Tooth Extraction Gilbert AZ

 

There are a number of reasons why a tooth may need to be removed from the mouth. Dental extractions are most commonly needed if the teeth are decayed, or fractured beyond repair. The most common need to extract teeth include:

 

 

Extreme tooth decay that is too costly to repair vs. a restoration with a Dental Implant or a Dental Bridge

 

Severe bone loss from advanced Periodontal disease causes tooth mobility and infection.

 

A tooth may be extracted if it is preventing other teeth from erupting.

 

Orthodontic treatment often requires the need for room for the teeth that are being moved into place and may require extraction of one or several teeth to make treatment successful.

 

Wisdom teeth are often extracted either due to infection or pain, or as a preventive procedure.

 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

 

The average adult is destined to have 32 teeth by the age of 18 each with its own function. Incisors are the teeth in the front of the mouth and along with canine and pre-molars grasp and bite food into small particles. The back teeth are known as molars and are designed to grind food into a consistency to swallow comfortably.

 

However, the average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It is often painful and uncomfortable when more than 28 teeth try to fit. 3rd molars or "wisdom teeth" are those four additional teeth which often create pain and discomfort upon eruption.

 

Should wisdom teeth be removed?

 

Wisdom teeth generally begin to erupt after 18 years of age and when they align ideally and have healthy soft tissues around them there is no need for them to be removed. Usually, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is needed when they area not erupted properly or grow to the side, partially are exposed, or stay completely impacted below the gum or bone.

 

Impacted wisdom teeth which are positioned improperly can cause numerous problems. When they are partially exposed the opening around the exposure allows food to trap and bacteria to grow and cause in infection known as pericoronitis. This infection usually results in severe pain, and sometimes cause swelling around the soft tissues of the involved tooth. Among the more serious complications that arise from impacted 3rd molars is the growth of tumors and cysts which can cause the destruction of the jaw bone. It is for these reasons that we sometimes recommend early removal to avoid future complications .

 

Wisdom teeth removal Procedure

 

In most cases, if wisdom teeth are not severly impacted we can remove them under local anesthesia and laughing gas. For our extremly nervous patients we can also arrange a referral so that you may be sedated under general/IV anesthesia. The procedure may involved placement of stitches and a few days of recovery after. Postoperative instructions are given along with pain medication and sometimes antibiotics. We often will make a follow-up appointment in one week for removal of your stiches and evaluation of healing.

 

Dental Crown Lengthening Procedure in Arizona

 

If you have a condition known as known as a "gummy" smile you may be interested in a procedure called the crown lengthening. Patients with a gummy smile line usually have teeth that appear short and more of the gum is visible when they smile. In most cases the teeth are proper lengths but are covered with too much gingiva (gum tissue). In order to correct this condition crown lengthening may be used as a treatment option.

 

During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped and enhanced by use of a dental laser to expose more of the natural tooth. Crown lengthening may be a treatment option to a single tooth or to the entire gum line to achieve a natural smile. Sometimes in dentistry in order to make restorations such as crowns or fillings fit better we use the crown lengthening procedure to make more sound tooth structure exposed and get better retention for the final restoration. In this procedure the gum and bone levels are adjusted to expose more of the healthy tooth below the gum and bone.

 

Crown lengthening is a valuable option in restorative and cosmetic dentistry that improves aesthetics and function of dentition. If you have questions about this procedure please contact us for more information.

 

Bone Grafting

 

There are many long term complications associated with the loss of a tooth. The most significant complication is bone loss due to lack of function in the absence of tooth roots (known as atrophy). After a tooth is lost bone starts to resorb and the loss of bone slowly increases over time and is significantly evident in short amount of time. The atrophy of bone over time leaves behind bone that may be of poor quality and lack of quantity needed for dental implant placement. It is for these reasons that we often choose to place bone grafts following dental extractions in order to preserve the bone from further loss. Today, we are able to grow bone where needed with the use of grafts and other regeneration methods.

 

Types of Bone Grafts

 

Dr. Michael Mazaheri uses different types of bone grafts following dental extractions or implant placement.:

 

• The most commonly used graft material following a dental extraction is the use of artificial collagen grafts that preserve bone and stimulate further bone growth.
• The other type used commonly is during dental implant placement and the graft material used is obtained from human donor bones which are certified by tissue banks and are monitored and processed to be free from infectious diseases. This essentially sterile bone graft product is usually used with membrane material which shape and preserve the graft during the healing period.

 

Please feel free to give us a call  for a consultation regarding bone grafts or oral surgery needs.