22 Sep Common Oral Surgery Procedures at Prescott Dentistry
At Prescott Dentistry, we understand that most of our clients prefer to have necessary oral surgery procedures performed in the comfort of our own practice, rather than being referred out to unfamiliar specialists, who are often more expensive. For this reason, our doctors perform a wider variety of oral surgery procedures than most family dentists, including extractions, biopsies, implants, and root surgeries. We use holistic, supportive therapies such as ozone/oxygen therapy and surgical lasers to maximize healing and make procedures less-invasive. Here are a few common oral surgery procedures we can perform in-house.
1. Extractions
Common reasons for a tooth extraction include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Severe tooth decay
- Broken or fractured teeth
A simple extraction can be performed above the gumline and does not require breaking the tooth or the use of surgical techniques. During a simple extraction, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and gum tissue. The tooth will be loosened with an instrument called an elevator, and finally removed with forceps.
A surgical extraction is a more complex procedure that is used for a tooth that may have broken off at the gumline or has not come in yet—such as a wisdom tooth. During a surgical extraction, your dentist will make a small incision in your gum and remove the underlying tooth. Occasionally some of the bone around the tooth will need to be removed or the tooth may need to be cut in half to extract it.
2. Biopsies
If your dentist suspects you might have oral cancer, you will need an oral biopsy. Oral cancers are a type of head and neck cancer. They include cancer in your mouth and oropharynx (tonsils, base of the tongue, and the soft palate). During this procedure, a small amount of tissue from your mouth or oropharynx is removed and sent to a pathologist, who will determine whether or not the cells are cancerous. The good news is that, when caught early, oral cancer is very treatable. We do oral cancer screenings as part of every new patient exam and every periodic exam during a cleaning appointment. Regular visits to the dentist will ensure that any developing oral cancer is caught early.
3. Implants
A dental implant is essentially a prosthetic root, on which we can build a crown or bridge. The dental implant can either be made of titanium or newer biocompatible ceramic materials that may cause less sensitivity. After a tooth has been extracted, we place the implant into position and allow it to heal. This implant eventually fuses to the jawbone and provides a solid foundation that a crown, bridge, or even dentures can be attached to.
4. Root Canal
When a tooth is decayed or cracked, bacteria can reach the pulp–soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. The bacterial by-products irritate and inflame the pulp. When this happens, it’s harder for blood to flow to the tissue, and the resulting pressure creates nerve pain inside your tooth. Pain can also result from pressure caused by bacterial growth and infection in a tooth. Our doctors are sympathetic to fears of pain and will do everything necessary to make it a comfortable experience.
Oral Surgery Procedures in Prescott
Most of our clients find comfort in the knowledge that we can take care of their oral surgery needs in our office, without the need to refer to an oral surgeon. If you need an oral surgery procedure in Prescott, give our compassionate team a call today. Our dentists use holistic treatments for optimal healing and we will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. We look forward to restoring your smile to its natural healthy state.
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