Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery for Dental Implants & Dentures

Pre-prosthetic oral surgery could be a part of your treatment plan if you are planning on getting dental implants or dentures.

Although it may sound a little scary, pre-prosthetic surgery is simply a term used to describe a minor, in-office surgical procedure that helps prepare your mouth and jaws for a fixed or removable dental prosthesis. The goal of this procedure is to ensure the most stable, functional and comfortable fit by making improvements to the jawbone, teeth and oral tissues.

When Is Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery Necessary?

Pre-prosthetic surgery isn’t a requirement for every patient. Some patients can get dental implants or dentures without any surgical preparation.

That said, pre-prosthetic procedures are often necessary, as they help ensure the best possible results from a dental prosthesis. For this reason, patients interested in replacing their missing teeth should schedule a professional evaluation with a skilled and qualified local oral surgeon.

What Does Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery Involve?

Each patient has unique dental and jawbone anatomy that determines their specific surgical needs. Therefore, the approach to any oral surgery is always customized to the patient.

However, oral surgery to prepare for a dental prosthesis may include one or more of the following procedures:

• Extraction of teeth or tooth remnants
• Exposure of impacted teeth
• Removal of damaged or diseased gum tissue
• Reduction of the jawbone ridge
• Removal of excess bone in the jaw
• Smoothing and reshaping the jawbone

Pre-prosthetic surgery is performed in the oral surgeon’s office under oral sedation, nitrous oxide or intravenous (IV) sedation. Most patients are able to choose their preferred method of anesthesia.

What Is the Recovery Period for Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery?

Because each patient’s pre-prosthetic surgical plan is different, recovery times and circumstances vary. However, these procedures are considered minor and the recovery period typically compares to that of a routine tooth extraction.

Patients can expect a few days of mild discomfort, which can often be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NDAIDs) and ice. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for at least the first 24 hours following pre-prosthetic surgery and stick to a soft-food diet until the oral tissues have adequately healed.

If you need pre-prosthetic surgery before getting dental implants or dentures, you’ll be in good hands at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah. Dr. Partridge and Dr. Maxfield are board-certified facial and jaw reconstruction specialists, with more than 10 years of experience helping patients in the greater Salt Lake City area.

To discuss pre-prosthetic oral surgery, contact one of our three convenient northern Utah offices in Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan and Tooele today.