Tooth extractions are routine dental procedures used to remove decayed, damaged or otherwise problematic teeth. Dentists usually make every effort to preserve natural teeth, although sometimes an extraction is necessary. Although the procedure is performed in a dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office, it is considered surgery. Depending on which teeth are removed, they may be replaced with a dental implant or another oral prosthetic. Did You Know? Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a substance taken from your own blood that helps to promote healing.  When applied after a tooth extraction, PRF helps to stimulate the healing process and acts as a bioactive band-aid. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need a tooth extraction? There are several reasons why you could need a tooth extraction. The most common cause of tooth extractions is severe tooth decay and cavities. However, many patients also undergo extractions for impacted teeth – particularly wisdom teeth. Other causes for extraction include advanced periodontal disease, cracked teeth, and teeth that are severely malformed. Although many circumstances that require extraction are unavoidable, some could be prevented with regular visits to the dentist for exams and cleanings. However, only your dentist can tell you if you need a tooth extraction. To determine if an extraction is needed, schedule an appointment with our office today. What should I expect during my tooth extraction appointment? If you and your dentist decide to extract one or more teeth, you will be scheduled to return for oral surgery at a later date. You will be given a local anesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure, and you may be prescribed medications to help manage pain in the hours following your extraction. Depending on the nature of your extraction and other factors, such as whether your teeth are impacted, you may also be sedated or given general anesthesia during your procedure. What type of post-treatment care will I need to follow? We place platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) around the extraction site in order to improve local blood supply, enhance healing, and shorten the recovery process. Nevertheless, post-operative care following a tooth extraction is essential for healing and preventing complications. You will be instructed to avoid certain foods and also keep the surgical site clean at all times. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, it is important that you complete the course of treatment to prevent infection. Finally, you may be advised to avoid smoking or drinking through a straw, as doing so may delay the healing process and cause a condition known as ‘dry socket.’

Learn More! Ridge and sinus augmentations are surgical dental procedures used to fill in areas of the gum line and underlying bone that have deteriorated as a result of tooth loss or extraction. Specifically, a ridge augmentation refers to the reconstruction of degenerated or underdeveloped gums, and a sinus augmentation refers to an enhancement of the amount and consistency of the maxillary jaw bone by lifting the sinus floor and grafting bone into the jaw line. These state of the art procedures are capable of restoring a natural appearance to, as well as making it possible for some patients to qualify for dental implants. Did you know: That tooth loss is not the only reason for getting a ridge or sinus augmentation? Many patients have deteriorated gum lines or inadequate jaw bone support caused by oral diseases, such as periodontal disease, or a physical trauma to the face. Others experience bone atrophy caused by prolonged denture wear. By grafting in bone and building up the gum line, a dentist can make it possible for a patient’s jaw and gums to support permanent dental implants. Frequently Asked Questions Am I a candidate for sinus or ridge augmentation? You may be a candidate for a sinus or ridge augmentation if you have been denied dental implants in the past due to inadequate supporting tissues. You may also qualify if your receded gum line is a source of insecurity or embarrassment. To find out more about sinus and ridge augmentations and whether you qualify, contact your dentist for a consultation today. What should I expect during a sinus or ridge augmentation? Ridge augmentations begin with the administration of a local anesthetic used to numb treatment areas and prevent pain. Graft material will then be placed into the tooth socket where the missing tooth once was. Your dentist will then pull surrounding gum tissue over the graft material and suture it shut. Sinus lift augmentations are similar, except your dentist will instead make an incision to expose the sinus floor and use hard graft materials to build up the sinus floor. The site will be sutured shut and allowed time to heal before additional treatments, such as a dental implant, are completed. Will I need to follow any special instructions following my procedure? It is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort following your procedure though these symptoms should subside within a few days.

Learn More! Guided implant surgery is a method that allows dentists to plan your implant surgery on a computer using Computerized Tomography (CT) as opposed to traditional panoramic x-rays that offer the dentist a limited approach during the planning and execution of the oral surgery. This technique ensures a more accurate process from plan to execution. Did you know: Guided implant surgery uses CT imaging to diagnose you before the surgery and develop a treatment plan. Generally, you can expect to first have a cat scan, go through treatment planning with your dentist, and then go through the implant surgery. Frequently Asked Questions: What are the benefits of guided implant surgery? There are a variety of benefits to guided implant surgery. This method of treatment is far less invasive. The time spent under anesthesia is usually much less than traditional dental implant surgery. Because this surgery is usually flapless, the recovery time is typically shorter. While traditional implant surgery requires extensive bone grafting, guided implant surgery helps minimize the amount of grafting needed. What is the guided implant procedure like? The guided implant procedure works in three steps, after the initial visit and planning session. A surgical implant will be created to guide the dentist in the procedure. He/she will grind any rough edges down using a bur and disinfect it. Once this is done they will secure the surgical implant using a bite index and secure it using the anchor pin. Finally, they’ll remove the soft tissue using a tool called a tissue punch. The doctor will then begin drilling into the bone to prepare it for the implants and then place a provisional restoration that was created prior to the surgery.

  Learn More! For decades, dentures have been the go-to solution for missing tooth replacement. These dental prosthetics are carefully crafted for a shape and appearance that is unique to each patient. As technology has improved, dentures have been made to look more natural than ever – often undetectable to other people. But despite their versatility and effectiveness, one feature has been problematic for denture wearers: the fit. Even though dentures are designed to fit snugly over the gum line, the bone beneath it inevitably deteriorates over time. This causes dentures to slip, slide and even come out when talking or chewing. Fortunately, the use of dental implants has changed the way people wear dentures, making them more secure and easier to wear than ever before. Dental implants are titanium rods placed within the jaw bone in place of a natural tooth root. The bone fuses to the implant, forming an anchor for tooth prosthetics, such as dentures. When patients choose implant retained dentures, they get the flexibility of a denture with the permanence of an implant. Did you know: That 30 million people in America are currently missing all of their teeth – either in their upper jaw, lower jaw, or both? Many of these people are candidates for complete implant retained dentures. But partial dentures are common too. In fact, 178 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth, qualifying most for an implant retained crown. Frequently Asked Questions: Am I a candidate for implant retained dentures ? Implant retained dentures are a solution for many, but not all patients. If you are missing one or more teeth, contact our office to schedule a consultation. To qualify for dental implants, you must have adequate bone structure to support the implant. How long does it take to get an implant retained denture? Because dental implants and dentures are custom-made to fit each patient, it can take several weeks or months before the process is complete. After an initial consultation, an appointment will be made to remove any teeth than need to be replaced and begin inserting implants into the jaw. A mold will be taken of the newly fitted implants, which a dental lab will use to fabricate dentures for the patient. If there are any natural teeth remaining, the dentures will be created to mimic their shape, size and color. I don’t have enough bone to support an implant retained denture. What options are available to me? If the jaw bone that once supported your missing teeth has already eroded, you may still be able to qualify for dental implants by undergoing a bone grafting procedure. During this treatment, the jaw bone is built up to sustain an implant. For more information about implant retained dentures and whether they are right for you, contact our office.