The realm of oral surgery encompasses many different aspects of dentistry and oral health. Many people are familiar with oral surgery through the extraction of their wisdom teeth. While that is a very common procedure performed by oral surgeons, the scope of practice includes much more than this one category of extractions.
Oral surgery involves the treatment of both functional and esthetic dental problems in the mouth and the surrounding jaw and facial regions. This includes the jaw joints (TemporoMandibular Joints or TMJs), and many patients who suffer from TMJ disorders or dysfunctions see an oral surgeon for diagnosis and treatment of their jaw problem.
Oral surgeons extract many teeth that have a poor or hopeless prognosis from deep decay, cracks, failed root canal treatments, or severe gum disease. Dentists who do perform tooth extractions may refer teeth that may require a complicated extraction to an oral surgeon.
Oral surgeons have additional education and training in the treatment of medically compromised patients. Many oral surgeons complete two or more years of medical school during their training. When patients have complex medical histories, an oral surgeon can safely manage the entire body during any necessary dental surgery or other treatments.
Our doctors are highly skilled and compassionate in their care for our patients with oral surgery needs.
Replacing Missing Teeth with All-on-4 Implants A dental treatment that is rapidly gaining popularity for the replacement of missing teeth is all on 4 dental implants. The name describes this treatment perfectly, as it is a dental prosthesis replacing “all” of the missing teeth in an arch (upper or lower) “on 4 dental implants”. Dental
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When it comes to oral surgery, the first thing many people think of is wisdom teeth. Close on its heels comes the thought of being “put to sleep” for their removal. You are correct in thinking that most people do opt for sedation when having their wisdom teeth removed. Many people choose IV sedation for
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All on 4 Implants When it comes to replacing missing teeth, you have a number of options! One of the options that is rapidly gaining in popularity is commonly referred to simply as “all on 4”. We will describe this dental treatment option in detail here. What is All on 4? All on 4 is a dental
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People suffering from chronic sinus infections or inflammation are surprised to hear from a doctor or dentist that it could be related to their teeth. Both dental infections and dental treatments can affect the sinus cavities on certain teeth. We’ll explain that relationship here. How are the Teeth Related to the Sinuses? In general, the
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When you are facing a tooth extraction, there are many important things to consider. One is whether or not you plan to replace the extracted tooth in the future. If you do, and a dental implant is one of the treatment options, then our title question is an important one to ask. A bone graft
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Can I Have an Infected Tooth Extracted, or Do I Have to Take Antibiotics First? When it comes to tooth infections, the appropriate treatment can literally save your life. In rare cases, tooth infections spread into the airway, bloodstream or brain and cause death. Tooth infections are bacterial in origin, and taking prescription antibiotics is
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How Do I Prevent Dry Socket After a Tooth Extraction? We understand that many patients fear the potential complications from a tooth extraction as much as the extraction itself. The one that seems to incite the most fear is dry socket. That’s because it is quite common, and it causes a lot of pain. What
read moreSedation dentistry uses medication to help you relax and sit still comfortably when you have dental work done. Sedation is especially helpful if you have oral surgery by relieving any anxiety and making you comfortable. There are varying degrees of medication sedation that can be used such as light or minimal sedation, medium or moderate
read moreThere are times when a permanent adult tooth may need to be pulled whether it’s due to a severely decayed tooth, infected tooth pulp, severe gum disease or to make room for braces (to prevent overcrowding). A tooth might also be extracted if someone is going to have an organ transplant or chemotherapy/radiation. Occasionally, when
read moreWhen it comes to taking care of the oral tissues, one of the things that often comes up is a frenectomy. This dental surgical procedure is done to remove a section of the frenulum, that small fold of mucous membrane which joins the floor of the mouth to the midline of the bottom of the
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