Surgical treatments include extractions, root canals and periodontal therapies.

Extractions: Removal of a tooth may be necessary when it is damaged beyond repair or when it is not in the proper position. Many extractions can be done with a local anesthetic. Under local anesthetic, you might feel some pressure, but no pain during the procedure. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation to help make extractions more comfortable for our patients.

Sometimes the extraction of healthy teeth is required for good oral hygiene. Some teeth that are badly positioned to the point of pain and irritation may need to be extracted simply to alleviate the pain and to prevent further misalignment of more teeth. The wisdom teeth often fall into this category. Wisdom teeth are at the far rear of the mouth and can be difficult to clean. Improper cleaning can lead to cavities, tooth decay and periodontal disease. Often, it is simply easier to extract the wisdom teeth as a preventative measure against future problems.

Wisdom teeth can also be “impacted” which means that they are in such misalignment that they cannot emerge from the gums in proper or even effective alignment. In some cases, they may even push against other teeth causing the entire mouth to become misaligned. Extracting impacted wisdom teeth can help keep all the teeth in proper alignment.

Root Canals: a root canal is used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.

Periodontal Therapy: Periodontal treatments range from nonsurgical therapies that control bacterial growth to surgery to restore supportive tissues. Our office performs scaling and root planing. This is a deep-cleaning, nonsurgical procedure, done under a local anesthetic. During the treatment, plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. If you need more serious surgical treatments for advanced gum disease, such as bone or tissue grafts or pocket reduction, we will be happy to refer you to a trusted specialist.