The dental and medical sub-discipline of oral surgery is probably one of the most demanding areas of our practice and when choosing their Naples Dentist most of our patients have indicated that since we perform all stages of dentistry, they have confidently trusted us with their dental care over other nearby dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgery providers.
The work of an Oral Surgeon includes diagnosing and treating patients, answering any questions, and recommending treatments that contribute to the most fundamental dental services. Everyone knows that “dentists pull teeth.” However, dentistry as the art and science of healing has evolved beyond “pulling teeth” and into a series of technically demanding procedures designed to alleviate pain and fight infection while removing decayed teeth. What’s more, we can introduce repair, modification and stimulation to the hard and soft tissues of jaw bones, the face, and surrounding areas. Oral Surgery is an integral part of implant dentistry and both sub-specialties are widely performed in our state-of-the-art Naples, FL center.
So when do you need an Oral Surgeon or a Dentist who performs an Oral Surgery?
Tooth Extraction and Tooth Removal
In Our Naples Dental Center, Dr. Daniyar always tries to preserve and salvage your natural teeth since he believes that nothing can match what Mother Nature has created. However, there are some instances that validate tooth extraction in order to avoid serious consequences or to advance corrective treatments. Below we discuss a variety of problems and solutions to help you navigate the many options for your dental care.
Advanced Tooth Decay with Significant Structural Damage
The case of severely destroyed lower right molar with only roots being present.
When a tooth decay process is addressed in its early stages, by simply placing a timely filling, crown, or sometimes even performing a root canal procedure, we may extend the life of a tooth and for a longer period of time. However, quite often it’s not as ideal as we’d like it to be. As such, there are circumstances when we see the greater extent of tooth decay to the point where holding on to it is no longer possible because doing so may create an infectious process where harmful bacteria can infiltrate the deeper structures of the jaw. This is the most common indication where tooth removal is indicated. Though current techniques have evolved to make tooth preservation more successful and predictable, “the point of no return” or some form of oral pathology is still a possibility and to us, it sometimes represents a call for rather aggressive action, such as a tooth extraction. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable dentists, however, can perform such procedures in a comfortable setting with iv sedation if needed.
Vertical Tooth Root Fracture
A case of two teeth destroyed by vertical root fractures which were captured by the x-ray image.
Besides getting decay due to bacterial invasion or oral pathology, teeth can also fracture under a chewing force. Such fracturing is more common in teeth that are severely worn off or have undergone prior root canal procedures. Root fractures may also occur as a result of external traumas such as sport and other accidents. Vertical root fractures are considered to be an absolute indication to a tooth removal since the entire complex between the tooth and its retaining ligament and bone is irreversibly altered. Though in many instances, detecting a vertical root fracture requires a simple exam by our qualified dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon, sometimes detecting them might present a certain diagnostic puzzle which requires a deeper and more comprehensive diagnostic search involving greater expertise. If you experience pain in the tooth while biting, swelling in the gums, tooth mobility or other symptoms that make you look for a professional consultation, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment or arrange your emergency dental visit at our office.
Advanced Gum Infection and Advanced Periodontal Disease
The vast majority of the American adult population is affected by some form of gum disease that is if left untreated, may and usually does lead to debilitating consequences. Namely, the very foundation of the bone structures that hold teeth in place and provide chewing strength and resistance to mastication forces are altered as a result of an ongoing battle between ever increasing bacterial toxicity and immune system response. Once bone structures are diminished beyond a certain level, teeth become mobile and are no longer functional and at the same time cause pain and other symptoms commonly seen with periodontal and gum disease. The extraction of such teeth is indicated to stop the advance of infection and to remove teeth that are no longer healthy. If you experience symptoms like bleeding gums, teeth sensitivity to temperature, shifting teeth, or bad breath please call us to schedule your examination with one of our dentists.
This x-ray shows advanced loss of the bone that normally supports teeth. The tooth roots seen here are barely held by remaining bone.
Same patient’s x-ray taken after successful treatment consisting on surgical bone regeneration and placement of extremely aligned implants with teeth. * Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Extraction of Teeth to Correct Alignment
As the oral cavity continues to develop from childhood into teenage and later into adult years, teeth continue to erupt and further develop as they assume certain alignment related to their function and purpose. Not only is such alignment important for proper chewing, it also has a tremendous aesthetic impact since it is the essentially what comprises and makes up our smiles and how people see us when we talk, sing, laugh, and basically any time we open our mouth. Proper teeth alignment is also important in preventing tooth decay while making oral hygiene procedures more effective. So when the less fortunate of us, who did not get their teeth lined up perfectly on their own, seek to improve ourselves through changing their smile appearance, we seek the help of orthodontists who introduce controlled tooth movement to achieve this goal. However, in some instances, to align teeth properly an orthodontist will administer an extraction of some lingering baby teeth or even some permanent teeth to create room and to move teeth to create the proper “bite”, while at the same time achieving greater looks. This is referred to as tooth removal for orthodontic reasons ad is routinely performed as part of an overall, complex treatment. When looking for an oral surgeon to remove teeth before having braces, please call our office for a corresponding consultation or contact us via email.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Such retention from normal coming out (eruption) may present itself in many different ways ranging from slight deviation to complete misorientation within the jaw bone. In either case, many symptoms can be felt related to abnormally growing wisdom teeth, such as pain, feeling of pressure, headache, and even an infection when wisdom teeth come out, but only partially. Such conditions may require either immediate attention of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or may be detected during your semi-annual dental check-up based on the x-ray examination we perform. The decision to extract wisdom teeth is always made on an individual basis while carefully calculating risks and benefits and performing a diagnostic workup, including 3D x-ray imaging. Considering their bad reputation, impacted wisdom teeth receive special dental care in our office, and various treatments are provided, including wisdom teeth extraction with iv sedation if needed. If you believe you experience pain due to present wisdom teeth, feel free to schedule an appointment.
This panoramic x-ray image shows four impacted wisdom teeth in a young male, 24 year old, who presented with severe pain and pressure on both sides of his lower jaw causing constant discomfort and persistent headaches. Teeth were successfully extracted utilizing in-office sedation. * Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
DENTAL IMPLANTS AND BONE GRAFTS
All procedures related to placement of dental implants, along with enhancing and preserving bone structures for the purpose of replacing missing teeth with dental implants, represent our specialty and most frequently provided treatment to dental patients in our practice.
Less Frequent Reasons for Tooth Extraction
Less frequent reasons for tooth extraction include fractures of the jaw, presence of extra teeth, presence of benign tumors, and other oral pathology.