Wisdom Teeth

We recommend that the wisdom teeth be removed sooner than later, preferably during the mid- to late teens, even if they haven’t begun to emerge from the gums yet. The oral surgery extraction process is much more rapid if wisdom teeth are removed early because the roots of the teeth are not fully developed, and younger patients are more likely to recover quickly from surgery. Wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to grow properly are known as impacted wisdom teeth.

Antibiotic Treatment

If you are suffering from periodontal disease, there are many antibiotic treatments available to you at By Design Dental which can be used in combination with the surgical treatments that you may need. Antibiotic treatments play a large role in decreasing the bacteria present in the mouth both before and after surgical treatment and prevent additional infection.

Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is an oral surgery treatment performed when a patient has an infection inside the tooth root. This infection can develop in the front teeth, which have one root, and at the back of the mouth in the premolars and molars, which have two roots. Infections inside the tooth root cannot be easily seen from the outside because they occur deep within the canal of the root.

Bone Grafting

Patients who have been missing a tooth or several teeth for an extended period may need to undergo a bone grafting procedure. When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the jaw bone begins to deteriorate, making it very difficult to perform some tooth replacement procedures, such as dental implant placement. Without enough bone present for the implant to attach itself to the jaw, the implant is often not stable enough to support the tooth crown, and future complications may arise.

Crown Lengthening

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform crown lengthening procedures to correct a gummy smile or prepare the mouth for tooth restoration or certain cosmetic procedures. While many patients have never heard of a crown lengthening procedure, it is a commonly performed treatment option for reshaping or recontouring bone or gum tissue in the mouth and can have a dramatic impact on the aesthetic appearance of the face and smile.

Dental Emergencies

Oral and facial dental emergencies are not uncommon and can vary in their complexity. Some patients undergo facial trauma and experience fractured or broken teeth, tooth loss, or broken jaw or facial bones. Others may bite on a hard object and lose, break, or crack a tooth or a crown. It is always best to seek immediate treatment from an oral surgeon when you have a dental emergency.

Facial Trauma

Many people may think that facial trauma situations are rare, but there are more than three million cases of maxillofacial trauma admitted each year to hospitals throughout the United States. Just like a neurosurgeon is called upon to treat trauma to the brain, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is asked to manage and treat maxillofacial trauma cases. It is common for oral and maxillofacial surgeons to be busy members of any emergency room trauma team.

General Extraction

Many patients who experience tooth decay or damage can have their condition treated by their general dentist with a crown, filling, or root canal. Unfortunately, when the damage is too extensive for treatment, the tooth must be removed. If the tooth removal case is complex or the patient has a history of severe gum disease or health problems, a general dentist will refer their patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the general extraction of the tooth.

Gum & Jaw Bone Treatments

Patients who have experienced facial trauma, suffer from periodontal disease, or are born with oral birth defects are often candidates for gum and jaw bone treatments to correct their functional and aesthetic problems. The doctors at By Design Dental are happy to provide their patients with the treatment necessary to restore the ability to speak, chew, and breathe, as well as the beautiful smile that every patient deserves.

Impacted Tooth Exposure

Your teeth grow into your mouth by erupting through the gums into their natural position. Sometimes, though, a tooth gets stuck and does not properly emerge. When a tooth does not emerge or only partially grows into the mouth, it is impacted. The most common impacted teeth are the wisdom teeth and the canines.

Oral Pathology

Because we use our mouths for so many tasks, such as eating, speaking, and breathing, our mouths have an increased risk for disorders and infections. Oral pathology refers to any disease that can develop in the mouth, salivary glands, or jaws. While many oral pathologies are benign, it is always important to get an early evaluation and proper treatment of any oral abnormalities to avoid severe complications or the need for a more extensive surgical procedure.

Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

It is common for patients to replace a missing tooth or teeth with a partial or complete denture. When a patient is preparing to receive any removable prosthetic appliance, the doctor must first make sure that the patient’s mouth is ready to support the prosthesis comfortably to avoid any discomfort or afflictions that may arise from an improper fit. For some patients, the shape of the mouth or the ridge may not be ideal to receive the prosthesis; if this is the case, a surgical procedure is necessary to ensure proper fit and maximum comfort.

Root Amputation

When teeth are injured or suffer from extensive decay or disease, tooth removal may be necessary to preserve the health of the rest of the mouth. Prosthetic restoration of the extracted tooth can be a costly, time-consuming process, often leaving the individual without a functioning tooth for months. By Design Dental offers a specialized oral surgical procedure that can prevent tooth removal. This allows the patient to keep his or her natural tooth. During root amputation, a single root can be removed from a multi-root tooth to save the injured or diseased tooth from extraction.