PRE-PROSTHETIC SURGERY MELBOURNE
Pre-prosthetic surgery is the term used to describe the medical treatments performed before a prosthetic device is applied.
Dr Jaclyn Wong, a dental surgeon in Melbourne, offers pre-prosthetic surgery. This is a medical treatment performed before a prosthetic device is fitted to the patients’ mouth. This surgery can help to improve the fit and function of a prosthetic device such as a denture.
What is pre-prosthetic surgery?
Pre-prosthetic surgery is the term used to describe procedures performed prior to a prosthetic device being fitted. It may include the treatment of wounds, the smoothing of bony lumps, and the placement of implants to secure a bridge of teeth in order to optimise the function and comfort of the prosthesis.
Who requires pre-prosthetic surgery in dentistry?
Pre-prosthetic surgery is required for some patients who are fitted with a prosthetic device such as a denture. The type of pre-prosthetic surgery required will depend on the patient’s individual needs.
Dr Wong will first assess the underlying reason for your anomalies to determine the best surgical approach for you. Bone reshaping, ridge improvement, or tissue reduction may be considered for your treatment.
Your concerns and requirements will be assessed during your consultation with Dr Jaclyn Wong.
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What are the types of pre-prosthetic surgery?
During your consultation, Dr Jaclyn Wong will be able to assess the root cause of the dental concerns and determine the surgery most suitable for you. The most common pre-prosthetic treatments may include:
Alveoloplasty (Bone Smoothing and Reshaping)
Alveoloplasty is a pre-prosthetic surgery for patients suffering from an uneven alveolar ridge, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Common symptoms also include suffering from regular sore spots due to the uneven pressure from your prosthetics on your mouth. An uneven alveolar ridge is often the result of a tooth removal leaving uneven or ragged bone surrounding the extraction site.
The procedure involves Dr Jaclyn Wong carefully reshaping the affected area by surgically trimming away excess tissue. It can also be performed in conjunction with a tooth extraction.
Alveolar Ridge Augmentation
Patients can present with an insufficient amount of bone tissue or an excess amount. This can be due to a number of factors and can limit replacement options unless augmentation procedures are performed, eg. in the case of insufficient bone. After removal of a tooth, your alveolar ridge/jaw bone ridge can shrink, impacting the fit of your prosthetic denture, crown or bridge and causing insufficient foundation for an implant.
The procedure for augmentation or rebuilding of the alveolar ridge includes Dr Wong placing a bone graft to fill and build up the shrunken areas of your alveolar ridge. Typically, your own bone in addition to a synthetic bone will be used.
Dr Wong is one of the few dental surgeons that routinely perform this in conjunction with stem cell surgery to improve the predictability and stability of the graft.
Removal of Excess Bone
It’s not uncommon that we see an abnormal bone development in the mouth and more often than not, it should not pose concern or any risk. While small bone abnormalities do not need to be removed, moderate to larger irregularities can greatly affect the fit of your prosthetic device. Your dental surgeon will also remove any growth on your hard palate in the instance they interfere with an upper denture or cause speech impediments.
Removal of Excess Gum Tissue (Excision)
Patients with excess or uneven soft tissue often have issues with their denture fitting comfortably due to the tissue being an unstable and flabby platform to retain a denture. Dr Wong will surgically remove the excess tissue to create a firm and stable platform for your denture.
Tooth Extractions
To ensure your prosthetic device fits your mouth comfortably, Dr Wong will evaluate the presence of any impacted or partially erupted teeth that may require extraction to ensure they do not interfere with your device fitting properly.
During this procedure, Dr Wong will remove the impacted tooth and any overlying bone or gum tissue.
Vestibuloplasty
Vestibuloplasty is a less common procedure performed, however, it may be recommended to ensure you have a sufficient height of alveolar ridge to fit the flange of a denture which is an important part of helping retain a denture. During this procedure, Dr Jaclyn Wong will lower and reposition the muscles attached to the jaw and deepen the sulcus (where the gum reflects from the jaw bone to the inner lip).
Dr Jaclyn Wong will assess the underlying reason for your oral concerns to determine the best surgical approach for you.
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery Melbourne
If you would like more information on pre-prosthetic surgery or wish to request an appointment with Dr Jaclyn Wong, please contact us today.