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Bone loss in the jawbone is common when one or more teeth have been lost due to injury, decay, or trauma. Without the tooth in place to stimulate the jawbone, the bone around the missing tooth will begin to deteriorate. Over time, the jawbone may deteriorate to such an extent that there may not be enough bone to place dental implants. In cases such as these, your dentist may recommend having a bone grafting procedure.
Bone grafting is the replacement or augmentation of missing bone around the teeth.
There are three types of bone graft procedures: autogenous, allograft, and xenograft.
Autogenous grafts take bone from one area of the patient's body and transplant it to the location in the mouth being restored. The bone is usually taken from non-essential bones such as the chin area. The benefit of an autogenous bone graft is that the bone used comes solely from the patient thus reducing the likelihood of rejection and infection. The bone is also still "live", meaning it still has active cellular material.
Allografts also use human bone transplanted to the area in the mouth being restored. However, allografts do not use the patient's own bone. Instead, the bone usually comes from cadavers who have donated their bone to bone-banks. All allograft bone material is carefully screened and is considered very safe. Xenografts also replace bone in the area requiring treatment, however the bone comes from a non-human source. Usually the non-human source is bovine (cow). Allografts and Xenografts are used because they do not require a second surgical site to harvest bone and ample amounts of bone can be easily attained.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the area where the bone will be removed as well as the location where the bone will be augmented. An incision is made in the gums around where the bone will be augmented. This is done so that the dentist can see exactly how much bone will be need before harvesting it from the patient (if an autogenous graft is being performed).
Next, the dentist will make a cut in the gums below the lower front teeth in order to expose the chin bone. The dentist will then remove a part of the bone along with any bone marrow. This incision is then closed with stitches.
The bone removed from the chin will then be anchored in place in the jawbone with small titanium screws.
The dentist may place a mixture of your bone marrow and some bone-grafting material around the bone graft to help speed healing. The incision is then closed with stitches.
After the procedure you will likely be given antibiotics as well as pain medication. You'll be asked to follow a restricted diet of soft foods such as pastas and Jell-O. Bone grafts usually take about six to nine months to heal completely. Dental implants will not be placed until your mouth has healed completely.
A gingivectomy is usually performed when a patient has severe periodontal disease that cannot be cured with scaling and root planing or other periodontal procedures. Gingivectomies are performed to remove and reshape loose, diseased gum tissue and to reduce the depth of pockets between the teeth and gums.
Before the procedure begins, the area will be completely numbed using a local anesthetic. Small incisions are then made and excess gum tissue is carefully removed. After all areas of diseased tissue are removed, a putty-like substance is then placed over the gums. This substance is designed to protect your gums as they heal.
After the procedure, it is important to eat only soft foods and to drink only cool or slightly warm liquids while the putty is in place and your gums are healing. It is important to keep the mouth clean after the procedure. While it is important not to brush in the area where the procedure was performed, it may be possible to brush and floss the rest of the mouth. After a few weeks the gums will be completely healed and it will be possible to resume brushing and flossing, though this should be done gently at first.
Periodontal disease causes bone loss around teeth, which can increase the chances for tooth loss. Once a tooth has been lost, the supporting jaw bone will disappear over time. This can make wearing dentures uncomfortable. However, simple techniques are now available to regrow lost bone, provide support for dental implants, or to improve esthetics beneath a fixed bridge.
Guided tissue bone regeneration does not always require the removal of bone from any other part of the body. Instead, many options use membrane barriers, tissue stimulating proteins, or bioactive growth factor gels. Occasionally bone grafting procedures are required; bone grafts can be from your own bone, tissue banks, or synthetic materials. The goal of each of these treatment options is to stimulate the body to grow new bone or to hold the space for the bone to regenerate into.
The bone and gum tissue should fit together like a turtleneck around your neck. But when periodontal disease is present, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed and pockets in the gums develop. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the tooth will need to be extracted.
Guided tissue bone regeneration helps the body to regenerate lost bone. By repairing the damage done by periodontal disease, this procedure will increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth and will decrease the odds of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.
Receding gums is one of the symptoms of gum disease (periodontal disease) that can be improved through cosmetic gum surgery. Dr. Jonathan Tiger, a periodontist in Pomona, NY, offers cosmetic gum surgery to patients in need of treatment for their receding gums.
