Family & Cosmetic Dental Services by Reedley Family Dental Office

Alveoplasty is the process of surgically re-contouring and modifying the jawbone ridge, usually after tooth extraction, to enhance the healing process and prepare the jawbone for subsequent dental restoration procedures such as the placement of dentures.

In some cases, tooth extraction leaves the jawbone surface uneven with high and low points in the socket where the tooth used to be. This poses a problem as the denture is likely to rub against the high points of the socket, making it unstable. Alveoplasty is performed in such cases to smooth out the jawbone to achieve correct alignment, which will make it easier for the dentist to fit dentures as well as help patients by enhancing retention of the said dental prosthesis.

Who Should Undergo and Expected Results

Alveoplasty can be recommended for patients following their tooth extraction to smooth out any rough bone ridges and remove any irregularities in the jawbone. This prepares the jawbone for the placement of dental prostheses such as dentures. The procedure can also be performed alone, without any preceding tooth extraction, for people who no longer have their complete set of natural teeth for a long time and have experienced weakness in their jawbone following bone loss. Some may even exhibit a ridge or lip of bone that protrudes.

This surgical procedure entails several days of rest, especially if performed with tooth extraction. The patient is placed on a soft diet for days to ensure the surgical wound remains undamaged and unopened.

The procedure has a high satisfaction rate, with most patients able to have their dentures fully aligned and attached. A better fit for dental prosthetics results in improved quality of life, especially in dental function, and ensures maximum retention.

How is the Procedure Performed?

Depending on the need, the patient may be placed under local or general anaesthesia for the procedure. The oral surgeon then makes an incision along the gum line, near the area where trimming is required, and the tissue flap is raised to expose the jawbone. The surgeon then proceeds to remove or drill out unnecessary bone using specialised surgical tools like a rotary drill or chisel.

At this point, there are several techniques that can be employed to remove any extra bone. A simple alveoplasty can be used for the removal of both the buccal alveolar plate and interseptal bone through simple bone trimming.

For patients who have a single tooth extracted, the excess bony tissue on both sides of the socket will be removed. The surgeon will then proceed to remove and file excess bones before ending the procedure.

There are other modifications to these techniques that the surgeon can also perform. These include the radical alveoplasty, which involves the complete removal of the labial plate while another technique requires the removal of the interradicular bone.

After modifying and smoothing out the jawbone, bone particles are removed by washing the surgical area with a saline solution. After making sure that no debris is left behind, the flap is lowered and the incision closed with surgical sutures.

A wisdom tooth is often extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent a problem that may come up in the future. When wisdom teeth are starting to erupt, a number of problems can occur: your jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums. Your wisdom teeth may also break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can become trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful – these are the signs of an infection. More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as damage to other teeth and bone, or the development of a cyst.

Procedure

An extraction begins with local anaesthetic being placed to numb the tooth and the surrounding area. Once the tooth is completely anaesthetized, the doctor will “wiggle” the tooth in the socket to break the fibrous bonds that hold the tooth to the bone. When the tooth is sufficiently loose, the doctor will use a tool that elevates the tooth out of alignment. Sometimes that will cause the tooth to come out immediately. Often, the doctor will then use the forceps to “grab” the tooth and wiggle it out the rest of the way. Occasionally, if a tooth is more attached to the bone or the roots are misaligned to not allow easy extraction, the doctor will use a drill to cut the tooth into sections. This allows for easier access and less traumatic removal of the tooth.

Extractions are very much about technique and leverage. Our doctors are all taught the latest techniques and have all the equipment needed to look after most extractions. Specific, complicated extractions are often referred to one of the great oral surgeons in the area, if needed. Talk to your dentist about your specific case and the best options for you.

An Occlusal Adjustment procedure or bite adjustment is a procedure performed to remove tiny interferences that keep teeth from coming together properly. The imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed is called a malocclusion. These interferences can prevent the jaw from closing in its anatomically correct position. Interferences can occur as teeth develop, after an injury, or accumulate over time with wear.

The following dental treatments can also cause interferences:

Fillings
Crowns
Bridges
Extractions

If you suspect that you may need an occlusal adjustment, schedule an appointment with Reedley Family Dental by calling (559) 637-0123.

A frenectomy (also known as a frenulectomy or frenotomy) is the removal of a frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far. It can refer to frenula in several places on the human body. It is related to frenuloplasty, a surgical alteration in a frenulum. Done mostly for orthodontic purposes, a frenectomy is either performed inside the middle of upper lip, which is called labial frenectomy, or under the tongue, called lingual frenectomy. Frenectomy is a very common dental procedure that is performed on infants, children, and adults. A similar procedure frenulotomy is where a tight frenulum may be relieved by making an incision in the tight tissue.

There are several frenula that are associated with types of frenectomy:

Genital frenectomy can be performed to remove frenulums from genitalia
Lingual frenectomy (of the tongue) as treatment for ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)
Labial frenectomy (of the lip) is very common with patients undergoing denture treatment in order to get the proper fit of dentures or patients who have tissues attached to centre of upper lip and causing recession of gums or gap between the upper front teeth called central incisors.
A frenectomy can also be performed to remove a section of tissue (the frenulum) that attached to the gingival tissue between two teeth.

The main function of a bone graft is that, over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for the placement of dental implants or for properly fitting dentures.

