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Tooth Extraction
When a failing tooth can not be saved with fillings or root canals, your dentist may recommend to have the tooth removed.
Extraction of a failing or infected tooth will help preserve and protect the surrounding teeth, gums, and bone.
Some conditions that may lead to a dental extraction include decay/deep cavities, bone loss and loose teeth, infections, or fracture of the crown or roots that can not be repaired. In other cases, you may be referred for extraction of a tooth before or during orthodontic treatment due to crowding of the surrounding teeth or incorrect positioning or impaction.
During your consultation a thorough exam will be performed and X-rays will be taken so that our specialist can create a custom treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Replacement
options, such as dental implants, can sometimes be placed the same day the tooth is removed.
If you are in pain and would like to have the procedure performed the same day, simply ask one of our care coordinators if you are a candidate for a same day procedure.
Our specialists are trained in all levels of anesthesia and sedation and are prepared to make your procedure as comfortable as possible. If you have seen your dentist or orthodontist recently and were given a referral, please bring it with you so that we can work with your dental providers to improve your overall oral health.
Wisdom Teeth
While some people have space in their jaws for wisdom teeth to grow into normally, the majority of people’s mouths are too small to accommodate the last four molars that develop. The teeth become trapped or “impacted” underneath the gums or bone tissue and will not successfully grow into your mouth.
Impacted teeth are usually noticed at a young age during your routine dental exams. Studies show that wisdom teeth can cause problems over your lifetime, and although you may not have symptoms currently, there could be issues going on underneath the surface that will become
problematic if not treated properly.
Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction even if they are not causing pain or discomfort. The reason dentists recommend removal at a younger age is because the roots of the wisdom teeth do not fully develop until around 18-21 years old. Once
the roots have fully grown, they are positioned closer to important structures such as nerves and other teeth, which makes removing them more complicated.
Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth can be growing at an angle and pushing against your other molars, causing infections and problems that may result in removing more than just the wisdom tooth if not detected early.
Removing wisdom teeth can help prevent pain and infection, gum disease and bone loss, damage to neighboring teeth, and the formation of bone cysts. Some signs that your wisdom teeth may be causing you problems include bad breath and foul taste, swollen or bleeding gums, difficulty opening your mouth, or pain that radiates to the side
of your face.
During your first visit, we will perform a thorough exam and take any necessary X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and discuss any problems they may be causing.
Most patients perform this procedure under an IV sedation which puts you in a comfortable sleep-like state that allows you to respond to your surgeon without remembering or feeling any discomfort.
Our specialists are board certified in anesthesia and strive to make your experience as comfortable as possible both during and after your surgery.
Dental Implants
There are many reasons why we lose teeth. Whether it be a history of gum disease or trauma, losing teeth can make us feel insecure about our smile, and can lead to long term oral health problems. Luckily, with the advent of dental implants (or posts), we now have a predictable and safe way of getting your teeth back and restoring your oral health.
For long term success on dental implants, precise placement of the post is critical. We use the most advanced imaging and 3D printing technology to place the post in the most ideal position within the gum and bone.
One of the best treatments for missing or failing teeth are dental implants. They are a long term solution that is built to last and provides you with a smile that looks and feels as natural as your own teeth.
A natural tooth consists of a crown (the part you see in your mouth), and a root (the support structure beneath the bone). Dental implants, similar to other time tested implants in the body, are made of titanium and replace the root portion of the tooth.
They are surgically placed beneath the bone and can provide replacement of one, several, or all of your missing or failing teeth. The implants will fuse with your jawbone, just like your natural tooth, allowing them to work and feel more natural than other replacement options.
We work closely with your dentist to then place the crown over the implants which not only allows you to chew and function at exceptional levels, but also retains your natural face shape
and smile by stopping further bone loss. Some patients are ready to have the implant placed the same day as the extraction, while others may be in need of more gum tissue and bone before the implant can be placed.
Our specialists will present you with comfortable and affordable treatment options that are customized to meet your specific needs.
Whether you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, we have the experts you need to help create a long lasting smile that looks and feels natural.
All-on-4
The All-on-4®️ is a revolutionary procedure that replaces your failing or missing teeth with a natural and permanent smile within 24 hours!
With the advancement of dental implants, techniques have developed to bring back a whole new set of teeth with the placement of just 4 to 6 dental implants in most cases. It may be possible to place the implants and have a new set of teeth the same day.
It will offer you the comfort and confidence that is likely missing with your removable dentures and also help to preserve bone in your jaw, which will help keep you smiling for years to come.
This revolutionary procedure allows our surgeons to replace all your upper or lower teeth with 4 strategically placed dental implants, which will hold your temporary new set of teeth that same day. Once your dental implants heal, your final smile will be permanently attached to the dental implants so you don’t need to worry about your teeth falling out while you eat or speak.
Full arch restoration will provide you with a brand new set of teeth that look and work like healthy, natural teeth.
Our board certified surgeons are ready to show you how the “All-on-4” procedure can help
transform your smile and your life.
TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joint, “TMJ” , is the name of the right and left joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull.
Just like your knees and shoulders, it is a very delicate space that involves many different bones and muscles that help you with different tasks like chewing and talking every day.
Problems with your jaw joint can develop at any age and for many different reasons. Damage to the bones, ligaments, and muscles can cause discomfort and pain that may be temporary early on, but if left untreated can worsen over time.
Symptoms like pain and tenderness in your head, face, jaw, in or around your ears, especially when eating, speaking, or opening wide could be related to problems with your joints or muscles. Clicking, popping, or locking open or closed, especially when it becomes painful, are likely related to disorders of the jaw joint and can become worse over time and lead to difficulties opening wide and chewing.
