ToothSurgery.info

In the past, dental extractions were used as a treatment of a variety of illnesses, and even as a method of torture. Just the mention of dental surgery or tooth surgery is enough to make most people feel anxiety. Due to modern dentistry techniques your dentist is able to provide you with wonderful alternatives that do not involve highly invasive procedures or pain. We will explain many of the common tooth surgery procedures used by dentists. Hopefully this will provide ease the ordeal of a dental surgery procedure.

When would your dentist recommend tooth extraction surgery?

Many people experience problems relating to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. If you have an accident and this happens to you it is very important to get it repaired quickly. In many cases your dentist has the ability to repair the damaged tooth without inconvenience. If your dentist decides it’s not possible to repair the damaged tooth then a tooth extraction surgery might be recommended.

Another common reason for dental extraction surgery is if you dentist finds there is substantial decay of either the tooth Dental caries are common among people all over the world. In severe cases a dentist will attempt a root canal to heal the affected area. If a root canal is unsuccessful or not possible your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction surgery.

Periodontal disease commonly known as gum disease is the term given to degeneration in the tissue that surrounds the teeth. One of the most common symptoms of gum disease is bleeding gums. When people have severe gum disease the tooth may no longer maintain a static position. As a result a dentist may recommend tooth extraction surgery to repair the affected tissue.

Misaligned or impacted teeth are a common problem experienced by many people. When teeth are normally aligned the upper and lower teeth fit together providing a normal bite. Ideally upper and lower teeth fit with the upper molars matching the groves of the lower molars. If they are not aligned correctly an overbite or twisted tooth, crowded teeth may result. When a tooth does not emerge from the gum correctly it is called an impacted tooth. Impacted teeth remain lodged in the gums and can cause problems for the bite. The most common impacted tooth occurs with the wisdom teeth. When a wisdom tooth does not emerge correctly a tooth extraction surgery may be needed.

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Dry socket

Dry socket symptoms

Wisdom teeth dry socket

Dry socket treatment

Dry socket prevention

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Ok.  So what do you do if you’ve broken your tooth and cannot go to the dentist right away?  Maybe its the weekend, maybe you temporarily don’t have any dental coverage, or maybe you just can’t work it into your schedule right away.  There is a new solution out there that will let you make your own temporary filling at home.  It’s called a temporary tooth filling, and it an easy solution you can apply at home in just a few minutes.

In order to put a filling in place, the first step one must take would be to brush your teeth and wash your hands.  Think about it: you don’t want any kind of bacteria lodged into your tooth until you see the dentist.  Once you have a clean working environment, go ahead and remove a small amount of material from the container.  Form it into a ball using your thumb and index fingers.  Place it over your tooth and try and form it around the tooth as closely as possible.  Then bite down for a few minutes.  The filling material will allow the teeth on the opposite side of the mouth to mold it into shape to make eating and biting easier.

Most temporary dental fillings today allow you to eat with them on.  Sometimes it will cause them to corrode a little, but they should survive until your next dentist appointment.  Remember, these do-it-yourself fillings aren’t a permanent solution, but they can be useful at times.  They prevent any bacteria from building up around the exposed tooth and allow you to eat without much pain.  Do not be afraid of getting one either, they are made to be very easily removed by your dentist.  Typically they can last from four to seven days.

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Why am I Having a Root Canal?

A root canal is preformed when a tooth suffers from a crack or cavity below the gum caused by poor tooth care or an extreme impact.  Once a cavity pierces the protective layers of the tooth, the tooth pulp, or soft tissue within the tooth, is exposed.  This can be extremely painful and can also cause the inside of the tooth to become infected.  In order to repair the damage a dentist must remove the infected tooth pulp.  The layers surrounding the pulp will then have a chance to heal.

Why Can’t I Just Have the Tooth Pulled?