Gum recession is often accompanied by pocketing around the teeth, inflammation, and root exposure that causes sensitivity. Receding gums can also be aesthetically displeasing. Many patients with receding gums are embarrassed and unhappy with their smile. Cosmetic gum surgery can help with aesthetics while repairing the pocketing that encourages bacterial growth beneath the gum tissue and covering exposed roots to reduce sensitivity.
There are several types of gum grafting surgeries available depending upon your specific needs. Connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and pedicle grafts are several treatments available to treat receding gums. Dr. Tiger will do a thorough evaluation to determine which would be best for your needs.
Connective tissue grafts and free gingival grafts are the most commonly used type of graft. Tissue from the roof of the mouth is used to attach to the existing gum line and helps treat receding gums that expose the root of the tooth to reduce sensitivity and improve the look of teeth that appear too long.
Pedicle grafts use tissue that is taken from the gum tissue around the tooth that needs treatment. For this treatment, a flap (also called a pedicle) is partially cut back leaving one edge remaining attached. The flap is then sutured into place to cover the exposed root. For patients who have plenty of healthy tissue available, this is the preferred treatment.
In some cases grafts can be taken from tissue banks. Dr. Tiger can help in determining what type of gum surgery is best to treat your receding gums.
During healing time, it is not advised to brush and floss as usual, and a soft diet is recommended for about week. Dr. Tiger and his staff will provide specific cleaning and eating instructions along with a special mouthwash to help control plaque.
Call Dr. Tiger, a periodontist who performs cosmetic gum surgery, and schedule a consultation to find the right treatment plan for your receding gums.
Occlusal, or bite, adjustment is a procedure performed to remove tiny interferences that keep teeth from coming together properly. These interferences can prevent the jaw from closing in its anatomically correct position. Interferences can develop as teeth develop, can occur following an accident, or they can accumulate over time with wear. Dental work such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and extractions can also cause interferences.
Interferences can prevent the jaw from fully sliding into its anatomically correct position. This means that the muscles of the jaw and neck are never able to fully relax. This may result in severe headaches and neck aches. Many develop bruxism, or teeth grinding, as their jaw seeks its natural position. Bruxism can cause bone loss, tooth loss, and receding gums. Overtime, patients may develop tempromandibular joint issues, or TMJ, if they go untreated.
During your examination, your doctor will examine your jaw closely and may notice symptoms that your bite may be off. Some symptoms include if the jaw does not open evenly on both sides, if the jaw makes a clicking noise as it opens, if the enamel has been ground away in certain areas, or if there are fractured teeth. Chronic symptoms of bruxism, headaches or neck aches, are also clues that the bite may be off.
Before the procedure begins, the doctor will have you bite on a very thin piece of mylar paper. The mylar paper transfers color to the areas where contact occurs. The doctor will then smooth the area where the marks have been left removing just enough of the tooth or restoration to eliminate the interference. This process will be done on all areas where the mylar paper left color on the tooth until the jaw is able to get into its normal position.
Oral pathology involves diagnosing and treating diseases of the mouth such as cysts, tumors, and precancerous and cancerous lesions. Many patients experience unusual changes in the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, or throat that may be caused by disease. Diagnosing diseases in the mouth as early as possible is very important. The earlier a disease is diagnosed, the faster treatment and healing can begin.
Your doctor may perform a number of tests or exams to determine what is causing the symptoms you are experiencing and diagnose the disease. Usually, biopsy or tissue removal is the best way to determine a diagnosis as the sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Treatments vary depending on the type of disease that is present. Each patient’s needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in order to achieve the best results. Our office is dedicated to making any procedure performed as comfortable as possible.
Osseous surgery, or flap surgery, is usually performed when a pocket around a tooth (or teeth) has not responded to other treatments. The procedure is performed in order to create a clean environment around the tooth so that the tooth can be retained rather than lost. Osseous surgery is generally tried only after other treatments have been explored and tried and usually is performed when the pocket depth has worsened over time.
Before beginning the procedure, the area will be numbed using a local anesthesia. An incision is made in the gum tissue around the area that will be treated. The gum is then lifted away from the tooth and the underlying bone so that there is direct access to the area. The surface of the tooth is then thoroughly cleaned of any plaque buildup.
