Pre-prosthetic surgery includes a range of procedures, all aimed at shaping or rebuilding oral structures to support a prosthetic device. Common procedures include:Â
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- Alveoloplasty, which smooths and reshapes the alveolar ridge after tooth extractionÂ
- Tori removal, which eliminates bony growths that would interfere with a denture
- Frenectomy, which addresses soft tissue attachments that may limit prosthetic fit
- Bone grafting, which rebuilds volume in areas where the jaw has deteriorated
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The need for any of these procedures depends entirely on your individual situation. A thorough evaluation, including digital imaging, provides our team with the information needed to determine whether the bone and soft tissues in your mouth are ready to support a restoration. According to a 2023 narrative review published in the National Institutes of Health’s PubMed Central, pre-prosthetic surgery aims to restore form and function lost to tooth loss, congenital conditions, trauma, or ablative surgery, and bone grafting, in particular, enables not only implant placement but also meaningful aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of the jaw.
Alveoloplasty and Ridge Recontouring
After a tooth is extracted, the bone left behind does not always heal into a shape that works well beneath a denture or around an implant. Alveoloplasty reshapes irregular or sharp ridges so a prosthetic can rest comfortably and function without causing tissue irritation or pressure points. This procedure is typically performed at the time of extraction or shortly after, and recovery is generally manageable for most patients.