A wisdom tooth that is deemed problematic is normally extracted to avoid any oral complications. To have a wisdom tooth removed, a small incision is made to open up the gum tissue over the tooth and remove any bone that is covering the tooth. Once the tooth is in view, it is gently grasped with a dental instrument, known as a forcep, and gently rocked back and forth to loosen it from the jaw bone and surrounding ligaments. Sometimes the tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces to make it easier or removal. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a wisdom tooth.

An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to fully pass through the gums for various reasons.

Impacted wisdom and cuspid (or canine) teeth are fairly common. To correct impacted teeth, there are a few treatment options. For impacted wisdom, the most common procedure is extraction. For impacted canine teeth, several treatment modalities are available. Treatment can involve orthodontics (braces) to allow open spaces for proper eruption, a visit to the oral surgeon to remove over retained primary (baby) teeth or to surgically expose the tooth and place an orthodontic bracket to help bring it down into proper alignment.

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is gently removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.

Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants are small anchors made of biocompatible metal called titanium, which are placed in the jawbone. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow custom made restorations such as crowns, bridges and dentures to be placed on the dental implants to complete your new smile.

CT Guided Implant Surgery is an innovative new technology that allows our doctors to perform virtual implant surgery prior to the procedure. Using 3D computerized imaging, the doctor can visualize the anatomy of the patient’s jaw and plan the exact placement of the implants. This technology also helps provide important information about bone quality and quantity before  surgery begins. This advance knowledge helps the doctor prepare for implant surgery and anticipate the necessary treatments, thus reducing the length of surgery and improving overall recovery times.

Bone grafting is the replacement or enhancement of bone around teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone collapses. Bone grafting is performed to reverse bone loss or enhance bone. The bone can be taken from parts of the body or from synthetic material. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses.

A sinus lift is a surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the premolar and molar areas of your mouth. An incision is made to add bone where the premolar and molar teeth were previously. A small circular shape is made in the bone to access the sinus and the sinus membrane is gently pushed up and away from the upper jaw. Once this is completed, bone graft material is filled into the space where the sinus was previously, the incision is closed and the healing process begins.

Stem cell banking allows patients to recover valuable stem cells from extracted teeth and then store those cells for potential use against future disease or injury.

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StemSave™Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), a growth factor, is a mixed gel that can be applied directly into tooth sockets and other sites. The use of PRP in tooth sockets after tooth extractions is capable of improving soft tissue healing and positively influencing bone regeneration.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a new approach to tissue regeneration. PRP derives from the centrifugation of a patient’s own blood and contains growth factors that influence wound healing. This is important in tissue repairing mechanisms. The use of PRP in surgical practice could have beneficial outcomes, reducing bleeding and enhancing soft tissue healing and bone regeneration.

Oral and maxillofacial pathology refers to the diseases of the mouth and the jaw. Treatment options vary based on the patient’s specific needs.

Sometimes a tooth fails to fully pass through the gums and your doctor will surgically expose the tooth by lifting up the gum covering the tooth and exposing the hidden tooth underneath.

An apicoectomy is a root tip surgery. This procedure removes a tooth’s root tip to prevent further infection of the root. To perform an apicoectomy, a small incision is made in the gum and bone over the tooth’s root. After the root tip is accessed, it is cleaned and sealed with a small filling. The gum is then stitched back into place with stitches.