In all reality, the removal of the tooth will just stop one problem and cause many others.  Take a minute to feel around inside your mouth with your tongue.  All of your teeth are sandwiched together without too many gaps between them.  When a tooth is removed, it leaves behind a large gap between the two surrounding teeth.  Over time, those teeth will shift around and cause other teeth to shift around.  Your teeth may even change the direction in which they grow and cause problems once they run into something obstructing their path, like another tooth.

What about Implants?

An Implant can be useful for filling the area of a removed tooth, but getting one can cost a lot of money.  The replacement may also not function as well as your original tooth.  It might obscure your eating habits and may even cause other problems with the rest of your mouth.  If the problem can be fixed with something as simple as a root canal, this should be your first choice of treatment.

So How Much does a Root Canal Treatment Cost?

This can be hard to predict.  It all depends on the severity of the problem, which tooth needs a root canal, and the dentist you go to.  Most people should not have to worry too much about paying for a root canal because this is something an insurance provider will typically cover.  However if you are unemployed, own your own business, or just work somewhere that does not provide dental insurance then the treatment can become particularly expensive.

Typical Cost of a Root Canal on a Front Tooth:  $350 to $600
Typical Cost of a Root Canal on a Back Tooth or Molar:  $500 to $900

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A Fiberotomy is a procedure that is typically done with a patient that has had some sort of corrective tooth placement, such as braces.  Also called a Pericision, the dentist must cut the Gingival Fibers away from the tooth to prevent the tooth from rotating back into its previous position.  Since these fibers attach the gum to the tooth, they can cause the tooth to be pulled into the position where it grew in.

The purpose of having these fibers is mainly to anchor the tooth to the gum.  However, they are not really necessary to have.  The root of the tooth and the surrounding teeth can do enough to hold the tooth in place.

The procedure to have the Gingival Fibers cut is very simple, does not require stitches, and can usually be done within about five minutes.  It is so simple that the dentist will be able to work around braces if they are present.  The dentist will use a scalpul to remove the part of the gum in the way.  Then a simple pick is used to cut away at the fibers.  Once they are cut, the piece of the gum is then replaced.

Recovery is not really an issue with a Fiberotomy.  Normally there will be no painkillers prescribed and the patient will be told to simply take a over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil.

A numbing agent is used when performing a Fiberotomy, but it usually does not have to be very strong.

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Tooth extraction is a fairly common procedure that needs to be done when a tooth is infected or causing alignment problems with other teeth to the point where it cannot be corrected in any other fashion.  The procedure is very simple and is much like removing a baby tooth that is about to fall out.  It is simply wiggled back and forth until the tooth is loose enough to be pulled.

Although the process works just like taking out a baby tooth for the tooth fairy, the problem is that permanent teeth are infused into the jawbone.  They are obviously not as easy to remove.  In order to remove a permanent tooth, a dentist must be consulted.  The dentist will numb the area with an anesthetic so that the tooth can be tugged on a lot harder without pain.  Typically they will use a set of special forceps to wiggle the tooth out of the mouth.

Although this is a very quick and easy process for front teeth that only have one root, removing a double rooted tooth such as a molar requires an extra step.  Since there are two roots that oppose each other, wiggling the tooth out will not have much effect and could even cause damage to the jaw bone.  In order to make this process a whole lot easier, the dentist will actually cut the tooth directly in half.  The one double rooted tooth now becomes two single rooted teeth which makes for a much easier extraction.

Once the extraction is completed the dentist will stitch up the gum (if needed) and you will be sent home and wait for the gum to heal.  Although this can be the end of the entire process for some people, leaving a gap where a tooth had previously been is not a good idea and can cause some problems.  It can be hard to somewhat difficult chew with a missing tooth.  Also, it is an area that some teeth can shift into due to strong impacts associated with chewing.  In some instances a domino effect is observed and many teeth down the line can start growing crooked.

The problem can be corrected with either a bridge or a full-on implant.  Some people who do not want another surgery will opt for a partial denture, but these can be very hard to get used to and require a great deal of care.  Partial dentures should not be regarded as a permanent fix.