There are many options for treatment of the TMJ and related muscles of the face and neck that can offer you immediate and long term pain relief.
Our board certified dentists and surgeons are here to help diagnose and treat your pain and discomfort by customizing treatment that maximizes relief and minimizes headache.
Facial Trauma
Facial trauma includes any injury to the bones or soft tissue of the face, from the forehead to your chin, and from your skin to your teeth and oral cavity.
Our board certified surgeons and dentists are experts in the management of facial trauma to the head and oral cavity.
Injuries may include cuts or lacerations to the skin, avulsed or “knocked out” teeth, or broken bones. These injuries can be caused by events such as accidents, sports injuries, falls, and even violence.
If this is a true medical emergency then proceed to your nearest emergency room where an oral surgeon on call will work with the hospital team to treat your emergency facial injury.
Many times, if not life threatening, your injury can be evaluated and treated in the office setting.
It is critical to treat facial and dental injuries as soon as possible so that form and function can be restored, and scarring and disfigurement can be prevented.
Treating facial injuries is both an art and a science. The advanced training received by our board certified surgeons will help restore you back to health in a way that both looks and feels as natural as possible.
Impacted Canines
The canine teeth (eye tooth) are some of the most important teeth in the mouth and act to guide other teeth into position and help you bite and chew food properly. They are usually the last teeth to erupt into the front of the mouth and can be seen around age 13. Children should be screened by an Orthodontist at age 7 to monitor the development of teeth.
By checking at an early age you may be able to avoid extensive surgery down the road. Similar to wisdom teeth, they can become stuck under the gums or bone, “impacted”, if there is not enough room for them to move into the correct position. Teeth can become impacted for many different reasons, including having extra teeth, crowding, or being blocked from coming into the right position.
Because these teeth are so important, your Orthodontist and Oral Surgeon will work together to try and bring these teeth into the right position.
Sometimes it is as easy as removing whatever is blocking them, but other times they need to be moved into the correct position. This is done by placing a small bracket, similar to the one used for braces, that has a chain on it directly onto the impacted tooth. This will allow your Orthodontist to gently direct the tooth into the correct position.
When this procedure is performed at an early age, there is a good chance the tooth can be moved into the correct position. As we get older, our bone becomes harder and the tooth is more difficult to move, which may result in extraction or removing the tooth.
Our surgeons are here to evaluate your unique situation and provide you with a customized treatment plan that brings you closer to a proper bite and healthy, beautiful smile.
Oral Pathology
Oral pathology is a term that describes any disease of the mouth, jaws, salivary glands, and other structures in and around the mouth.
The inside of your mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and pink in color. Any changes in the appearance or shape of this tissue could be a warning sign that a disease, or “pathological” process, is occurring on the surface or in the tissues underneath.
While many types of oral pathology are benign and treatable, some diseases, such as oral cancer or severe infections, can have serious consequences if left untreated. The sooner oral pathology is detected, the more successful the treatment.
Some warning signs that may appear in or around your mouth may include ulcers or sores that do not heal, red or white patches that do not go away, lumps or bumps in the mouth, face, or neck, and sore throats that cause difficulty swallowing or chewing.
If you notice any changes in or around your mouth, or are experiencing any symptoms of pain or discomfort, it is important to be evaluated immediately by someone that can diagnose and treat oral pathology.
Our specialists have completed extensive training in identifying, diagnosing, and treating head and neck pathology.
It is important to remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore any suspicious lumps or sores that may occur. We are here to offer our expert support and treatment of any oral and facial pathology.
Bone Grafting
Preprosthetic Surgery
Bone grafting and preprosthetic surgery are procedures that are done in preparation for tooth replacement, implant therapy, or denture fabrication.
These procedures help restore and contour bone and tissue that has resulted from missing teeth, tissue irregularities, facial injuries, or other local and genetic reasons.
The goal is to prepare you for delivery of an implant, dentures, or other tooth replacement options. This may require removing and smoothing areas that have too much tissue to allow for better fit and function of your dental prosthesis.
If there is not enough bone or soft tissue to allow for placement of your dental prosthesis, then grafting procedures can be done. Some examples include socket preservation, ridge expansion,
sinus lifts, nerve repositioning, and connective tissue grafting.
Depending on your specific needs, the tissue may come from other places in your mouth, or from a tissue bank that specializes in the preparation of bone and soft tissue for oral use.
Our experts are well trained in a variety of procedures that will help prepare your mouth for a comfortable and permanent solution to your failed or missing teeth.
We offer different forms of sedation to assure that you are comfortable and pain free throughout
your treatment.
Nerve Injury Repair
Injury to the peripheral sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve (nerves that provide feeling to the face and oral structures) are well known complications of a variety of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures, including third molar (wisdom teeth) removal, endodontic (root canal) procedures, dental implant placement, facial trauma, and other oral and facial procedures.
Repair of select nerves in the facial region can be done if the diagnosis is made in a timely fashion.
Most commonly repaired injured nerves are: Lingual Nerve (usually presenting with a numb tongue and lack of taste) and the Inferior Alveolar Nerve (usually presenting as a numb lip and
chin).
Call our office with questions or to book an online appointment.
Nitrous Oxide
“Laughing Gas”
A light relaxing effect that allows you to remain conscious throughout, and be able to safely drive yourself home afterwards.
Conscious Oral Sedation
Prescribed medication taken at the office that allows you to maintain a relaxed, sleep like state throughout.
This can be mixed with laughing gas to achieve a slightly deeper state of relaxation.
Deep IV Sedation
“Sleep Dentistry”
Our board certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon will safely administer medications through an IV that will bring you into a deep, dream like state. You will be very comfortable and likely not recall the
procedure being performed, however you will continue to breathe naturally.
