Tooth that needs to be extracted
Extraction of wisdom tooth/teeth
Not enough bone in the mouth to have implants
Deficiency in jawbone causing problems in the functionality of the teeth as well as the esthetic appearance

The Solution:

There are different types of oral surgery, but the following are the ones that we perform in our practice:

Wisdom Teeth Extraction:

The average adult has 32 teeth by the age of 18; however, the average mouth is made to hold 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These 4 extra teeth are the wisdom teeth.
The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are positioned poorly inside the mouth because this can cause many problems like infection, gum disease, cavities, formation of cysts, and crowding of teeth. The result is swelling, stiffness, pain and illness.

Early removal is recommended to avoid future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved in the procedure.

Minor complications that may occur after extraction of wisdom teeth:

Dry Socket: this is the inflammation of the bone the teeth were in. Smoking, spitting or drinking from a straw, which creates negative pressure in the oral cavity, may aggravate this condition. The main symptom of a dry socket is severe, dull throbbing excruciating pain that develops 3 to 4 days after extraction, and is not relieved by oral painkillers. If you experience such a symptom after extraction PLEASE CALL US!!

Post-op Infection: infection can occur 4 to 5 days after extraction. Very often it is a continuation of a pre-existing infection. The signs of infection are increasing swelling and discomfort. If you think you are getting these symptoms DON’T WAIT, CALL US!!

Temporary problems: you may experience some temporary problems like stiffness of the jaws, facial bruising or blood oozing from the extraction site. The post-op instructions we provide should answer many of the questions related to these more common concerns. If not, don’t hesitate to call us.

Bone Grafting:

Bone grafting is growing new bone where there is a defect of deficiency in the jawbones, to restore functionality and esthetic appearance of the teeth.
There are several applications for bone grafting in the mouth:

Growing bones that have been lost due to Gum Disease.
Building up jawbone to accept dental implants where there is a deficiency. This is sometimes needed, as once the natural tooth is lost; the bone in the area gradually shrinks.
Grafting of the sinus in the upper jaw so that dental implants can be placed. With long-term tooth loss in the back of the upper jaw, bone grafting the sinus sometimes is needed.
Defects in the jaws caused by dental infections and impacted teeth sometimes benefit by a grafting procedure. Oral Pathology

Oral Pathology:

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in the appearance to this skin could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is ORAL CANCER!
The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathologic process or cancerous growth:

Reddish patches or whitish patches in the mouth
A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
Chronic sore throat of hoarseness
Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and IT IS NOT often associated with oral cancer.

Do not ignore any of the above symptoms. CALL US to help you!!