Next the surface of the bone will be smoothed. Bacteria trapped in the pocket around the tooth will eat away at bone making it uneven and rough. In order to ensure proper healing, smoothing the bone of these rough surfaces is necessary.
After the root of tooth has been cleaned and the bone smoothed, the gum tissue is then trimmed to match the new underlying structure and stitched into place. The stitches are placed to hold the gum tissue in the correct position as it heals.
After the procedure you may be prescribed a pain medication. Stitches will be removed in 6-10 days unless dissolving stitches are used. About a month after surgery, an appointment should be scheduled to check on the healing of the area. Because some gum tissue is trimmed during the procedure, the tooth may appear longer in the mouth. This may cause increased sensitivity to hot or cold.
Periodontal maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent periodontal disease in in the gum tissue and bone. Periodontal maintenance is usually necessary for patients who are susceptible to periodontal disease or who have been treated for gum disease. Maintenance visits to the periodontist will help prevent additional dental problems in the future. Treating the disease in its early stages saves you not only discomfort but also money!
Gum disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. The toxins produced by the bacteria attack your gums and teeth. And, if the plaque is not removed, it will harden and form calculus.
Even someone dedicated to good oral hygiene will be unable to completely prevent the formation of calculus on the teeth. Flossing and brushing will keep the calculus to a minimum but regular maintenance is needed to professionally remove what has been missed. During your maintenance cleaning, the hygienist will also check for hidden periodontal problems.
Your periodontist will recommend how often you should have a periodontal maintenance visit. The frequency will be determined by the type of periodontal disease you have, the type of periodontal treatment you have had in the past, how you've responded to those treatments, and how quickly you develop plaque. The most important factor, however, is how dedicated you are to good hygiene at home.
Dr. Jonathan Tiger, a periodontist, can provide cosmetic gum surgery for patients with a gummy smile in Pomona, NY. Many patients are unhappy with their smile when their gum line is overgrown or uneven, creating a poor appearance. There are a wide variety of cosmetic procedures available today to improve your smile.
Periodontal plastic surgery can not only recreate a normal and aesthetically pleasing appearance, it also reconstructs the surrounding tissues to give the teeth better support. With severe periodontal disease, surgery will be necessary to regenerate and repair the damage done to the tissues surrounding the teeth and the bone. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants may be indicated in some patients. A skilled periodontal plastic surgeon such as Dr. Tiger can often restore a patient's smile with cosmetic gum surgery and other techniques.
Cosmetic gum surgery removes the gum tissue that is diseased and causing a gummy smile or uneven gum line. Dr. Tiger uses techniques that help sculpt the gum line into a more normal and aesthetically pleasing state. If you have receding gums a tissue graft may be the technique for your case. For a gummy smile, tissue resection may be indicated.
Prevention is of course the best strategy for a gummy smile. Brush and floss regularly and see a profession to have the tartar removed from your teeth regularly. Ask Dr. Tiger about any treatments that may be needed to prevent periodontal disease from causing further damage to your oral health and beautiful smile.
A healthy and attractive smile can be a huge boost to your self-confidence and makes a good first impression with those you meet. If you are suffering from a gummy smile in Pomona, NY, call Dr. Tiger for an evaluation and treatment plan options for cosmetic gum surgery.
Preventive dentistry is the best way to avoid painful, expensive dental procedures as it stresses at-home dental care that will help prevent decay or disease. Preventive, or at-home, dental care is important because it results in healthy teeth and gums throughout one's life.
Many at-home treatments can help prevent disease or decay including brushing your teeth at least twice daily, flossing, and using mouthwash. However, it's important to know how to floss and brush properly. Proper brushing techniques include using a soft, nylon toothbrush with round-ended bristles. Place the toothbrush at the gum line at a 45-degree angle to cover the tooth surface and the gum line. Move the brush back and forth, gently brushing away any plaque or tartar from the surface of the tooth and the gum line. Patients should be sure to brush the insides and outsides of all teeth, including the hard to reach back teeth. Floss should be used to clean in between teeth. Proper flossing techniques include using an 18-inch strip of un-waxed floss wrapped around the middle fingers of both hands. Insert the remaining 2 inches of floss between each tooth, using your thumbs to direct the movements. Gently scrape the plaque out from between each tooth. You should always floss below the gumline to remove any harmful plaque that is found under the gumline.