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What are Dental Crowns For?

Dental crowns are a method used to encase the entire tooth in a molding.  It is a procedure that is typically preformed when a tooth has a particularly large crack or other form of damage.  The crowns, or caps, can be made from various materials, including metal, porcelain, or plastic.  Porcelain crowns are most desirable because of their durability, but they are also the most expensive of materials.

If your tooth has suffered a large amount of damage that could result in an infection, your dentist will recommend putting a crown over that tooth.  It is a preventative measure that could result in a root canal if avoided for a long period of time.  Most crowns can last up to 10 years, making the procedure very much worth the time, effort, and money.

The Procedure:

Step 1: The tooth is first cleaned thoroughly by your dentist.  Any bacteria or decay around the tooth will be removed with an electric instrument, if necessary.

Step 2: The dentist may have to grind the tooth into the shape of a taper, or cone.  Doing this will ensure that the new crown will fit tightly around the existing tooth without leaving any large gaps.

Step 3: A special putty is put around the tooth and left there for a few minutes.  It will eventually harden and be removed by the dentist.  The result is a mold of the tooth which the dentist can send to a lab in order to get a custom permanent crown made.

Step 4: The tooth is fitted with a temporary crown until the next appointment

Step 5: A few weeks later, the new permanent crown will ship to the dentist’s office.  The temporary crown will be replaced with the permanent one at this time.

Step 6: Once the temporary crown is removed, the tooth is scored a few times with an electric tool to provide the new crown with something to grab hold of.  The cap will be adhered to the tooth with a special type of dental cement.

During the entire procedure, an anesthetic is usually given to subside pain.

Recovery:

Recovery time is very minimal, with only a few minor aches and pains.  You can usually continue eating food just as you would have before the procedure within a week.  Sometimes eating and chewing with the new cap can take some getting used to, but after awhile you won’t even notice the difference.

Care:

Your crowned tooth should be regarded just as any other tooth in your mouth in terms of hygiene.  You should continue to brush it along with the rest of your teeth.

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What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a technique that dentists use to extract the infected insides of a tooth.  Technically speaking, a root canal refers to sections in the root of the tooth that store a soft tissue called tooth pulp.  If a tooth is cracked, chipped, or suffers from a severe cavity, the pulp may become exposed and infected.  Once this happens it is necessary to have the substance removed and replaced with a synthetic material which an infection cannot use to survive.

The Procedure:

Step 1:  A dentist creates an opening in the top of the tooth, or Crown, exposing the tooth pulp.  This is the soft tissue within the tooth that is causing the pain and infection you are experiencing.

Step 2:  The infected material is removed from both the pulp chamber and the root canals.  A small insrument (usually refered to as a file) is used to scrape all the material out of the inside of the very narrow root canals.  Sometimes the bone in the tooth will also be reshaped so that the tooth can be filled and sealed easier.  Usually this is the end of the first visit in a series, and a temporary cap is made to cover the large empty hole on top of the tooth.

Step 3:  At the next appointment. the temporary cap is removed and a temporary filling material is inserted into the hollow chambers which used to be filled with pulp.  In order to foresee any problems, Xrays are taken at certain increments of the entire procedure.  Thiis filling will prevent infections for a temporary amount of time.

Step 4:  Another appointment may have to be made at a different location, as a specialist is usually required to perform this step.  The previous filling has to be removed and replaced with a better, more long lasting material.  The cap placed on the tooth is also typically replaced with a better synthetic crown.

Step 5:  Make sure that you book further appointments to check up on the results of the procedure after a certain period of time.  Mistakes can be made by doctors too.  Sometimes the tooth may just not want to heal properly on its own.  You may need an alternative procedure.

At all times during any tooth surgery, an anesthetic will be given to prevent an excessive amount of pain.

