Vestibuloplasty
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Vestibuloplasty is a procedure used to reshape the soft tissues inside the mouth, often as part of a larger treatment plan involving dentures or dental implants. Following tooth loss, the jawbone and surrounding gum tissues can gradually change, making it more difficult to properly support a dental restoration. Vestibuloplasty helps address these changes by adjusting the position of the gums and surrounding tissues to create more space and improve the fit and stability of replacement teeth.
This procedure is commonly recommended for patients preparing to receive traditional dentures or certain types of implant-supported restorations. Depending on your needs, vestibuloplasty may involve repositioning the soft tissues to increase the depth of the space between the gums and the cheeks or lips. The extent of treatment will depend on the amount of tissue and bone loss, as well as the size of the area being treated. By improving the shape and position of the surrounding tissues, vestibuloplasty can help create a more suitable foundation for dental restorations.
To learn more about vestibuloplasty and the other procedures available at Northeast Texas Periodontal Specialists, please review the information below. To schedule a consultation, contact our Rockwall office at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Vestibuloplasty
Consultation & Procedure
An initial consultation will be necessary to determine whether a vestibuloplasty procedure is necessary and whether dental implants or dentures are the best treatment option for you. If it is determined that the procedure is needed, we will discuss what you can expect from the procedure and answer any questions you may have, after which a follow-up appointment will be scheduled.
The procedural steps of the vestibuloplasty procedure will largely depend on how much correction and repair is necessary, and may be performed with a scalpel or laser. Before beginning the vestibular surgical procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you experience minimal discomfort, along with dental sedation. We offer several different dental sedation options, including oral and IV sedation to ensure you are calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. Although every patient will have a slightly different experience, there is usually minimal pain during the procedure, thanks to the use of anesthetics.
Once you are comfortable and sufficiently numbed, the procedure will begin. There are several different techniques for performing this procedure, but in most cases incisions are made to separate muscle attachments and connective tissue at the base of where the gums and cheeks meet in order to deepen the area, after which the cheek is stitched into place. If the primary issue is tissue shrinkage, grafted tissue (either taken from the patient’s palate or donor material) may be used to strengthen and build up the gums in the area in order to support the denture plate or implant. If the loss of bone is substantial, a bone graft (often taken from the patient’s hip) or synthetic device may be used.
If the procedure is being performed as part of a treatment plan for dentures, the appliance will either be made before the surgery or after you have completed the healing process. In some cases, the dentures may be placed after stitches are removed, but most commonly you will need to wait several weeks before the dentures are placed.
Vestibuloplasty
Aftercare Following Treatment
We will provide you with post-operative instructions following your vestibuloplasty procedure. To avoid developing complications and ensure a fast recovery process, it is essential that you follow these instructions closely.
Following the procedure, you will likely experience mild to moderate pain. A prescription pain medication may be given, which should be taken as prescribed; otherwise, pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief medications. You may also be given antibiotics, which should be taken as directed until the prescription runs out. Moderate swelling may also occur, which can be managed with ice therapy. You will also need to follow a modified diet for some time following the procedure. The length of time on this diet will vary depending on the severity of your case, but you can generally plan on starting with a liquid diet, progressing to soft foods like soup, eggs, or Jell-O, and begin slowly reintroducing harder foods as the healing progresses.
If stitches are used, you will need to return within 10-14 days to have them removed. Most patients will be completely healed from the vestibuloplasty procedure within 4-6 weeks, after which the dentures can be placed. Though uncommon, the risks of having a vestibuloplasty procedure performed include an increased risk of infection, swelling, and bleeding, and in very rare cases, muscle and nerve tissue may incur damage, which can result in facial sagging or drooping.
Vestibuloplasty
costs associated
The cost of your vestibuloplasty procedure will depend on the severity of your case, the number of appointments necessary, and what type of dental sedation is used. The overall cost will also be impacted by the follow up procedures required once you have completed the healing process.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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