surgery or want to find out if it is necessary for you, call Florida Prosthodontics at (321) 452-3388 today.
Merritt Island