Healthy smiles begin at infancy! Parents should begin brushing and flossing their children's teeth when the first tooth emerges. When the child is old enough, parents should teach their children to brush and floss. Setting a high standard of oral hygiene early on in life will help your child develop healthy oral hygiene habits for life!
Lastly, visiting your dentist every six months will also help prevent serious dental issues such as cavities or periodontal disease. Dental checkups and oral cancer screenings can catch things you may have missed during your at-home care routine. Parents should make appointments for their children to first see the dentist after their first tooth grows in to establish good at-home dental care and children should also see the dentist every six months. Checkups and cleanings cannot be substituted with at-home care, but together, the two will help ensure that your smile will stay healthy and will last a lifetime!
Ridge augmentation is a common procedure performed to help recreate the natural contour of the gums. Often, after a tooth is removed, the bone in the jaw will begin to deteriorate and recede. The height and width of the socket, which was supported by the tooth, will begin to shrink after the tooth is removed. Many patients will eventually develop an indentation in the gums or jawbone where the tooth used to be.
Restoring the original height and width of the socket is not usually medically necessary. However, it may be necessary in order to place a dental implant or for aesthetic purposes. If a person's bone has deteriorated too much, placing a dental implant may not be possible.
There are two types of Ridge Augmentation procedures: Soft Tissue and Hard Tissue. Occasionally, both types of ridge augmentation are performed at once.
Soft tissue grafts are usually done to improve the esthetics and cleansibility of the site. Prior to the procedure, the area will be numbed. An incision is made to expose the site and a soft tissue graft is then obtained either from the palate (roof of the mouth) or a soft tissue substitute. The graft is then inserted into the area receiving the graft, which is then secured with stitches.
Hard tissue grafts are done to recreate adequate bone contouring prior to dental implant placement. Prior to the procedure, the area will be numbed. An incision is made and the gum lifted away to expose the bone defect. A bone graft obtained either from another site within the mouth or cadaver bone is placed in the area receiving the graft and secured using titanium screws. The area is then closed with stitches.
Healing time varies by patient and the size of the area repaired but usually lasts no longer than 6 months.
When one or more teeth are extracted from the mouth, soft tissue and bone can begin to collapse. Without the tooth root to stimulate it, the surrounding jawbone will almost immediately begin to collapse and shrink. If there is too much bone loss, it may be impossible to place dental implants and it may become more expensive, more invasive, more time consuming, and more uncomfortable to replace the lost bone. Ridge (or Socket) preservation is a type of bone grafting procedure that rebuilds and stabilizes bone where an extraction has left an empty, weakened socket.
Ridge preservation procedures begin with the removal of the tooth. The doctor will do so carefully so as to not disturb existing bone in the socket. Next, the doctor will insert a specialized bone-grafting product. This product can be an autogenous graft, allograft, or alloplast/xenograft. The bone-grafting material is designed to build and regrow bone in the socket. After it has been placed, the grafting material will be stabilized with stitches and/or a membrane. Healing time is approximately 3-5 months before a dental implant can be placed.
Ridge preservation can essentially minimize the amount of bone loss that occurs after the removal of one or more teeth. Leaving the socket empty after an extraction is sure to lead to deteriorating bone in the jaw, making it more difficult to place an implant later.
Ridge preservation is also:
When plaque is not removed properly, it attracts bacteria and turns into difficult to remove calculus, or tartar. The bacteria spreads to the gums and causes them to pull away from the tooth, creating periodontal pockets. When the periodontal disease is left untreated, it can spread to the bone and cause tooth loss. Scaling and root planing can be effective in the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis. Many patients who have gingivitis or more advanced stages of periodontal disease often experience bleeding and sore gums when brushing, flossing and eating.
The general steps of the scaling and root planing treatment may include a local anesthetic to numb the root of your tooth being treatment. Your doctor may suggest a form of sedation, if necessary. The treatment may require an ultrasonic tool to remove the calculus. Your doctor or dental hygienist will use the instruments below the gum line to clean the root of your tooth. The goal of this deep cleaning process is to clear away the tartar and smooth the surface of the tooth to encourage the gum to reattach to the tooth.
