The tuberosity is when there is a large protrusion behind the last molar, in the upper jaw that is covered by the gums. The protrusion itself is commonly known as a tuberosity. Usually, this wouldn't cause an issue, however there may be a need for a tuberosity reduction in some cases.
When You Should Have Tuberosity Reduction
If you have no tooth loss and therefore a healthy set of teeth, tuberosity shouldn't cause an issue. If you suffer from tooth loss in the upper jaw, it may present a problem if the tuberosity hangs down. When this happens, it can potentially cause an issue for dentures being fitted and secured in place. A denture is kept in place when a seal is created with the jaw and palate, however, a tuberosity can sometimes stop this seal from forming. If you are about to undergo dental implantation, you may need a tuberosity reduction beforehand to make the process easier.
Tuberosity Reduction Process
When it's been decided that you need to have a tuberosity reduction, we need to know the position of your sinus cavity. In some cases, the tuberosity can extend into the sinus cavity and therefore some dental x-rays will need to be done.
Our team will then create a cast of your jaw, which will let us know how much bone and tissue will need to be removed during the procedure. We will use this cast to form a guide, by grinding down the areas of the tuberosity.
The guide that we create will then fit over the top of your teeth. During the tuberosity reduction procedure, we will continue to test the guide to ensure that we are removing enough bone and tissue. Overall, the procedure is relatively simple and can be done under local anesthetic.
After the procedure has been completed, you will not be able to eat or drink as you normally would. This may last for a few days and you may experience some swelling around the area. If you would like to discuss this procedure with one of our team, contact the office today.
Dental Blog | Madison Oral Surgery and Dental Implants The doctors at Madison Oral Surgery and Dental Implants have provided this blog to help our patients and the community. We hope our blog will cover the many topics that you and your family may be interested in. Madison Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, 2921 Landmark Place, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53713 + (608) 960-7650 + madisonoralsurgeons.com + 12/5/2023 + Tags: Oral Surgeon, Dental Implants, All on 4, Wisdom Teeth Extractions
The tuberosity is when there is a large protrusion behind the last molar, in the upper jaw that is covered by the gums. The protrusion itself is commonly known as a tuberosity. Usually, this wouldn't cause an issue, however there may be a need for a tuberosity reduction in some cases.