Preprosthetic Surgery
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The prosthetic replacement of lost or congenitally absent teeth frequently involves surgical preparation of the remaining oral tissues to support the best possible prosthetic replacement. Preprosthetic surgery refers to the surgical procedures that can modify the oral anatomy to facilitate the retention of conventional dentures. The objective of preprosthetic surgery is to create proper supporting structures for subsequent placement of prosthetic appliances.

The alveolar process (ridge) is the thickened ridge of bone that contains the tooth sockets on bones that bear teeth. It is also referred to as the alveolar bone. In humans, the tooth-bearing bones are the maxilla and the mandible.

On the maxilla, the alveolar process is a ridge on the inferior surface, and on the mandible it is a ridge on the superior surface. It makes up the thickest part of the maxillary bone.

Many minor modifications of the alveolar ridge and vestibular areas can greatly improve denture stability and retention. By the way, in some cases, patients have severe bone changes or soft tissue abnormalities that require more extensive surgical preparation before implant placement or before the prosthetic appliance can be properly constructed and worn.

• The best denture support has the following characteristics

- No evidence of intraoral or extraoral pathologic conditions
- Proper jaw relationship in anteroposterior, transverse and vertical dimensions
- Alveolar processes that are as large as possible and of the proper configuration
- No bony or soft tissue protuberances or undercuts
- Adequate attached keratinized mucosa in the primary denture bearing area
- Adequate vestibular depth
- Adequate form and tissue coverage for possible implant placement