Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
If you are considering getting dentures or your current dentures are causing discomfort, your surgeon might recommend pre-prosthetic surgery to help you acheive the most comfortable fit.
Oral Surgery Hawaii offers pre-prosthetic surgery for patients near Honolulu, Aiea, and Kaneohe, HI. For a denture to fit properly, the alveolar ridge (the bone that once held the teeth in place) and the gum tissue surrounding it must be a certain size and shape. Jagged areas or bumps can cause discomfort and difficulty when trying to fit a denture. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform one or more pre-prosthetic surgery procedures to prepare your mouth for a more comfortable and secure denture.
Genetics, tooth loss, and other factors can all affect the shape of a person’s jaw and dental arch. Some people's mouths may accommodate a denture naturally, without any surgical procedures, whereas others will not be able to receive a denture without experiencing denture slipping, discomfort, or other issues.
TYPES OF PRE-PROSTHETIC SURGERY
The type of surgery you need will largely depend on the shape of your jaw and the soft tissue in your mouth. A few of the pre-prosthetic procedures that may be necessary to prepare you for dentures include the following:
- Removal of excess gum tissue
- Alveolar ridge or bone reduction
- Jaw bone smoothing
- Tissue or bone grafting procedures
One or more of the above procedures may be necessary to ensure that your dentures are secure and comfortable. Your oral surgeon will go over your condition and discuss your treatment options for tooth replacement at a consultation appointment before your surgery so that you can feel prepared and comfortable with any procedure you choose to undergo.
PRE-PROSTHETIC SURGERY IN HONOLULU, AIEA, AND KANEOHE, HI
If you are having problems getting dentures to fit comfortably, you may be a candidate for pre-prosthetic surgery. Our oral surgeons offer a variety of tooth replacement options to help our patients regain functional, natural-looking smiles. To learn more about pre-prosthetic procedures and other tooth replacement options at our practice, feel free to contact one of our offices for more information.