It is necessary for scaling and root planing treatment patients to maintain their oral health and cleanliness after the procedure. Home maintenance is a major part of the healing process—the areas cleaned need to be free of food and debris in order to keep the bacteria from entering the periodontal pockets. Extra brushing and flossing may be required to ensure the area is clean at all times. It is also important to discontinue use of tobacco products. This will promote healing and reduce risk of infection.
It is best for patients to be in a healthy condition and not have recently had a major surgery before receiving a scaling and root planing treatment. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and discuss sedation options. After your treatment, your doctor may recommend an antiseptic oral rinse containing chlorhexidine to rid your mouth of bacteria and reduce risk of infection. In some cases, it may be necessary for your doctor to prescribe antibiotics after your scaling and root planing procedure.
The scaling and root planing treatment is most effective in the early stages of gum disease and can reduce periodontal pocket depth up to two or three millimeters.
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Many people avoid going to the dentist because they experienced traumatic care as a child, suffered painful procedures as an adult, or are influenced by the stereotypes they see on TV and movies. Even when they experience warning signs like pain in the mouth, many people avoid seeking treatment because of the fear they experience. At our office we understand these feelings and want to help. Whether you just need a routine cleaning or a brand-new smile, we offer sedation dentistry to make your experience comfortable and relaxing.
Sedation dentistry is used by many dentists to provide a relaxing, calming experience for patients who are afraid of going to the dentist and/or having dental procedures performed. There are many forms of sedation that can be administered in a variety of ways. This variety of sedation methods offers dentists the flexibility of three levels of sedation – minimal, moderate, and deep – depending on the level of anxiety the patient experiences.
We Can Relieve Your Fear!
Our office offers oral sedation dentistry. Oral sedation dentistry allows us to relieve anxiety without the use of needles or intravenous tubes. Additionally, patients who traditionally have trouble getting numb have no problem when sedated and relaxed.
About an hour prior to the appointment, the patient will be asked to take a small pill that will make he/she drowsy. By the time a companion accompanies the patient to our office for the appointment, the patient will be feeling relaxed and calm. We will escort him/her to a comfortable room and cover him/her with a warm, thick blanket.
Once the patient is comfortable and completely relaxed, the doctor and experienced clinical team will complete the dental procedure. During the entire procedure, the patient’s vital signs will be monitored to ensure their health and safety. After the treatment is completed, the companion will take the patient home to rest and sleep for a couple of hours after the appointment.
Nitrous oxide has been a mainstay of sedation dentistry for decades and is still the most frequently employed sedation technique today. Commonly known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is used by more than 35% of all U.S. dentists. Nitrous oxide is commonly used because within 5 minutes of inhaling the colorless, odorless gas pain is neutralized and a euphoric feeling spreads through the body. Within minutes, the dental procedure can begin and the patient will be completely relaxed. Nitrous oxide allows the dentist to alter the depth of sedation from minute to minute, making the experience pain and fear free. After the gas is stopped, the patient will return to normal within minutes. You will be able to safely drive yourself home and will not need an escort. Nitrous Oxide does not require the use of a needle, so those who are afraid of needles will benefit from this form of sedation. And, nitrous oxide is very safe; there are relatively few side effects and the drugs have no effect on the major organs.
For certain dental procedures, your dentist will need to numb parts of your mouth. In order to do so, medicine is injected into your gum or inner cheek. This medicine is called a local anesthetic.
Lidocaine is the most common local anesthetic used in dentistry, however, there are many others. All types of numbing drugs are combined with other medications to make the numbing last longer. Numbing usually lasts several hours but wears off over time.
Numbing just the area where dentistry needs to be performed allows the dentist to perform procedures without pain or discomfort. Because you are still conscious, you can answer prompts and commands quickly and easily. And, because you have not been sedated, you can usually drive yourself home or go back to work immediately after the appointment.
Candidates for Sedation Dentistry include people who have:
Often patients who have lost teeth in the upper jaw require a sinus lift in order to have dental implants placed. This is because the bone in the area where teeth are missing naturally beings to shrink, or resorbs, over time. As a result, the sinuses expand to occupy the empty space where the bone used to be. With insufficient bone to securely place the dental implant, a sinus lift is necessary to move the sinus where it is meant to be and to place additional bone in the area.
