ORAL SURGERY

Our office is equipped to handle routine dental extractions. Teeth may need to be extracted (or removed) for various reasons. If a tooth is severely decayed, cracked, or malformed, extraction may be the treatment of choice if it cannot be restored by other dental treatments.
Another indication for tooth extraction includes having inadequate space for the 3rd molars (wisdom teeth). In this case, removal of the wisdom teeth will prevent future crowding and/or damage to the adjacent molars.
Extraction of select teeth may also be planned as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. That is, if there is severe crowding of the teeth, it may be necessary to remove certain teeth prior to correcting their alignment.

Soft tissue lasers may be used to perform various surgical procedures of the gums and oral tissues that previously required great amounts of anesthesia and incisions. Lasers are beneficial because they minimize the amount of anesthesia required during treatment as well as reduce the amount of discomfort and bleeding during and after the procedure when compared to conventional surgical techniques.

What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are titanium screws that are placed in the upper and/or lower jaw bones to support various dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, and even complete dentures. Therefore, dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, a few teeth, or all of your teeth. The materials from which the implants are fabricated are compatible with the human body and thus are a safe and effective way to replace teeth.

BioHorizon Implants
In our office, we place BioHorizons dental implants. These implants have specific design characteristics to allow for superior esthetic results and improved chewing and function over other dental implants.



Implant-Retained Crowns
When a single tooth or a few teeth are missing, one or more implants may be placed in the space. A dental crown, or "cap", is then fabricated to fit on top of the implant to restore the approximate shape, color, and function of the original tooth.

Implant-Retained Bridges
When several adjacent teeth are missing, two or more implants may be placed in the space. A dental bridge is then fabricated that attaches to the implants and "bridges" the intervening space with porcelain false teeth. The implant-retained bridge is a "fixed" restoration, meaning that the patient does not remove the prosthesis for cleaning or maintenance.

Implant-Retained Dentures and Hybrid Prosthesis
When all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw are missing, implants may be placed to add support and retention to a traditional denture. The denture is made in the conventional fashion; however, clips are added to the inside of the denture to which the implants may attach.

Alternatively, a hybrid prosthesis may be used. In this case, implants are placed in the jaw bone and a custom milled bar is attached to the implants. A modified denture then fits onto the bar. The advantage of the hybrid prosthesis is that the amount of material in the denture is reduced, thus making the prosthesis more comfortable for the patient.

Are Dental Implants Right For Me?
While dental implants can provide an exciting and dependable solution for replacing missing teeth, they are not ideal for every patient or every situation. Due to the surgical nature of the placement of implants, a thorough review of your medical history shall be performed prior to considering implants. Additionally, the quantity and quality of the existing bone must be sufficient for the placement of the implant(s).

If you are considering replacing missing teeth with dental implants, we may provide you with a consult to discuss your options.