You can lose as much as 25% of your jaw bone 1 year after losing a tooth. This may require you to get a bone graft before getting a dental implant
Oral surgeries are usually only needed for major oral health issues, like serious damage to your jaw, or major deterioration of your jaw bone after tooth loss or gum disease.
If you’ve lost a tooth, oral surgery may be used to replace your tooth and to prepare the area before a treatment like a dental implant. A bone graft, for example, may be used to strengthen your jaw bone before an implant is placed.
Treatments like alveoloplasty may be used to remove ridges on your jaw before implants or dentures are placed. Tori removal is also commonly used to prepare for the placement of dentures.
In general, non-surgical treatments are preferred to treat major oral health issues like infected teeth, when possible. If these options are exhausted, oral surgery is usually recommended
Bone grafting is done to prepare your jaw bone for the placement of a dental implant. This is necessary after bone loss due to gum disease or tooth loss has affected your jaw. In this surgery, Dr. Kirkegaard will make an incision into your gums and jaw, and place a special bone powder in the treatment area. Over time, natural bone will heal over this powder to strengthen the jaw sufficiently for an implant.
We are located in Overland Park, however we proudly serve all dental patients in the surrounding areas such as Louisburg.
Tori are bony growths in the upper or lower palate that are harmless, but can interfere with the proper fit of dentures. If you have dental tori and wish to replace your missing teeth with dentures, they may need to be surgically removed by Dr. Kirkegaard. If you have any questions call or don't hesitate to stop by our office located at 7550 W 160th Street, Overland Park, KS 66085.
This procedure is also called “bone ridge smoothing,” and is sometimes required before you get dental implants or a set of dentures. After you lose a tooth, there are often bony “ridges” near the socket where the tooth used to be. If they are especially sharp or prominent, they may need to be smoothed in order to ensure a proper fit for your dental restoration.
In alveoloplasty, the gums are opened to provide access to the ridges. Then, one of our Overland Park dentists will use a special tool to gently remove the bone ridges and prepare your mouth for your implant or dentures.
.png){kind=icon}
About 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and nearly 40 million Americans have lost all their teeth.
Most types of oral surgery take a single appointment of between 1-2 hours, though this may vary depending on the specifics of the surgery, your oral health, and complications related to your condition.
Generally speaking, you should expect to spend a total of 2-3 hours at the dentist in Overland Park, including the time it takes to check in, be sedated, and prepare your mouth for your surgery. If you need to plan for a longer treatment, Dr. Kirkegaard will let you know in advance of the date of your surgery.
No. During your surgery, your mouth will be completely numb. Dr. Kirkegaard will make sure that the area is numb before beginning your treatment. We also offer sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide and pill-based oral conscious sedation, which will help you feel more comfortable during your surgery.
However, you can expect some pain and discomfort as you heal and recover. Once your numbing and sedation wear off, it’s normal to feel some pain. Dr. Kirkegaard will explain what’s normal, and give you instructions on how to handle your discomfort. He may also prescribe a painkiller. If he does, fill the prescription and take it as directed.
This depends entirely on the type of oral surgery you receive. However, the initial healing period for most types of oral surgery is about 1-2 weeks. After your treatment, Dr. Kory Kirkegaard will give you a set of instructions specifically related to recovering from your procedure.
To ensure you recover quickly and without any complications, you’ll need to follow these closely. Your instructions will go over things like lifestyle changes, the diet you should follow, oral hygiene, and how to treat your pain and discomfort.
So follow these instructions to the letter, and please feel free to get in touch with our dental team if you have any questions about how you’re supposed to care for your mouth after oral surgery.
We offer two types of sedation at The Art of Dentistry, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation. The right type of sedation depends on your health and your personal preferences.
Nitrous oxide sedation is often recommended for simpler surgical procedures, such as basic tooth extractions. It helps you feel safe and comfortable, minimizes discomfort, and fights back against anxiety. It’s also cheaper than pill-based sedation, and it wears off within a few minutes, so you can drive yourself to and from our office, and get back to your routine quickly after your surgery is over.
Pill-based oral conscious sedation is different. It will make you feel groggy and you might fall asleep, though you won’t be unconscious and can respond to commands, if needed. You may also forget most of your procedure.
This type of sedation is usually recommended for more invasive surgeries. It will keep you more comfortable. However, you will need to arrange to have someone drive you to and from our office, and to take care of you after your procedure. The after-effects can last 4-6 hours or longer.
Dental implants are the only restorative option that preserves and stimulates your natural bone structure.
© The Art of Dentistry 2019
Website by Wonderist Agency | Privacy Policy
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png)
