Services

Bone Grafting

A bone graft can repair an area of the jaw where a tooth used to be, or any area where there is bone loss. Bone for the graft can be taken from one area of the mouth and transferred to another. Synthetic bone or sterile bone taken from another source, most commonly cadaver bone, can also be used. Once the bone graft is placed, the area is given time to heal. The healing period takes a minimum of four months. During this time, the graft solidifies and permanently blends into your natural bone tissue. Once healing is complete, the damaged bone will have regained its original strength and stability, and further procedures such as a dental implant can be started.

Dr. Blomquist recommends a bone graft be placed after most extractions in order to preserve the bone integrity for future tooth replacement, especially if you are considering a dental implant.

Tooth Extraction

When a tooth has become so extensively decayed or damaged that it cannot be saved, the tooth will need to be removed, or extracted. If left in place, the damaged tooth could lead to further complications such as infection or decay below the gumline, leading to more costly and extensive procedures in the long term. 

In a simple extraction, your tooth is removed without surgery. The area is numbed, and the dentist applies slight pressure with specially designed instruments to gently and gradually ease the tooth from the socket. Once the tooth has been removed, the dentist will clean the area so the healing process can begin. If possible, your dentist may make you a temporary appliance to replace the missing tooth while the area continues to heal. 

In a surgical extraction, a tooth has become so extensively decayed or damaged that it requires surgical access to be removed. The area is numbed and hand instruments are used to clear a path in the surrounding soft tissue to ease the removal of the tooth. Sometimes removing bony obstructions or dividing the tooth into smaller pieces is necessary to facilitate the extraction. Once all of the tooth fragments are removed, the area is thoroughly cleaned and sutures may be placed to help close the area to allow for healing. 

When your doctor has determined that the area has sufficiently healed, they will present treatment options available to you to permanently replace the extracted tooth. These options could include implants, a bridge or a denture.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

When a 3rd molar, or wisdom tooth, becomes impacted or oriented in a way that jeopardizes the health of your surrounding teeth, bone, and tissue, your dentist may recommend extracting it. Most people do not have the space in their jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth and they cannot erupt properly. When the tooth does not erupt properly for chewing and cleaning, it is considered “impacted”. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause numerous problems including pain, infection, cyst formation, decay and possibly jawbone damage. It is important to have your wisdom teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if they need to be removed. 

Wisdom teeth can be removed with either a simple or surgical extraction using local anesthesia, sedation, or a combination of both.