Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
Pre-prosthetic surgery is performed to prepare the patient’s mouth for the placement of a dental prosthesis so that it will have the best fit and maximum comfort. A denture sits on a ridge of bone in the mouth, so it is very important that the bone is the proper shape and size. Our oral surgeons are highly trained in pre-prosthetic surgery techniques to ensure that our patients have a comfortable and stable fit for their dentures. We offer these procedures in the comfort of our surgical suite in Hiawatha, IA.
Why have pre-prosthetic surgery?
Sometimes patients find that their dentures do not feel comfortable, even after multiple fittings. In these cases, it may be that the alveolar ridge or jaw shape needs surgical correction. The alveolar ridge is the bone under our gums that holds our teeth in place. Genetics, tooth loss, and other factors can all affect the alveolar ridge. There may also be other correctable oral inconsistencies that are preventing a comfortable denture fit, denture functionality, and a natural-looking smile. Pre-prosthetic surgery can be life-changing in that it can truly make a big difference in your daily activities.
Types of Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
The shape of your jaw, alveolar ridge, and the type of prosthesis you have or will be receiving will affect what type of pre-prosthetic surgery procedure(s) you require. One or more of the following procedures may need to be performed to prepare your mouth for dentures or other prosthetic devices:
- Bone smoothing and/or reshaping
- Bone ridge reduction/alveolar ridge reduction
- Removal of excess bone/removal of tori (bony growths in the upper or lower jaws) or bony exostoses (benign bone growths)
- Bone or tissue grafting procedures
- Removal of excess soft (gum) tissue
- Exposure of impacted teeth
Pre-prosthetic procedures have very few risks and can usually be performed from the comfort of our Hiawatha, IA, practice. We will review your needs with you during your consultation appointment.
Types of Anesthesia
Several methods of anesthesia are available at our practice:
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Pre-Prosthetic Surgery and other procedures.
"My name is Aaron from Anamosa, Iowa. I came to Dr. Morio for full-arch — six implants on the top and six on the bottom. For as major of a surgery as it is, it was really no sweat. I went to work the next day. The teeth I have now are actually better than my original set, even if they were in good condition. I can talk, I can chew, I eat anything I want. The staff here at Dr. Morio's was very professional. They get you everything you need; they make sure you're comfortable. Dr. Morio is one of the nicest surgeons I guess I've ever met. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Morio. It was a great experience."
"Hi, my name’s Ashley, and I’m from Cedar Rapids. I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my teeth removed. Right as I walked into the door, it was a very comforting experience and everyone was just super friendly. The doctor here is just awesome. He is [a] very nice guy, he’s very friendly, and easy to work with. The staff answered all my questions and they put my mind at ease. It was a very successful procedure. The recovery was very easy. I am very glad I chose this place to get my tooth extracted. They did such an amazing job and I’ve gotten an amazing smile."
"Hi, my name is Austin and I am from Cedar Rapids. I came to Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa for tooth extraction. When I first walked into the Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa, I felt very comfortable. Everybody here had a smile on their face, and I felt welcomed the entire way. The doctor I worked with was a super nice guy, very easy to get along with. He made sure to get to know me as a person as well. He made me feel very calm the entire time, which was very nice. It was a successful procedure and my recovery was great, and I continue to feel awesome even right now as well, which is great. If you live in Hiawatha and need oral surgery, I absolutely recommend the team here."
"Hi, my name is Barb, I’m from Hiawatha, and I came to Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa for a full-arch replacement. Everybody here made me feel like I was part of a family. They welcomed me with open arms. The doctor here was amazing. I just felt so comfortable and at ease with the way he spoke with me, and I had a smile on my face the whole time we were talking. My procedure went very well, it was very successful, and the recovery was everything they told me it would be. I was a Smile Again recipient, and I have never won anything in my life and it was just the most amazing moment and it’s been an amazing experience. This was a life-changing experience thanks to the team at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa."
"Hi, my name is Avery and I'm from Robins, and I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get my wisdom teeth removed. Coming into this practice, I was greeted with a smile. Everybody here was really sweet and caring, and they took all the extra steps to make me feel right at home. The doctor made me feel very comfortable and happy. He's such a good person. It was a successful procedure and the recovery went just as expected. I am thrilled that I chose this practice to get my wisdom teeth removed. If you live in Iowa City and need your wisdom teeth removed, I highly recommend the team here."
"Hi, my name is Ben and I’m from Cedar Rapids, and I came here to get some baby teeth extracted. There are so many things to do when you’re waiting in the waiting room. You can watch TV and there’s very comfy couches you can sit on. Everybody here is just great, the staff is friendly and the doctor is awesome. The doctor here is very nice and he makes me feel very welcome here. He really knows his stuff. The procedure was a success and I was up and running in no time. Now that I’ve had these extractions, I can eat all the pizza I want, and that’s okay with me. I'm going to have an amazing smile and it’s all thanks to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa."
"My name's Brenda. I'm from Marion, Iowa, and I had bone grafts, extractions, and implants. Well, the procedure and the surgery went absolutely fabulous, and I left here with absolutely no pain. The staff is professional. They are very welcoming when you come in. They just make you feel a part of the team. Dr. Morio is the best and made me feel so absolutely comfortable with having the procedure and giving me all the details I needed in order to have the procedures that he was going to perform. Out of 5 stars, I would give Dr. Morio 10. I've got a great smile and great teeth. It's perfection here."
"I'm Brooke, and I live in Lisbon, Iowa, and I got my wisdom teeth extracted by Dr. Morio. The surgery went super fast and well, and everything just went nice and smooth. The staff absolutely was amazing and did everything to make me feel at home and comfortable, and I felt safe as soon as I walked in the door. Dr. Morio is an amazing doctor. Everything was quick, easy, and painless, and I just felt super comfortable the entire time. I would give Dr. Morio five out of five stars. For my friends in Iowa City and Hiawatha, I highly recommend Dr. Morio."
"Hi, my name is Bruce and I’m from Anamosa. I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get extractions, bone graft, and implants. Everybody here was awesome. They made me feel at home, comfortable. I felt very well taken care of. The doctor is great, I mean he sat and talked with me. He made sure I was at ease and what’s going to happen. He showed me what was going to happen before it even took place, and with information like that, that made me feel really comfortable. Being able to smile again is truly an amazing experience. I coach a lot of sports, so a lot of people see, you know, me and the public align and I’ve got a lot of compliments from them. I’m happy that I chose this practice to get my procedure done."
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery in Hiawatha, IA
If your dentures are uncomfortable or ill-fitting, or you are due to receive dentures and have been recommended for pre-prosthetic surgery, please give Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa a call. Our oral surgeons will be pleased to meet with you to discuss your case during a consultation. If you are investigating other options, such as dental implants or other tooth replacement options, we are happy to discuss these options with you as well at that time.