Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Fixed dentures, also known as implant-supported dentures, are used when a person doesn’t have any teeth in the jaw but has enough bone in the jaw to support implants. Patients may choose this option because dental implants look and function like natural teeth, they don’t slip when you eat or speak, and they can help prevent bone loss in the jaw. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we’d like to explain what to expect during pre-prosthetic surgery.

The surgery to place dental implants that support a fixed denture is simple. Two surgeries are usually needed because the first will require placing the implants in the jawbone under your gums, while the second exposes the top of the implants. These surgeries will typically be performed six months apart. A denture sits on the bone ridge, so it’s very important that the bone is the proper shape and size. If a tooth needs to be extracted, the underlying bone may be left sharp and uneven. To avoid this problem, our doctors may perform bone smoothing and reshaping, as well as removal of excess bone or gum tissue. We promise to review your particular needs during a consultation to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

If you have questions about prosthetics, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Extractions

We believe in saving the natural tooth whenever possible, but this isn’t always an option. Teeth often need to be extracted because of severe tooth decay that has caused a tooth to become cracked or fractured, severely infected or because there is not enough stability in the tooth for a crown to be placed over it.

 

Our patients know they are getting the best care possible when they visit our offices for extractions. We provide an anesthetic so that our patients don’t experience any pain or discomfort. We remove the tooth as quickly as possible, providing in-depth aftercare instructions. Most extractions heal quickly and without problem. However, wisdom teeth extractions may have a slightly longer healing process.

 

After getting the tooth extracted, patients are asked to keep gauze on the tooth for any bleeding that may occur. They must not use a straw as the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot that is protecting the opening. If you have a problem with a tooth and are in need of an extraction, visit our office or our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Pre-prosthetic surgery is a necessary procedure performed by our doctors before your general dentist assists you for a  partial or complete denture. After a tooth is extracted, the area beneath the tooth is jagged or uneven, which requires pre-prosthetic surgery in many cases. The unevenness makes it difficult to place a prosthesis, so we provide pre-prosthesis surgery here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to rectify the situation. It helps level out the prosthesis site, so your general dentist can proceed with making the partial or complete denture.

 

During the pre-prosthetic procedure, the excess bone underneath the missing teeth is removed and excess gum tissue is also removed. We also provide bone ridge reduction, bone leveling, and bone reshaping during this procedure to prepare for dentures or partials.

 

The comfort of our patients is very important, so we provide several anesthesia and sedation methods. This includes local anesthesia, general anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and conscious intravenous sedation.

 

If you have missing teeth and are thinking about getting a complete set of dentures or partials, we highly recommend making an appointment with us here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to find out if you need pre-prosthetic surgery. Whichever is more convenient, visit us in our Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom, PA location to learn more about this procedure and whether or not you are in need of it.