Pre-prosthetic surgery

Preprosthetic surgery is a part of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that deals with preparation of oral tissues and structures favourable to placement of subsequent prosthesis for their proper placement, retention, stability, function and cosmesis. Surgical improvement of the denture-bearing area and surrounding tissue (preprosthetic surgery) offers an exciting and demanding challenge to the dental practice. Many minor modifications of the alveolar ridge and vestibular areas can greatly improve denture stability and retention. In some cases, patients have severe bone changes or soft tissue abnormalities that require extensive surgical preparation before the prosthetic appliance can be properly constructed and worn. One of the most exciting frontiers in dentistry is implantology. Proper bony and soft tissue reconstruction followed by placement of implants and subsequent prosthetic reconstruction can provide patients with a more natural and efficient substitution for their lost dentition.