There may be times when more extensive procedures, such as root canals or dental implants, must be performed to restore your smile. While these procedures often receive a painful or unpleasant reputation, Associates in Dentistry works to make you as comfortable and at ease as possible.
One of the first steps in this process is making sure you understand what the treatment entails. Please review the information below or call an office near you for more information.
Nobody likes to learn they need oral surgery, but sometimes they are necessary to improve oral health or alleviate pain. If you feel concerned about the prospect, know that at Associates In Dentistry, we will do everything we can to make you as comfortable and at ease as possible. One of the first steps in this process is making sure you understand what the treatment entails. Please review the information below or call us at 309-690-4500.
Oral surgeries include any type of operation done inside your mouth. Some common examples of oral surgeries include:
Root canal treatment (endodontia) can save diseased teeth. Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp. This tissue provides the blood and nerve supply to the tooth. If the pulp becomes infected or injured, it cannot repair itself and it dies. Untreated, this often leads to the loss of the tooth. Root canal treatment consists of the dentist removing the diseased pulp tissue, cleaning and filling the root. After treatment, a crown is normally placed over the tooth for strength and protection.
Dental implants are another great option for replacing missing teeth. Unlike bridges and crowns, dental implants surgically replace not only the tooth, but the roots as well. While this option may seem more extreme, implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework because they don’t rely on the neighboring teeth for support. Dental implants can even serve as an alternative to dentures—giving you a strong, natural smile.
Teeth may require extraction for a number of reasons. This includes severe decay, advanced gum disease and teeth that are broken beyond repair. Teeth are also sometimes removed because they are positioned in the mouth inappropriately such as impacted wisdom teeth or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
Whatever your case may be, we offer routine and surgical extractions as well as other minor surgical procedures you may need to have done. In some cases, we’ll coordinate your care with an oral surgeon.
This is a surgical procedure that treats gum recession. If your gum tissues have receded, grafts can be taken from elsewhere in your mouth and grafted in place. This can help with tooth sensitivity and aesthetic concerns, and can help protect your teeth.
Your comfort is very important to us. Depending on the situation, local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia may be used. After your oral surgery is complete, we may recommend over-the-counter painkillers or, if appropriate, we may prescribe a medication.
After your surgery is complete, we’ll make sure you understand what to expect during the healing process:
If you’d like to talk to us about upcoming oral surgeries or any other dental concerns, call Associates In Dentistry at 309-690-4500.
