Tooth Extractions
We provide tooth removal often in conjunction with preparing for dental implants or if it has been determined that the tooth would not benefit from other periodontal treatment.
Crown Lengthening
Cavities can decay to tooth to the point where restoration is virtually impossible without a procedure called crown lengthening. Crown lengthening is a routine surgical procedure, which remodels the contour of the gum line. The procedure does not actually lengthen the crown, but rather lowers the gum line. When there is not enough tooth structure to affix a crown, this is the only option. Sometimes a tooth has been broken below the gum line. In this instance, crown lengthening is very successful in exposing more of the tooth, so that a crown can be placed on the tooth.
Exposure Of Impacted Canines
Canine exposure is a procedure to expose impacted teeth. An impacted tooth is one that has not erupted in the mouth, but instead becomes stuck in the surrounding bone or tissue. Any tooth may become impacted, but generally, the wisdom teeth and canine teeth are the most likely candidates. Canine teeth are critical for function. The procedure involves cutting a small hole in the gum, which allows the tooth to erupt. At that point, a small device or bracket is bonded to the tooth which allows the tooth to be guided into the correct location of the mouth.
Periodontal Maintenance
A periodontal maintenance is specific type of dental cleaning for patients who have a history of periodontal disease. Our dental hygienists work with patients to ensure that this dental cleaning is tailored to their specific dental needs. It is recommended that patients have a periodontal maintenance visit every 3 months and that they alternate between the Periodontist’s office and their General Dentist’s office.
Frenectomy
A frenum is a piece of tissue that prevents movement. There is a frenum that attaches your upper lip to the gums, while another connects the lower lip to the gums. A frenum that is too short or thick, this can lead to tooth misalignment and gum recession.
A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that can be performed with either a scalpel or laser and takes less than 15 minutes. Using a laser causes very little bleeding and does not require stitches. A laser also results in less postoperative discomfort and a shorter healing time. The procedure is very successful and causes minimal discomfort.
Occlusal Adjustment
Do you wake in the morning with sore jaws? When you bite, do you feel like your jaw is lopsided? If so, then you may need an occlusal adjustment.
An occlusal adjustment corrects the alignment of the bite, that is a result of loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. The result is an evenly distributed bite that eliminates irregular pressure on one side of the mouth. Once your bite is adjusted, your teeth will meet properly. Occlusal adjustment causes minimal pain, and only a little discomfort. The adjustment is made by using a dental drill using a fine filing stone. In addition to the actual adjustment, removal mouthpieces are also utilized, to protect the tooth surface, and relax the jaw muscles once the adjustment is completed.
Who is a good candidate for an occlusal adjustment? Patients with loose or shifting teeth will many times not meet correctly. Patients, who grind or clench their teeth, will have an uneven bite and pressure distribution in the mouth, which is also corrected through an occlusal adjustment. Sometimes tooth sensitivity can be corrected through an occlusal adjustment as the treatment reduces pressure on the sensitive tooth.
Periodontal Splinting
Teeth become loose because of lost gum tissue, injury, orthodontic treatment, or pressure caused by tooth misalignment. A technique called periodontal splinting attaches weak teeth together, turning them into a single unit that is stable and stronger than the single teeth by themselves. The procedure is most commonly performed on the front teeth. The procedure is as simple as using composite material to attach, or splint, the loose teeth to the adjoining stable teeth. Often when recommending periodontal treatment, it is necessary to have some teeth splinted during treatment. Our office will coordinate with your referring dentist to determine whether the periodontal splinting will be completed at their office or ours prior to other periodontal treatment.