What Oral Surgery and a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

As a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon we can provide our patients with greater options in what they can achieve in regards to their oral health and appearance.  A traditional dentist typically focusses on preventative care and general dentistry procedures. We handle more complicated cases in order to solve oral health concerns. 

Our first objective is to ensure that our patients are in excellent oral health. With this in mind, we regularly perform procedures like gum grafts and deep cleanings in order to remove bacteria and treat gum disease.  As bacteria cause the gums to become irritated, they will start to recede or pull away from the tooth.  This creates pockets in the gum tissue and the need for a gum graft to be completed in order to seal up the pockets and secure the gums around the tooth.  This type of treatment helps a patient’s appearance and health. 

For those that don’t have a problem with the health of their gums but don’t like how they look, we can help with that as well.  As a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon, we can remove excessive gum tissue that makes a smile look “gummy”.  This is a common condition that can make teeth appear too small.  We can remove this extra tissue and contour the gums so that they appear more normal in size and shape. 

We can also use our cosmetic dentistry skills to craft an entirely new smile. Those that don’t like the appearance of their teeth or are missing several natural teeth can benefit from having dental implants.  This procedure is becoming wildly popular as a way to create the perfect looking smile.  As a surgeon, we implant a metal post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This is done for every tooth that is being replaced.  The bone and metal will fuse together over the course of several months and by doing so a new root system will be created.  This synthetic root system is just as strong as a natural one, and it allows the new tooth to remain independent of the surrounding teeth.  This promotes long term oral health.

As a cosmetic dentist, we find that our patients love their implants because they look like natural teeth.  It is difficult, if not impossible to tell the difference between an implant and natural tooth because the crown used to replace the natural one, will be created in the size, shape, and shade of the surrounding teeth.  Since the crown is attached to a new root system, it is also durable enough for you to eat all of your favorite foods, run a marathon, sing your heart out and stay active without fear of it falling out.  

When it comes time to replacing teeth or restoring damaged ones, visiting a cosmetic dentist that is also an oral surgeon will provide you with the most options for doing so.  Our expertise allows our patients to love their smile every day. 

Here are Some Common Risks With Oral Surgery That We Help to Prevent

Whenever you have surgery, even oral surgery, there are certain inherent risks that go along with such a procedure. Modern medicine has decreased the likelihood that there will be a complication and the careful care of your oral surgeon diminish it even further. For the vast number of patients, surgeries are carried out without a hiccup and working with an experienced surgeon helps to make that possible.  However, surgery still involves an invasion into the normal functions of the mouth, and as such there are some risks involved. 

It is a good idea to understand some of the underlying risks as you prepare for your procedure. We will be there each step of the way to make sure you understand not only any risks, but also a detailed perspective on the procedure itself. This understanding allows you to make the best, most informed decision about your own personal oral health. Here are a few of the more common risks with an oral procedure. 

• Bleeding: Anytime you have oral surgery, there is going to be some level of bleeding. This is normally controlled easily and typically only lasts for the day of the surgery itself. If, however, you have excessive or prolonged bleeding after a surgery, we want to know so that we can ensure there hasn't been a complication. Similarly, if you have a condition like hemophilia, which cause uncontrolled bleeding, you should let us know before the surgery.
• Infection: Whenever there is an open wound, as in the case of an oral surgery, there is a risk of infection. Fever, swelling, heat, chills, and redness should immediately be reported. If you find yourself experiencing general malaise, this may also be a sign of an infection and should be reported. The good news is that it is very easy to deal with an infection by simply using an antibiotic. 
• Surrounding teeth: Oral surgery puts pressure, not only on the tooth itself, but also on the surrounding teeth. If the tooth or teeth next to the site of the surgery are weakened they could break, immediately or in the near future. A weakened filling could also crack or fall out under the pressure of the surgery. These are not serious complications as your dentist can repair the tooth or replace the filling that has been lost.  If a bone breaks, this is slightly more complicated and could require additional surgical correction. 
• Paresthesia: Pressure on or around the site of the surgery can cause permanent or temporary changes in the sensations of the nerves. Paresthesia can cause a sensation of burning, prickling, numbness, or itching. This is caused by the local area anesthesia and can be a serious condition. If you have any of these feelings, you should call us immediately.

When performing oral surgery, we learn everything we can about our patient's health in order to minimize any risk associated with the procedure.  By understanding what issues could arise, we can plan for how to prevent them so that patients can recover quickly without complications.  Prior to each procedure, we go over everything in detail so that our patients can make plans for how to remain comfortable during their recovery and ensure the ultimate success of the procedure.  To learn more about our methods, call and schedule a consultation.