Jacksonville Dentist
We understand that trying to find a nearby dentist you can trust is difficult, that is why we make it easy for you to work with us.
We Speak Spanish, Albanian, Vietnamese (904) 733-3391
Oral Surgery: Solutions for a Healthy Smile
When a dentist mentions “oral surgery,” many patients begin to panic. Most patients think that there is something seriously wrong with them, or that they are going to be undergoing a dangerous, painful, and expensive procedure. The truth is, however, that many oral surgery procedures are commonplace and address conditions that many patients of all ages experience, such as impacted wisdom teeth, sleep apnea, or tooth loss. While every case is different, many of these procedures are completed on an outpatient basis, and patients can resume work and normal activities within a few days. It is also true that many dentists recommend that you see an oral surgeon because in some cases, the surgeon may advise us that there are other, nonsurgical, treatments available. If you are apprehensive about a referral to an oral surgeon, speak with us at your next dentist appointment.
List of Services
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Dental Implants
Dental implants have changed the way dentistry has evolved over the last 25-years. A dental implant is a replacement for the root of a tooth. They are used to secure crowns to the jawbone using titanium and titanium alloy. These metals are used because they are lightweight and biocompatible – which means they are not rejected by our bodies. Dental implants are used to replace teeth that have been affected by decay, disease, oral cancer, or a number of causes such as smoking, alcoholism, or injury. Dental implants require a procedure to create channels in the jawbone so the implants can be fitted with intimate contact with the jaw. Implants generally require 3-6-months for the bone to fuse with the titanium rod before we can place a tooth restoration (a crown or bridge), to complete the process.
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Reconstructive
Accidents happen due to sports injuries, falls, work-related incidents, or any kind of trauma, and when it involves our face, it can be frightening and stressful. That is why you should book an appointment with us so we can determine the best course of action. Dental surgery for facial reconstruction breaks down into two categories – soft tissue injuries and fractures.
Soft tissue injuries include trauma to the skin or gums, such as cuts on the inside of the cheek, lips, or tongue. Soft tissue injuries also include lacerations on the soft or hard palate.
Fractures relate to the tiny bone tissue in our mouths, and includes reconstruction to the jawbone and teeth. Larger reconstructive surgeries go into the nasal cavities and the forehead, if the facial injuries are severe enough. In some cases, reconstructive surgery utilizes dental implants along with other methods of treatment and mechanics to repair jaw alignments and bone structure.
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Dental Extractions
Sometimes it is necessary to extract a tooth. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Extractions are commonly performed in cases where a deciduous "baby" tooth is reluctant to fall out, a severely broken down and non-restorable tooth is present, or "wisdom tooth" is poorly positioned and unable to fully erupt into place.
To reduce any anxiety and insure patient comfort whenever a tooth extraction is necessary, the procedure, the post surgical instructions, as well as any restorative follow-up care will be carefully and completely explained.
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Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth, which are also known as the third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop in the oral cavity as well as the final ones to come into place. However, as is often the case, many wisdom teeth do not have sufficient room to erupt, are not developing properly, or are causing issues for the adjacent teeth and the surrounding tissues. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently see patients with impacted or problematic wisdom teeth for an evaluation or extractions as indicated.
A wisdom tooth is considered impacted when it is submerged under gum tissue or bone and unable to erupt into position. Based on the type and amount of overlying tissue, impactions are classified in a few different ways. Soft tissue impactions occur when a wisdom tooth remains covered by gum tissue. If a wisdom tooth remains completely, or partially obstructed by bone, it's known as a bony impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth can potentially cause many problems and may need to be removed when they are the source of:
- Pain
- Infection
- Cysts
- Tumors
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Gum disease
- Extensive tooth decay
Although the extraction of wisdom may be recommended for older patients, the early removal of problematic or potentially problematic wisdom teeth in young adults is often the case. Among the many reasons for this approach to care is that extractions at this stage of life are simpler, and patients experience a shorter recovery time with fewer complications.
Whatever the case may be, patients of all ages can rely on the expertise of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the evaluation and treatment recommendations for developing, impacted, or erupted wisdom teeth.