There are two forms of sinus lift procedures and the form you receive depends on your individual needs and the amount of bone you still have. You doctor will discuss your options prior to the procedure.
Before the procedure begins, a local anesthetic is applied to the site. The doctor will then create a small opening in the bone to access the sinus cavity. Using a small instrument, the doctor will then gently lift the sinus back to its original position. A grafting material is then placed beneath the newly raised sinus cavity along the existing bone. This grafting material will then mesh with your bone, thus creating more bone.
Usually, you will require 4-9 months to heal completely from the sinus lift procedure before dental implants can be placed. This increase in bone will compensate for bone lost and will allow for multiple implants to be placed. Without this procedure, many patients will not qualify for dental implants.
Patients looking for a cure for teeth grinding can find the help they need with Dr. Jonathan Tiger, a periodontist in Pomona, NY. Bruxism or teeth grinding can cause damage to the teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Many patients are not aware that they grind their teeth during their sleep. Sometimes it is the patient's spouse who is first aware of the teeth grinding during sleep due to the loud grating noise.
Occasional bruxism usually does not cause damage to the teeth or TMJ. It is chronic teeth grinding that can result in serious dental issues. Continual grinding over years can wear teeth down, fracture teeth, and damage the TMJ. Chronic teeth grinding can also lead to a change in your facial appearance, headaches and hearing loss.
Patients looking for a cure for teeth grinding can sometimes be helped with a mouth guard that protects your teeth while sleeping. Sometimes a simple adjustment to your bite will help relieve the tendency to grind your teeth. Dr. Tiger, a periodontist in Pomona, NY, can do a thorough evaluation and go over a treatment plan that may prove to be your cure for teeth grinding.
There are several other tips that may help reduce bruxism. Stress reduction, exercise, and sometimes prescription muscle relaxants can reduce teeth grinding. Cutting back on alcohol and caffeine has been helpful to many patients. Avoid chewing gum. The constant chewing can condition the muscles of your jaw to tighten, making you more likely to grind your teeth.
The advances in dental technology allow Dr. Tiger to determine what type of treatment plan may be your cure for teeth grinding. After an evaluation the different treatment options will be discussed with you. It may be as simple as adjusting your bite, wearing a night guard, learning to relax your jaw muscles, or it may take a combination of treatments to find your cure for teeth grinding.
Call today for an appointment with Dr. Tiger to find the right treatment for your teeth grinding before irreversible damage is done to your teeth or TMJ.
Dental extractions are performed for a variety of reasons including tooth decay, injury, and for orthodontic treatment. Extractions are a relatively common procedure in most dental offices. The difficulty of the procedure varies depending on the case and the patient, however anesthesia is used to numb the area and prevent pain during the procedure.
There are two forms of extraction: simple and surgical extractions. Simple extractions are performed on teeth that can be seen in the mouth. They are removed due to decay or injury and are usually performed under a local anesthetic. During this procedure, the doctor will grasp the tooth with forceps and loosen it by moving the forceps back and forth. The loosened tooth will then easily come out. Surgical extractions are performed on teeth that have broken off at the gum line or that have not yet come in (ie: wisdom teeth). To remove the tooth, the doctor will have to cut and pull back the gums, which allows access to the area. This is necessary so that they can see the tooth that needs to be removed. Surgical extractions are usually done with local anesthesia but a general anesthesia is sometimes preferred.
Regardless of the reasons a tooth must be pulled, extraction is usually reserved only for cases in which no other treatment option will cure the infection or problem.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear in adults between the ages of 17 and 25 and are the final set of molars that most people get. While most will eventually have their wisdom teeth removed, not everyone needs to do so. Most dental professionals will recommend having your wisdom teeth removed if you experience any of the following scenarios:
You experience chronic pain in your gums around your wisdom teeth. Pain in your gums can be an indicati
on of infection. Infections are common around partially erupted wisdom teeth because food and bacteria get trapped in these areas. Having your wisdom teeth removed can prevent further infection.
