Many common dental procedures, like cleanings, crowns, and Invisalign®, don’t require surgical intervention. But conditions affecting the roots of your teeth and your jaw may necessitate oral surgery.
If you have impacted teeth, severe tooth pain, or jaw abnormalities, oral surgery could improve the way your mouth feels and functions.
Dr. Hoopes and the team at Johnson Ranch Family Dentistry and Orthodontics offer a range of specialized oral surgeries for patients.
◈ Extractions
Routine tooth extractions remove teeth that are visible above your gum line, but some teeth need to be removed before they erupt from your gums. Dr. Hoopes performs both wisdom tooth extractions and complex surgical extractions.
◈ Root tip removal
For different reasons a root tip may be left behind after an extraction done previously or decay may have caused the crown to break off and the gums to grow over the root tip. Dr. Hoopes locates the root tip and removes it with great care while you are comfortable under local anesthetic.
◈ Mandibular tori removal
A mandibular tori is abnormal bone growth that protrudes from the inside of your jaw toward the tongue. Surgery involves gently removing the tori and reshaping your jaw bone. Tori doesn’t always cause problems, but you may need tori removal if you’re getting lower complete or partial dentures.
◈ Exostosis removal
An exostosis is a bony growth, and it can cause pain and deformity within your mouth. In exostosis removal, Dr. Hoopes removes the bony growth and reshapes your bone to minimize pain and correct any physical abnormalities in your mouth.
◈ Alveoplasty
Alveoplasty is a type of oral procedure to reshape your jaw. Dr. Hoopes may perform alveoplasty alongside a tooth extraction. If you’ve been missing a tooth for a long time, alveoplasty may be necessary before denture, bridge, or implant placement.
◈ Frenectomy
A frenum is a small piece of tissue that connects two tissues together. Frenums connect your cheeks, lips, and gums, but sometimes they can bind tissues too close together. A frenectomy involves cutting tissue to give your mouth freedom of movement.
◈ Dental implant placement
If you’re missing a tooth, a dental implant is a permanent, artificial replacement tooth. Implant placement requires oral surgery, because Dr. Hoopes surgically inserts the artificial root into your jaw. After the implant is placed and heals, a crown is made with the help of a connecting piece, or abutment, to appear and function as a natural tooth.
Johnson Ranch Family Dentistry and Orthodontics puts patient comfort first. Before your procedure begins, the team administers local anesthesia. They confirm that the area is adequately numb before starting any oral surgery procedure.
Because the team uses local anesthesia, you’re awake and can stop the procedure at any time if necessary. Dr. Hoopes and the team assess your condition and administer additional local anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable before proceeding. As the patient, you are always in control.
Oral surgery may take several hours from start to finish. Once your procedure is complete, the team gives you at-home care instructions. You may need someone to drive you home.
Find a compassionate team with surgical expertise at Johnson Ranch Family Dentistry and Orthodontics. Call or book online for a consultation.