A bone graft is a procedure that replaces missing bone with material from the patient’s own body or an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. The graft not only replaces missing bone, but it can also preserve, and in some cases, reverse bone loss. Over time, this new growth then strengthens the area by forming a bridge between your existing bone and the grafted material.

Bone grafts and implants give patients the opportunity to replace missing teeth, to gain back their confidence and restore esthetic appearance and functionality.

Treat our patients beyond the dental office

ARESTIN^® (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, 1mg is indicated as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. ARESTIN^® may be used as part of a periodontal maintenance program, which includes good oral hygiene and SRP.

Arestin® is a bioresorbable gel containing minocycline (a tetracycline derivative) microspheres. It has been FDA approved for treatment of gum disease after a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing

At Reedley Family Dental, our dental care doesn’t stop once you leave the office. It continues until you are 100% satisfied. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our office in Reedley, CA. Our dental professionals are here and happy to help with any questions you may have.

You visit the dentist every six months for your dental check-up and professional cleaning, then one visit the dentist tells you that you have gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. Plaque bacteria, acids and certain foods all contribute to the development of gum disease. Fortunately, two common methods exist to reverse the disease — dental scaling and root planing.

Dental scaling occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments or both. The dentist will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. The ultrasonic scaling device removes tartar (calculus), plaque and biofilm from the tooth surface and underneath the gum line. A manual instrument may be used next to remove the remainder.

Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. The dentist scales the root surface to smooth out rough target areas, eliminating plaque and biofilm development.

How Will It Feel?

If your gum tissue is sensitive and diseased, local anesthesia can be administered to numb the tissue. If your teeth are sensitive before or after the professional cleaning, it may be recommended that you use a desensitizing paste to provide you with sensitivity relief. Dental scaling and root planing may take two to four visits based upon the level of oral disease in the mouth. If you have periodontal disease, dental scaling and root planing will be completed first and then periodontal surgery will be conducted thereafter.

If you think you may have gum disease, scaling & root planing may just be what you need. Please call Reedley Family Dental at (559) 637-0123 to book a consultation.

Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause tooth sensitivity and jaw pain. Studies have shown that grinding can be associated with sleep apnea – a serious medical condition. The noise from teeth grinding and snoring can also disturb your spouse’s sleep if loud enough. Always consult with a dental professional if there are any questions or concerns.

If you clench or grind your teeth you should consider a night guard. This device, which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes, provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. All night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow proper breathing. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and have the night guard created by a dental lab. Night guards are very durable and can be used for up to 10 years.

There are also some things that you can do to try to consciously stop teeth grinding. Awareness of the problem can help to identify the times and situations that cause you to grind. Refrain from chewing gum or on other objects like pens. Studies show that you should also avoid drinks with caffeine, as these can increase the likelihood of you grinding your teeth. If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night, set up an appointment with us today.

Many people are afflicted with bruxism, or teeth grinding. Some people may do this consciously during the day, but it is a larger problem at night while you are asleep.

Mouth Guards for Sports

A mouth guard should be a top priority in your child’s list of sport equipment. A vacuum-formed custom-fitted mouth guard from our office is your child’s most comfortable and best protection against sports-related injuries.

We’d be happy to prepare a custom sports guard to protect your child.

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) — to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.

Who Should Get Sealants?

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.

Dentures are a way to replace missing teeth that could be lost due to trauma, decay or advanced gum disease. The main benefit is that you will have a set of fully functioning teeth that are custom fit to you. Today’s dentures are more natural looking and comfortable. Dental technology has advanced with the use of new materials, which means a vastly improved set of dentures. There are two main types of dentures- full and partial. Both types are made in a lab, based on a mold of your mouth.

Traditional Dentures

This is when all the teeth have been removed and the tissue is given time to heal before a full denture is placed. The healing time is usually 6-8 weeks before the gingiva is fully healed. During this time you would be without teeth. This method has not been used as much in recent years.

Immediate Full Dentures

Prior to having your teeth extracted, your dentist will take measurements to have dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed. After the appointment, usually, dentures will be left in your mouth, undisturbed, for 24-48 hours. After that time, you will need a follow-up visit with your dentist to access your healing progress. Adjustments to your denture over the next 4-6 weeks are typical and expected as the mouth heals.

Partial Dentures

This option is available when all teeth do not need to be extracted. A partial denture can replace multiple missing teeth if other options are not feasible.

How to Care for Dentures

Keep your dentures clean! Plaque builds up on dentures just like natural teeth. Unless plaque is removed from your dentures, it can spread to your natural teeth and gums causing gum disease and cavities.

Remove your dentures every night.
Brush your natural teeth and your gums with a soft toothbrush.
Soak your dentures overnight in a special cleaner (a denture cleanser), in warm water, or in a half-and-half mixture of warm water and vinegar. If your dentures have metal clasps, soak in warm water only.

See your dentist regularly because your mouth is always changing, therefore your dentures will need some adjusting from time to time to make sure it fits well. If you have a partial denture, regular check-ups are important to make sure that your natural teeth and gums get the care that is needed.

Older Posts

Alveoplasty

Who Should Undergo and Expected Results

How is the Procedure Performed?

Wisdom Teeth

Procedure

Occlusal Adjustment

The following dental treatments can also cause interferences:

Frenectomy

There are several frenula that are associated with types of frenectomy:

Bone Grafting

Antibiotic Treatment

Treat our patients beyond the dental office

Scaling & Root Planing