Prior to the surgery date, your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and let you know what to expect before, during, and after the extraction. On the day of your wisdom tooth extraction, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. You may also be given a general anesthetic especially if all of your wisdom teeth will be removed at one time. The general anesthetic will prevent pain and will give you the illusion of having slept through the entire procedure.
To remove the wisdom teeth, your doctor will open the gum tissue over the tooth and remove any bone that is over the tooth. The whole tooth is then either extracted or cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches.
There are several factors that will affect how easy it is to remove the wisdom teeth. If the tooth has fully erupted, it is a similar procedure to a typical tooth extraction. However, if the tooth is fully impacted or if the teeth have not erupted through the gums the surgery may be more complicated.
1. Will all of my wisdom teeth be removed?
Because each patient’s needs are unique, it’s important to discuss your options with your doctor. During your consultation, your doctor will discuss how many wisdom teeth need to be removed in order to prevent future dental issues. The doctor may choose to remove all wisdom teeth at once or just remove a few potentially problematic teeth.
2. What type of anesthesia will be used?
Our office uses different types of general anesthesia during wisdom teeth extractions. To learn more about the various forms of sedation we offer, visit the sedation page of our website.
3. How long does the procedure take?
The duration of your procedure depends on how many wisdom teeth are being removed. Usually, the procedure lasts 1 to 2 hours.
4. How long until I am completely healed after surgery?
Complete healing doesn’t fully occur for a few weeks to a few months after extraction. Usually, after about two weeks, your mouth will be reasonably comfortable.
5. Are there any potential post-surgery complications?
There are two potential complications that may occur post surgery. Dry socket is a common complication that occurs when a blood clot has failed to form in the extracted tooth socket or when a clot has been dislodged. Dry sockets usually occur 3-4 days after the extraction and are accompanied by pain and a foul mouth odor. Dry sockets are easily treated by placing a medication in the socket.
Paresthesia is a less common complication that occurs when nerves in the jawbone are bruised or damaged during the extraction process. This may result in numbness (paresthesia) of the tongue, lip, or chin that can last days, weeks, or be permanent.
6. Will I have to miss work or school?
Most patients usually have to miss at least 1-2 days of work or school after their wisdom teeth are extracted. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers that will make it difficult to focus as they may make you dizzy or sleepy. Patients are asked to keep ice on the outside of their face for at least 24 hours to prevent inflammation or swelling. Your doctor will also usually recommend relaxing as physical activity, even as minor as walking, may increase bleeding. However, after a few days of recovery, most patients are able to return to their day-to-day activities with little to no problem.
7. My dentist does wisdom tooth extraction. Should I still see an oral surgeon to have my wisdom teeth removed?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS’s) are the only dental specialists recognized by the American Dental Association who are surgically trained in a hospital-based residency program for a minimum of four years. OMS’s train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery and anesthesiology, and spend time in otolaryngology, plastic surgery, emergency medicine and other specialty areas. Their training focuses almost exclusively on the hard (i.e., bone) and soft (i.e., skin, muscle) tissue of the face, mouth, and jaws. Their knowledge and surgical expertise uniquely qualifies them to diagnose and treat the functional and esthetic conditions in this anatomical area.
8. What is the best age to have wisdom teeth removed?
Because each patient is unique, the ideal age to remove wisdom teeth may vary. Most doctors will recommend having them removed before they are fully developed to prevent crowding after eruption. Younger patients also tend to heal faster and with fewer complications than older patients.
9. What if I chose not to have my wisdom teeth removed now?
Even if you chose to wait to have your wisdom teeth removed, it is important to continuously monitor them. Your mouth is constantly changing over time and it is possible to develop problems later in life. As with many other health conditions, as people age, they are at a greater risk for health problems and that risk includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth
.Dr. Jonathan Tiger of Tiger Periodontics and Dental Implants, is a leading periodontist in the Pomona and Central Valley, NY area. His office utilizes advanced techniques to ensure each patient receives the comfortable care and attention they deserve. Dr. Tiger performs the LANAP® Laser Treatment for gum disease, dental implants, gum grafting surgery, periodontal plastic surgery, bone grafting, sedation, and All-on-4® Implants.
Call (845) 670-4355 to schedule your appointment at the Pomona location or call (845) 670-4355 to schedule your appointment at the Central Valley location. Or click here to request your appointment online!
