Will having my mandibular torii removed have any implications of future viability for implants? i am waiting for surgery to have my remaining 13 teeth (fragments, really) removed and to have my mandibular torii removed in order to more easily facilitate a

The : The reason for removing the tori is to recontour the ridge in order to make the dentures able to rest on top of the the jaw bone. Typically the boney areas that are removed would not be in areas that an implant would be placed. Bone will resorb in areas that are edentulous (no teeth) which in time will cause the denture to become loose and ill fitting. Furthermore, lower dentures are more prone to moving. The tongue and the movement of floor of the mouth can dislodge the denture. Upper dentures have a greater area of retention because the tongue is not in the way, and the suction cup effect that helps hold the denture in place is more easily achieved. Dental implants can be used to help anchor a denture in place. They can be placed prior to the fabrication of the denture, as well as being placed after fabrication of the denture. Due to the amount of teeth being extracted and the bone recontouring, you will have to allow some healing time prior to taking impressions. You can have dentures made and see if they are retentive enough for you. If you find that they are too mobile, implants can be placed and the denture can be altered to fit the implants. Bottom line is that tori are an obstruction and that area would not be used to place the implants. Therefore, removing them will not preclude you from having implants, and keeping them might prevent a denture from seating properly.

Yes, : Yes, having lower tori removed (as in your words) more easily facilitates a lower denture. The presence of tori impede the comfort & fit of a denture. They offer no support to a denture or to future implant placement. Remove them now so they do not interfere with your future decisions.

It : It sounds as if you are on the right track. The tori will block the space where your denture should go over the mini implants in the future. Removing them at this time will hopefully save you from a second surgery. Many dentists are now using lasers to remove tori with greater comfort and quicker healing.

None: If you are getting a denture, then the best route is to have the tori removed. However, if you are getting the implants, you may not need them removed. I have been doing this for over 30 years and rarely do we need them removed. If you are getting fixed teeth on the implants then they likely do not need removal at all. See a prosthodontist before proceeding. It will be worth it.