Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
As you look forward to a fuller and healthier smile, there may be some surgical steps needed to get you there. Some people can have complete or partial dentures placed almost immediately after extraction. But, in many cases, you will need pre-prosthetic surgery.
This is a type of oral surgery that will be carefully planned to prepare your mouth for the effective placement of a prosthesis.
After your teeth have been extracted, your prosthesis will sit on the ridge of your jaw. For stability, comfort, and evenly distributed biting forces, the ridge needs to have a specific shape and volume. The custom prosthesis can be designed to accommodate for some irregularities, but there is a limit to what the dental lab techs can do. If there are significant deviations in the quality of the ridge, you will be scheduled for pre-prosthetic surgery.
The procedure can include removal, reshaping, or leveling of bone, or reshaping the soft tissue (your gums).
At Four Corners Oral Surgery we provide detailed pre-prosthetic surgery with extensive planning and case management. Learn about the procedure and what you should expect when you are treated by Dr. Mascarenhas and his experienced team.
The Procedure
Pre-prosthetic surgery is different for every patient. The exact details of the surgery will depend on the unique anatomy of the ridge of your jaw.
Procedures performed in pre-prosthetic surgery include:
- The removal of excess bone or gum tissues.
- Bone ridge reduction or augmentation.
- Bone reshaping with leveling and smoothing techniques.
- The removal (extraction) of teeth and root tips.
The entire procedure will be based around creating the best conditions for a positive long-term outcome. With pre-prosthetic surgery, you’ll enjoy more comfortable dentures.
Planning Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
As with all types of oral surgery in Toronto, pre-prosthetic surgery must be carefully planned for the best outcome.
Your surgeon will evaluate your gum structure to determine what areas will need treatment for dentures to be comfortable, functional, and durable. This includes a physical examination, a review of your clinical history, and imaging (typically an x-ray or 3D scan) to determine the condition of your jawbone. An impression may be taken before the surgery and used in the planning of the procedure and the fabrication of your dentures. Digital impressions make this process easy, with three-dimensional models giving your surgeon and the lab technicians a fully accurate model to work with.
There may be another impression taken after the surgery and a healing period to ensure the best accuracy for the final prosthesis. You can wear temporary dentures in the period between the surgery and the placement of your final restoration. Temporary dentures aren’t as comfortable or as natural-looking, but they can give you more confidence and some function.
Anesthesia For Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery
There are different forms of anesthesia available for pre-prosthetic oral surgery. The right one for you depends on your overall health, the complexity of the surgery, and in some cases your personal preference.
For routine surgeries such as extraction and minor tissue removal, a local anesthetic can be used. A numbing medication will be injected into your gums. You’ll feel some pressure and movement from the dental instruments, but the procedure will be pain-free.
For more complex surgeries, IV sedation or general anesthesia may be administered through a catheter in your vein. Sedation will keep you conscious but in a dreamlike state during the procedure and you won’t feel any pain.
For the most complex procedures, or if you have a strong phobia or any other factor that could complicate the procedure (such as a strong gag reflex), your surgeon may recommend general anesthesia. The medication will keep you in a managed unconscious state and you won’t feel or remember any pain from the procedure.
Anesthesia administered by your oral surgeon for pre-prosthetic surgery is safe, but careful planning and management during surgery is required. It’s important that you choose an experienced oral surgeon. Four Corners Oral Surgery is trusted by patients and their referring dentists in the Greater Toronto Area.
Your surgeon will cover anesthesia options during your initial consultation, combined with a full medical review including checking allergies, medications, and other health conditions. The detailed approach ensures your safety and comfort for surgery.
Aftercare
Because each pre-prosthetic surgery is different, your aftercare instructions will be specific to your case. These will be covered in detail in your pre-operative consultation and refreshed in your post-operative debriefing.
If you receive general anesthesia or IV sedation for your procedure, you’ll need to arrange transport to and from the surgery. The medication used makes it unsafe to operate a vehicle or machinery for 24 hours, and you won’t be in a condition to make any critical decisions.
Your recovery will be carefully managed by Dr. Mascarenhas, and follow-up care will be scheduled as needed. Pre-prosthetic surgery at Four Corners Oral Surgery is the best way to prepare for dentures and ensure that you’ll have a natural bite, beautiful and healthy smile, and comfort for the years to come.
Trusted Local Oral Surgeon in Brampton
Patient Testimonials
“I recently had some oral surgery and just wanted to comment on how incredible each and every staff member was — from both the medical team as well as the staff at the front desk…. I was understandably nervous, but every person there made me feel calm, safe and relaxed…… thank you to each and every one of you!!! You’re the best!!!”
- – Karen
“I was out of Dr. Mascarenhas’s chair in approximately ten minutes, without pain.
I highly recommend him as one of the best Oral surgeons to consider.”
- – Derek
“My son had complex oral surgery and Dr. Omura’s job was outstanding, in fact my son was eating solids in 3 days.
The staff is extremely friendly, polite, caring and very helpful.
The assistant & nurse were great, compassionate and helped me get my 6’2 son into my car without hesitation.
Their Covid-19 safety protocols are impeccable. They take your temperature, questionnaire, give you a new mask. I felt so safe and at peace. Thank you for everything.”
- – Alejandra
“Highly recommend. The team is amazing. Little to no after-effects after my implant surgery.
I was nervous coming in, but the staff put at ease and the surgery went flawlessly!”
- – Beryl
“Dr. Mascarenhas performed a wisdom teeth extraction on all four of my wisdom teeth. The entire experience from start to finish to finish was nothing shy of wonderful. As a very nervous patient, all staff were kind, patient, and understanding. I would highly recommend this office to any patient looking for an oral surgeon.”
- – Graydon
“I came in for a consult and had my x-rays taken as part of it. I was very impressed with the technology and equipment Four Corners had. The assistant pulled up my x-rays immediately on the screen and Dr. Mascarenhas was able to walk me through my treatment plan right away. I am looking forward to my procedure next month, as the staff and surgeon were very welcoming and professional.”
- – Jeremy
“I came in to see Dr. Mascarenhas for 2 dental extractions. I was so pleased with how the procedure went and that my recovery was fast and seamless – I went back to work the next day. This was an exceptional experience for me as I had gotten another tooth extracted at a different office about 3 years ago, and it hurt me for 3-4 months after; Dr. Mascarenhas’ work was flawless! I’m very thankful for the staff’s experience and professionalism.”
- – Delford