The team at Southern Surgical Arts offers pre-prosthetic surgery for patients near Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX. For a denture to fit properly, a person’s alveolar ridge (the bone that once held the teeth in place) and the gum tissue surrounding it must be a particular size and shape. Jagged areas or bumps can cause discomfort and difficulty when trying to fit a denture. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform pre-prosthetic surgeries 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 may not need any surgery to prepare for a denture, whereas others will not be able to receive a denture without experiencing denture slipping, discomfort, or other issues.
Types of Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
The kind 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 or soft tissue
- Smoothing or reshaping of the jaw bone
- Reduction of the alveolar ridge
- Exposing impacted teeth or extracting teeth
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 Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX
If you are having problems getting dentures to fit comfortably, you may be a candidate for pre-prosthetic surgery. Our oral surgeons, Dr. Charles Stone, Dr. Brian Stone, and Dr. Wade Barker, offer a wide range 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 our office for more information.