Procedures
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are third molars that usually appear between the ages of 16 and 24. Wisdom teeth are extracted for two general reasons: either they have already become impacted, or they could potentially become problematic if not extracted. Potential problems include infections caused by food particles easily trapped in the jaw area behind the wisdom teeth where regular brushing and flossing is difficult and ineffective. Such infections may be frequent, and cause considerable pain and medical danger.
Dental Implants
Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. A typical implant consists of a titanium screw, with a roughened surface, which is inserted into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. An artificial tooth is then attached to this metal root replacement. (For more information on dental implants, see the
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website.)
Bone Grafting
Dental implant bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces lost bone so there is enough healthy bone to support a dental implant. Bone can be lost in a number of ways, including previous dental extractions, injuries, accidents, cysts, periodontal disease, and infections.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is performed to correct a wide range of skeletal and dental irregularities, including misalignment of jaws and teeth. While orthodontics can usually correct bite problems (when only the teeth are misaligned), corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to correct misalignment of the jaws. (For more information on orthognathic surgery, see the
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website.)
