Before dentures can fit properly or dental implants can be placed, the jawbone and soft tissue sometimes need surgical preparation. Pre-prosthetic surgery reshapes and optimizes the oral environment to ensure prosthetic devices function comfortably and reliably. Dr. Kahwach performs these preparatory procedures as part of comprehensive treatment planning.
Common Pre-Prosthetic Procedures
Torus removal (tori) — bony growths on the palate (torus palatinus) or along the inner lower jaw (torus mandibularis) that interfere with denture fit. Smoothed or removed surgically to create a uniform ridge.
Alveolar ridge augmentation — rebuilding the jawbone ridge with bone grafting to provide adequate height and width for denture stability or implant placement.
Soft tissue recontouring — removing excess gum tissue, fibrous tuberosities, or hyperplastic tissue that prevents proper prosthetic seating.
Undercut reduction — reshaping areas of the jaw where bone contour creates undercuts that trap and dislodge dentures.
Frenectomy — releasing a tight labial or lingual frenum (the tissue connecting lip-to-gum or tongue-to-floor-of-mouth) that interferes with denture retention or implant healing.
For patients transitioning from failing teeth to full-arch implants, pre-prosthetic surgery is often performed simultaneously with extractions and implant placement — streamlining treatment into a single surgical visit.
Schedule a consultation to evaluate whether pre-prosthetic preparation is needed before your restoration.