Why is surgery necessary before I get my dentures?

A denture relies on the precise shape of your gums and underlying bone ridge for support. If your bone is sharp or your gums are excessively bulky, the denture will not fit properly and can cause pain. Pre-prosthetic surgery corrects these foundational issues to ensure a stable, highly comfortable fit.

What does bone smoothing or reshaping involve?

After a tooth is extracted, the remaining bone can be uneven. A procedure called an alveoloplasty is performed to carefully smooth and reshape this underlying bone, creating an ideal, contoured surface for your new denture to rest upon without causing irritation.

How will I know which specific pre-prosthetic procedures I need?

Every patient's oral anatomy is unique. During your dedicated consultation appointment, our clinical team will comprehensively evaluate your gums and jawbone to determine exactly which minor surgical procedures are required to perfectly prepare your mouth for your specific prosthesis.

Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

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Patient Intake

Understanding Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

The preparation of your mouth prior to the placement of a prosthesis, such as a partial or complete denture, is referred to as pre-prosthetic surgery. Because a denture sits directly on your gums and the underlying bone ridge, it is critical that these foundational structures are the proper shape and size. Minor oral surgical procedures are often required to ensure you experience the maximum level of comfort and stability with your new prosthesis.

Patient Intake

Addressing Bone and Gum Irregularities

Following a tooth extraction, the underlying bone can often heal in a sharp or uneven manner. If left unaddressed, this can cause significant discomfort when a denture is placed over it. In these cases, the bone must be carefully smoothed out or reshaped to ensure a comfortable fit. Additionally, your gums may be loose, mobile, or overly large and bulky. Specialized gum surgery is utilized to correct these specific soft-tissue situations, ensuring your denture rests securely.

Customized Surgical Solutions

Depending on your unique oral anatomy, one or more specialized procedures may be necessary to properly prepare your mouth. These can include bone smoothing and reshaping (alveoloplasty), the removal of excess bone (tori removal), or bone ridge reduction (alveolectomy). We may also need to remove excess gum tissue (gingivoplasty) or expose impacted teeth. Our surgical team will thoroughly review your particular needs and outline a customized plan during your initial consultation appointment.