Extractions

 TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance.  Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still sometimes necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted.  A tooth may need to be extracted for the following reasons:

·         Severe decay

·         Advanced periodontal disease

·         Infection or abcess

·         Orthodontic correction

·         Malpositioned teeth

·         Fractured teeth or roots

·         Impacted teeth

 After careful examination and treatment, the dentist may advise to have a tooth extracted.  Before a tooth is removed, the dentist will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone.  You will not even need to leave the office.  One of our highly skilled specialists is an oral surgeon with more than twenty years of experience. Back to top

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned.  Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may also grow in sideways, emerge only part way through the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. 

A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure.  The dentist will numb the area in your mouth with a local anesthesia or use IV sedation so you are asleep during the procedure.

After the tooth is removed, we will provide care instructions to ensure proper healing.  Some discomfort and swelling may occur but will normally subside after a few days.  You should call your dentist if you have prolonged or severe discomfort, swelling, bleeding or fever.  Back to top

ENDODONTICS (ROOT CANALS)

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to the nerve. Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy, also. Once this occurs the nerve becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess). By the time the nerve is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very painful.

Symptoms that the nerve has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.

A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected area, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

Our Root Canal Specialist (Endodontist) utilizes state of the art technology which allows most root canals to be completed in just one visit.  His specialized endodontic microscope provides him with the ability to see areas that are impossible to see with the naked eye.  Back to top

DENTAL IMPLANTS

A dental implant is an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. In this procedure, a small titanium post is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows around it forming a tight connection. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, the dentist then works to attach the replacement tooth onto the top of the post. 

While implants are typically more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, they provide superior benefits.  This permanent solution has the advantages over bridge work that it does not stress the surrounding teeth for support, and, should the tooth wear out, another can simply be replaced on the post.

Implants can also be used as support as part of an implant bridge. This is an alternative to removable partial dentures, and has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period to acclimatize the patient who, once the work is done, only feels teeth, not metal supports intruding into the mouth. Second, this slows the bone loss occasioned by missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. And, best of all, of course, they don't have to be taken out all the time.

To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant.  You must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits as these are critical to the long-term success of dental implants. Back to top

THE IMPLANT PROCESS
The Implant Process is generally a three-part process which consists of placement of the implant, placement of the abutment and the final restorative case.

PLACEMENT OF THE ABUTMENT INTO THE IMPLANT
The abutment is a separate component that looks like a small metal post and is secured into the dental implant.   The abutment becomes an extension of the dental implant and completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. 

A final restorative case called a crown or bridge will be fabricated at a dental laboratory and will attach directly to the abutment.