Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
A wisdom tooth or third molar is one of the three molars furthest back in the mouth. The age at which wisdom teeth come through (erupts) is variable, but generally occurs in late teens and early twenties. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, one in each of the four quadrants, but it is possible to have none, fewer, or more. Wisdom teeth may get stuck (impacted) against other teeth if there is not enough space for them to come through normally. While this does not cause movement of other teeth, it can cause tooth decay if the impaction makes oral hygiene difficult. Wisdom teeth which are partially erupted through the gum may also cause inflammation and infection in the surrounding gum tissues, termed pericoronitis. It therefore, becomes imperative to remove (extract) them. This is a standard surgical procedure but requires extreme care to avoid infection and minimize post-operative pain.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal Gum Surgery also known as Periodontal Plastic Surgery is designed to restore form and function to the gum tissue, periodontal ligament, and the bone that supports your teeth or an individual tooth. The real long-term goal of any periodontal gum surgery is to increase the life expectancy of the teeth and their usefulness; it is not a cure for periodontal disease. Periodontal Disease is diagnosed when gingival or gum tissue attachment to the teeth is abnormal and bone changes may be evident through x-rays. The degree of periodontal disease will be estimated by examining “pockets” between the gum and tooth to see how much detachment exists. In cases of severe periodontal disease, surgery is necessary to repair and regenerate the soft and hard tissues and replace any missing teeth. The goal of surgery is to eliminate pockets between the gum and tooth and attempt to encourage reattachment, normal function and aesthetics to the patient.
