Oral surgery is a broad term used to describe certain dental procedures that require surgical intervention. The most common procedure by a dentist trained in oral surgery is an extraction, when a partial or entire tooth is removed from the jaw.
Commonly, this procedure is known as “pulling a tooth.” However, it’s much more sophisticated and delicate than that. At Clarity Dentistry, we have a gentle and caring dentist who is highly trained in this field of dentistry.
If you or your loved one finds themselves with a dental emergency, please call our compassionate dentist. We offer expedited appointments, so that your dental needs can be taken care of timely and affordably, and we can get you out of pain or discomfort.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically erupt through the gums during the teenage or young adult years. Many people don’t realize that our teeth are specially designed to perform particular chewing functions.
For example, the incisors or front teeth incise or slice the food, whereas the molars are meant for chewing and breaking food down into small, digestible pieces.
Two set of molars, first molars and second molars, are sufficient in most of us to eat properly. Therefore the third molars, or the wisdom teeth as they are popularly known, actually have little relevance with regards to normal chewing function.
In addition, wisdom teeth can be potentially harmful and cause great discomfort if not extracted. As they start erupting, they put pressure on the neighboring teeth to come into position. The process can generate a dull or sharp pain, as there is a lack of sufficient space to accommodate the wisdom teeth in most individuals.
Even if it does happen to erupt properly and inline, being that it’s the very last tooth, maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene becomes very difficult. So, wisdom teeth are more susceptible to decay and periodontal problems.
In most instances, it is recommended that wisdom teeth should be removed. The complexity of the surgery itself depends on the shape and angle of the roots and teeth. Many Clarity Dentistry patients choose to use conscious sedation during the procedure so that their experience is more relaxed.
Impacted teeth are teeth that fail to erupt or are buried within the gums and/or jaw bone. These impacted teeth are generally found during routine dental examinations with proper panoramic or full mouth diagnostic x-rays.
Some patients may notice a hard lump at the floor of the mouth or on the soft palate which has been there for years. Radiographs will reveal the buried or impacted teeth not visible to the naked eye.
In some instances, these impacted teeth may never create a problem. Still, when found, an impacted tooth often should be removed so that it does not cause any potential issues such as a cyst.
An implant is an artificial, titanium screw-like structure that is surgically inserted into the jaw. As it fuses to the bone, it mimics the tooth’s root, giving a dental crown the support it needs to be seated.
Dental implants are the optimal treatment to replicate a missing tooth or multiple teeth. Dental implants have become increasingly popular due to the advances in implant technology, as they offer superior aesthetics and function like your natural teeth.