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If you have a large space in between your teeth, one of the many choices that you have to fill it is to get a set of partial dentures.  There are many options that you have when getting partial dentures, and you should spend some time learning about all the different ones and their uses.  Factors like cost, medical history, the amount of teeth that need to be replaced, and the location of those teeth can all affect which option is right for you.  Full dentures require the extraction of all remaining teeth and for most people they are a lot more trouble then they are worth

Types of Dentures

The most recognizable type of denture is the old-fashioned glue-in types.  Typically these are for full dentures since there is very little else for them to mount to.  They are often difficult to take care of and maintain because they are very messy and do not like to hold their place.  When using these types of dentures, it is important to chew food with both sides of the mouth at the same time or else the dentures could get dislodged and you will have to adjust them.

A better alternative to glued dentures is ones that are able to attach to other teeth with metal connectors.  Often times they will also include some sort of metal support across the roof of the mouth.  Although they can be a little more uncomfortable at first, they are much stronger and more durable than their glued on alternative.  They also allow you to replace just a few teeth a lot easier.

Some people like to opt for bridges.  These are a set of fake teeth that mount to the surrounding teeth permanently.  The surrounding teeth will first have to be ground into a cone-like shape in order to ensure a tight fit.  Then, the bridge is cemented to the surrounding teeth.  If replacing many teeth in a row, it may be necessary to use two teeth on either side to anchor to instead of just one.

There is also a type of removable bridge that dentists refer to as a snap-in denture.  Snap-ins work much like bridges except that a fixture is placed on the surrounding teeth, usually a very tiny extruding ball.  The snap in denture has a hole that the ball is able to pop in and out of, and can be put in or removed with ease.  These type of dentures also usually have a support on the roof of the mouth.

If there are no teeth to anchor the denture to, or to just have a more permanent solution that does not depend on other teeth, an oral surgeon may secure an implant directly into the jaw which the denture can pop in and out of.  Doing this will ensure that loosing a tooth or a tooth moving slightly inside the mouth wont have any effect on the denture.  While this is by far one of the best solutions, it is also the most expensive.

Talking with Dentures:

A person’s mouth and tongue may have a difficult time adjusting to the dentures while talking, just as it is difficult to talk with anything else in your mouth that is large.  All you can really do is practice.  Try and talk for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.  If you can’t think of anything to say, just pick up a book or a newspaper and read out loud.  You sound a little funny at first, but eventually you will get used to it.

So What do Dentures Cost?

Depending on the type of dentures you opt for, the cost can be anywhere from $400 to $4,000.  If you’re on a budget and opt for a $400 job though, you’re going to wind up with something that is similar to what you would buy at a toy store on Halloween.  The only difference is the material that the actual tooth is made of lets you chew food and it is custom fitted to your mouth.  For about $1500 to $2000 you could get a snap-in denture or bridge, and for $3500 to $4,000 you could wind up with something that can actually be removable and supported by the jaw.

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A dental bridge is inserted in your mouth when you have a large gap of one or more than one tooth missing.  The general idea is to use the surrounding teeth as a support and a large multi-section crown is made to cover both the supporting teeth and the gap between the supporting teeth.  Using this method will enable you to avoid getting implants which can be much more expensive and take a lot more time to install.

The Procedure:

The first thing the dentist must do grind the supporting teeth into the shape of a cone.  By doing this, a crown can be easily fitted over the teeth without any gaps.  The dentist will then make a mold of the entire section where the bridge will be.  The mold is sent off to a lab and a bridge is fabricated from it.  Your dentist will at this point send you home until the bridge is sent out.  You will be supplied with a temporary bridge to protect the supporting teeth and exposed gums.

Once the bridge comes in, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge and clean the supporting teeth and gums if necessary.  They will then apply cement to the new bridge and fit it onto the supporting teeth.  Once the bridge is fitted correctly, the dentist will send you on your way.

Care:

A bridge should be regarded just like any of your other teeth.  It should be brushed, but because all of the crowns are fused together, it is impossible for food or plaque to build up between them.  So, you do not have to worry about flossing them.

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