Oral Surgery

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third (and final) set of molars that most people get and they do not make anyone any smarter. They usually come in while most people are in their late teens or early twenties and most dentists recommend that they are removed around the same time to prevent future complications.

If they grow in properly, then there is no problem and they can stay in your mouth. However, this is not usually the case and leaving them alone to grow in wrong can damage the surrounding teeth, jaw, and nerves.

The dentist will periodically take x-rays of your wisdom teeth to evaluate their alignment and make recommendations based on what he sees there. If your wisdom teeth are going to be harmful to the rest of your mouth, the dentist will recommend that they are removed. Removal is easier with younger patients because the roots have not yet fully developed and the bone is less dense. This makes the procedure simpler and recovery time much shorter.

Implants

Missing teeth can be detrimental to your oral health as missing teeth can lead to shifting teeth, changing your bite, more cavities, bone loss, or lisps. Nothing will perfectly replace missing teeth, but dental implants come very close!

An implant is a titanium screw that is placed in the jaw bone with a beautiful crown that is placed on top to imitate a natural tooth. Because the titanium in the implant fuses with the bone, it will never fall out or cause further decay like other treatment options. Patients with implants may safely return to all normal activities without worrying about their smile!

Laser Gum Therapy

LANAP is a relatively new method of treament for moderate to severe cases of periodontal disease. While traditional methods involve surgery and a long recovery, LANAP is non-invasive, less painful, and requires very little downtime after the procedure.

Nitrous Oxide

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a gas given through a small plastic mask that covers the nose. It is a simple yet effective way to help an anxious patient or minimize pain. There is no downtime needed and little to no side effects.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is commonly known as conscious sedation because of doesn’t put someone completely asleep, but the patient will be less aware of what is going on. IV sedation also causes a period of amnesia so the patient will not remember what happened during the treatment. It is used in oral surgery, extractions, and extremely anxious patients. Most dental offices do not offer IV sedation because it requires the dentist to be very well-trained in how to administer it. We are proud to offer IV sedation as an available service here at Smile Docs!