Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Patients who have had a tooth or multiple teeth extracted may choose to have a partial or complete denture fitted. Dentures are oral prostheses that are fitted to rest on the bony ridge in the mouth to act as artificial yet functional replacements for missing teeth. For dentures to fit comfortably and properly, and to ensure the mouth’s shape and size are maintained, some patients may require pre-prosthetic surgery. This procedure can be done in the oral surgery office under local or general anesthesia.

At Utah Surgical Arts, we offer many tooth replacement options to choose from. A general dentist will fabricate your dentures, but our oral surgeons can perform surgery to the mouth to achieve a custom, comfortable fit. We offer this treatment at all of our offices in Provo, Payson, South Jordan, and Lehi, UT.

The Details of Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

If you plan on receiving dentures in the near future, you should contact our office for a consultation for pre-prosthetic surgery. We may take CBCT scans to assess the bone and tissues of your mouth, as well as perform an oral examination. As oral surgeons, we safely administer all types of anesthesia and will determine the right option for your treatment.

Pre-prosthetic surgery may involve one or more of the following procedures:

• Reshaping or smoothing of the jaw bone
• Removing excess bone or gum tissue
• Reducing the bony ridge
• Placing bone or tissue grafts in weakened areas

These procedures can often be completed in one or two surgical visits, depending on the complexity of treatment needed. We create a custom treatment plan for every patient and will walk you through each step, so you know exactly what to expect.

Tooth Replacement Options

You have several options to choose from when restoring your smile. Traditional dentures are popular because they are cheaper upfront and can cosmetically restore your entire smile. Bridges are another option that use adjacent teeth for support to restore multiple teeth missing next to each other. However, these options only restore your smile on the surface. Removable dentures must be taken out when you eat and brush your teeth. If you do not undergo pre-prosthetic surgery, your dentures may slide around and cause oral sores.

Dental Implants are an alternative to removable dentures. They can replace one tooth, many teeth, or all of your teeth. A dental implant’s post replicates the function of a natural tooth’s root and fuses to the jaw bone. This fusion provides stimulation to the jaw bone, keeping it healthy and strong. Without this stimulation, the jaw bone will deteriorate over time. Those who opt for the cheaper, removable options upfront risk jaw bone loss. Severe bone loss can cause tooth decay and require costly, extensive bone repair surgery in the future.

If you are missing teeth, consider the long-term, natural-looking solution: dental implants. They become a fixed part of your smile and are not removed during eating or brushing. Dental implants prevent nearby teeth from shifting into an open gap. They are designed to look like your other teeth, providing aesthetically pleasing, fully functioning results.

Prepare for Dentures in Utah County

Drs. Harris, Park, Brown, Wood, and Holladay of Utah Surgical Arts maintain four practice offices located in South Jordan, Provo, Payson, and Lehi, UT. Our practice serves all of Utah County and Salt Lake County and are available to schedule your surgery at any of their locations. Contact us to schedule your consultation or to learn about your tooth replacement options.

AAAHC Accreditation

Utah Surgical Arts is approved by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation is difficult to obtain and allows our office to function as a hospital and/or surgical center. Since extensive surgeries must be performed in a surgical center, there are many instances where the patient may be unable to undergo surgery due to the high cost of the hospital or surgical center. If your surgery can be performed at Utah Surgical Arts, the cost savings may be significant. Many patients who were unable to have the procedure due to the high cost involved were able to have the procedure performed at Utah Surgical Arts. Learn More.