Prepare your mouth for dentures that fit and feel right
Before dentures or other new teeth, small changes to your jaw and gums can help them sit better, feel more comfortable and work well for daily life.
Dentures, partials and other replacement teeth rest on your gums and jawbone. If that foundation has sharp edges, uneven ridges, bony bumps or extra gum tissue, new teeth may rub, rock or cause sore spots. Pre-prosthetic surgery is a group of procedures that prepare the mouth before new teeth are made. The most common is alveoloplasty, which smooths and reshapes the bony ridge, often right after teeth are removed.
Other pre-prosthetic procedures may include removing extra or loose gum tissue, smoothing bony bumps called tori, or adjusting tissue that pulls on the denture edge. The goal is simple: a smooth, even base that gives your new teeth the best chance to fit snugly and feel comfortable when you eat, speak and smile. Taking care of this first can mean fewer adjustments and fewer sore spots later.
At Progressive Dental Office in Hialeah, Dr. Jonathan Guzman and Dr. Jovanny Guzman look at the whole picture, from your bone and gums to the kind of teeth you want. Not everyone needs pre-prosthetic surgery. When it would help, we explain why and often plan it together with extractions so you have fewer visits and one clear path to your new smile.
Is pre-prosthetic surgery right for you?
- You are getting dentures or a partial for the first time
- Your current denture rubs, rocks or causes sore spots
- You have sharp or uneven bone edges after teeth were removed
- Bony bumps on the roof of your mouth or lower jaw get in the way
- You have loose, extra gum tissue where your denture sits
- Several teeth need to come out and you want to plan ahead for new teeth
How it works, step by step.
Exam and planning
We check your gums and bone, take X-rays, and talk about the type of teeth you want. Then we explain what preparation, if any, would help.
Your treatment plan
We go over which procedures are needed, how they fit with extractions or dentures, and the cost before we start.
Shaping the foundation
With the area numbed, we gently smooth bone edges, reshape the ridge or remove extra tissue. Stitches are often placed to help healing.
Healing and new teeth
After the area heals, we move forward with making and fitting your denture or other restoration.
Your comfort
Many people feel anxious about surgery, especially when they are also losing teeth. We take it one step at a time. The area is fully numbed, so most patients feel pressure but not sharp pain. We'll explain your numbing and comfort options at your consultation. When this is done along with extractions, it often adds little extra time. Afterward, soreness for a few days is common and usually manageable.
Healing & aftercare
Most patients return to normal routines within a few days. Eat soft foods, rinse gently as we direct, and avoid smoking while the area heals. Gums typically settle over several weeks. If you get an immediate denture, we will show you how to care for it and see you for adjustments as your mouth heals. A smoother base often means a more stable, comfortable fit for years to come.
Cost, insurance & financing
The cost depends on which procedures you need, how many areas are treated, and whether the work is done along with extractions. Many dental insurance plans cover part of pre-prosthetic surgery, since it is part of getting dentures, and we are happy to check your benefits. We accept CareCredit and can discuss financing options. We always give you the cost before we start.
Care led by Dr. Jonathan & Dr. Jovanny Guzman.
Twin brothers who treat every patient the way they'd treat their own family. You'll meet your dentist before any treatment begins.
“I had a great experience at this dental office. The twin dentists were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which immediately put me at ease. From the moment I walked in, the whole team made me feel comfortable and well taken care of.”
Common questions
Pre-prosthetic surgery means procedures that prepare your mouth for dentures, partials or other replacement teeth. It may include smoothing and reshaping the jawbone, removing extra gum tissue, or taking down bony bumps. The goal is a smooth, even base so your new teeth fit better, feel more comfortable and are less likely to cause sore spots.
An alveoloplasty is a procedure that smooths and reshapes the ridge of bone that once held your teeth. After extractions, this bone can have sharp edges or uneven areas. Smoothing it creates a better surface for a denture to rest on. It is often done at the same visit as extractions, so you do not need a separate surgery.
Not always. Many people get dentures without any extra preparation. Pre-prosthetic surgery is usually recommended when sharp bone, uneven ridges, large tori or extra tissue would keep a denture from fitting well. We will examine your mouth and explain clearly whether it would help in your case.
It depends on your plan. In some cases, an immediate denture is placed the same day as extractions and smoothing, then adjusted as you heal. In other cases, we wait several weeks for the gums and bone to settle before final dentures are made. We will give you a timeline that fits your situation.
For most patients, a smoother and more even foundation helps dentures sit more securely and reduces sore spots. Fit also depends on your bone, gums and the denture itself, so results vary. If you want even more stability, we can also talk about implant-supported dentures, which attach to implants in the jaw.
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Find us in Sedano's Plaza.
18600 NW 87th Ave #125
Hialeah, FL 33015
At NW 186th St & NW 87th Ave, minutes from Miami Lakes, Hialeah Gardens and Country Club. Parking right in the plaza.