Pre-prosthetic Considerations: Essentials and Techniques

Webinar Coordinator:
Prof. Ebru Çal

Abstract:
Preprosthetic stage is a major step in the complex oral rehabilitation of the edentulous patients by fixed prosthetic restorations with dental or implant support. The goal of the preprosthetic stage is to prepare the oral tissues and muco-osseous support for a prosthesis that will prove clinical long-term performances regarding the restoration of oral functions (mastication, speech, swallowing) and aesthetics. The preprosthetic stage must consider also non-surgical approaches as follows: restorative dental procedures, endodontic treatments, non-surgical periodontal procedures, occlusal adjustments, non-surgical treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Preprosthetic interventions at the level of the oral soft tissues include periodontal surgery, periodontal regeneration procedures, frenectomy, frenoplasty, vestibuloplasty. Preprosthetic interventions at the level of the oral hard tissues are performed to correct or augment the maxillary and mandibular bone volume by various augmentation techniques (vertical and lateral ridge augmentation techniques, guided bone regeneration procedures, maxillary sinus lifting and onlay block bone grafting, ridge splitting, distraction osteogenesis). Various categories of bone addition materials (bone grafts) are used as follows: autogenous bone, allografts, xenografts, alloplasts. Other objectives of the preprosthetic procedures are as follows: preservation or improvement of jaw structure, improvement of the patient’s sense quality of life, , elimination of the areas with potential to pain and discomfort. Orthodontic treatments can be associated to correct skeletal discrepancies in the jaws relationships.
Key words: preprosthetic, soft tissues, alveolar bone, surgery, guided bone regeneration.