Oral surgery has a bad reputation, especially for those with dental phobias. While the word “surgery” does tend to put most people on edge, this fear also comes from the long history of dental care before modern technology. As recently as the mid-1900s, dentists used mallets and chisels to remove impacted wisdom teeth—a far cry from the specialized tools we use in the modern era. At Bivona Family Dental, we aim to challenge this stigma through patient-centered solutions and comfortable techniques! Our doctors have extensive experience in improving the smiles of patients like you, and continue to adapt and grow with the ever-changing field of dentistry. If you need oral surgery in Jasper, AL, trust the compassionate care and innovative technology at Bivona Family Dental.
What Is Oral Surgery?
Despite its intense name, oral surgery is just another way we help patients take care of their smiles.
This branch of dentistry goes beyond routine cleanings or dental fillings, aiming to treat deeper issues. Often, patients who need oral surgery are experiencing persistent and intense pain, which we can relieve. Other times, these procedures are just the next step on your journey to a healthier smile!
No matter why you need our help, we are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the care you need. Our doctors, Dr. Bivona, Dr. Westerman, and Dr. Burgess, hone their craft by continuing their education routinely. In the hands of our skilled doctors and compassionate team, you can trust that your smile will be well taken care of.
Exploring Our Oral Surgery Procedures
At Bivona Family Dental, we offer a wide variety of oral surgeries, showcasing our commitment to your care. Whether it’s a simple concern or a complex issue, we give every case (and every patient) the attention and care they deserve.
Tooth Extraction
While we always aim to preserve your natural teeth, not all teeth can be saved. In some cases of severe decay, infection, or damage, we may not be able to rely on root canal treatment to repair your smile! A tooth extraction may be the only option that helps relieve pain while preventing further issues.
In that case, we combine gentle techniques with innovative technology to remove your problematic tooth. At our office, we utilize a special tool called the Piezotome Cube®. This instrument gently loosens your tooth in its socket using vibration, allowing us to pull it out without disturbing your gum and bone tissue.
By preserving most of your jaw structure, gentle techniques allow for faster healing and a simpler recovery. Patients typically find that extractions with the Piezotome Cube reduce postoperative swelling and bruising, helping them get back to their normal routine sooner!
Also, if you’re looking to have your wisdom teeth extracted, we may be able to help. While we won’t take on advanced impacted wisdom teeth removal at our office, we can often extract troublesome wisdom teeth with ease. If your wisdom tooth requires a specialist’s touch, we will refer you to one.
Dental Implants
After losing a tooth, whether through extraction or other means, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible! Without prompt treatment, your jawbone will gradually lose bone mass and volume. Fortunately, dental implants help prevent bone loss and replace your missing teeth, acting as artificial tooth roots.
These titanium screws secure in your jaw through osseointegration, a natural process that allows titanium to integrate with living bone. Once secure in your jaw, we will anchor a crown, bridge, or denture restoration on your implants to restore your smile!
However, not everyone is eligible for conventional dental implants, which need ample bone for support. Many patients require additional procedures first to rebuild lost bone, adding to their procedural time and price.
To address this, we offer mini dental implants! These titaniim posts are much smaller than their conventional counterparts, but just as reliable and secure. Thanks to their one-piece design and slim diameter, we use a minimally invasive procedure to place mini implants. This treatment allows for faster healing and less discomfort, making it a favorable option among patients.
Sinus Lifts and Bone Grafts
In some cases, patients may need a sinus lift before undergoing implant surgery.
When you lose upper jawbone material due to tooth loss, your sinuses can actually shift downward into that empty space. Shifting puts them in the way of dental implants and makes you ineligible for treatment!
But with a sinus lift, we raise your membrane and fill the space with bone grafting material. Sometimes, this material is your own bone or that of a donor, but it can also be made of a synthetic substance that facilitates bone growth. Over time, the graft will create more vertical bone in your jaw, providing you with enough bone to support dental implants.
Making Oral Surgery More Comfortable in the Modern Day
At Bivona Family Dental, our priority is your well-being and comfort. For any oral surgery, we will use a local anesthetic to numb your smile. But if necessary, we do have other options available. We offer both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, two sedatives that help patients relax while undergoing oral surgery.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, involves breathing in through a mouthpiece or nosepiece. Then, once it’s in your system, you should feel calmer immediately. After your procedure is over, we’ll simply have you breathe in oxygen through the piece again to flush the gas from your system.
In contrast, oral conscious sedation is a pill that you take before arriving for your appointment. Then, have someone you trust drive you to our office.
By the time you arrive, you should begin to feel the effects of the pill take place. Most patients describe it as a sense of euphoria and calm that lasts throughout the procedure. Afterward, have someone you trust drive you home and wait for the effects to wear off.
However, it’s important to note that sedation dentistry is a crutch, not a solution. We aim to build trust with you and help you feel more comfortable at the dentist, with the hope that eventually you won’t need sedation!
Trust Bivona Family Dental To Care for Your Smile With Oral Surgery
Oral surgery has been around for a long time, and it wasn’t always this sophisticated. But with modern dental practices, we can provide comfortable, effective solutions to address your dental issues! Whatever you need, from an extraction to an implant placement, trust the compassionate care at Bivona Family Dental with your smile.
Book an appointment today (FREE for dental implants!) to learn more.
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