Dental Surgery Services
We know that everyone tries to keep their teeth clean and healthy, but sometimes problems arise in spite of the best efforts. And sometimes these problems are of a more invasive, surgical nature. While the team at Keystone Dentistry will do everything they can to keep things simple, sometimes a little complexity is unavoidable. Dr. Kinney has the training and experience to manage treatment involving several disciplines of dentistry. This is particularly true of dental implants and oral reconstruction.
When you hear the words dental surgery, you may think of a hospital setting, general anesthesia, and might be even a little frightened about having surgery. Our team is here to help you not only understand what you should expect and why you need the procedures we have recommended, but also what your options are so you can make the best decision for yourself.
The important thing is to be open with us. If you don’t understand the procedure, we have many ways of explaining it. If you are worried about the cost, one of our financial coordinators will work with you to find a solution that fits your needs. Don’t have any down time? We can work it into your schedule. If you are fearful, we have options for that too!
Listed below are just some of the many surgical services we offer our patients.
- Dental Implant Surgery – The modern solution to replace missing teeth. A surgical procedure is done to place a dental implant within the jaw bone. This implant replaces the “root” of the tooth. After an appropriate time of healing, a crown is fastened to the implant using an abutment as the connector between the two. These three, the implant, abutment and crown are all necessary to replace your tooth.
- Mini Implants – These smaller implants are typically used to better secure ill-fitting partials or dentures. Just a few mini-implants and no more sloppy fit! Imagine not having to worry about your teeth unexpectedly coming out ever again! You may even begin to eat foods again that was previously impossible.
- Wisdom Teeth Removal – At some point in their lives, most people will need to have their wisdom teeth removed. A wisdom tooth, also called a third molar, can grow sideways or become trapped under the gums. It can also become infected, decayed or cause the rest of your teeth to move out of place. Removing these teeth can also prevent or eliminate tumors, cysts, or infections that are very common if they remain.
- Gum & Bone (Periodontal) Therapy – Periodontitis is where the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected with the natural bacteria found in your mouth; the body’s immune system fights the bacteria. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth will eventually become loose and have to be removed.
- Bone Grafts – Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. Also, when teeth are extracted, sometimes a portion of the bone around the teeth will come out attached to them. Bone grafts not only give us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, they also give us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.
- Sinus Lifts – Sinuses are like empty space with nothing but air in them. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone. A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that circumvents this problem.
- Biopsies – The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer. When oral cancers are suspected, we perform what is called a biopsy of the tissue and submit it to an oral pathology lab for a microscopic examination. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we may help.