Extraction/Preservation
While we focus on helping you maintain your teeth for a lifetime, sometimes certain teeth need to be removed.
Wisdom teeth, extra teeth, or very crowded teeth present situations that may mean treatment involving removal. In some cases, severely decayed or cracked teeth, or those missing large amounts of supporting bone leave extraction as the only viable option.
We always consider your comfort regardless of the type of care you’re receiving. We’ll discuss your unique situation specifically to determine the best way to help you receive the treatment you need. Few patients look forward to any minor surgical procedure, but today’s methods provide the safest, least invasive care possible.
EXTRACTIONS
Despite your best efforts, teeth sometimes need to be removed to protect your health. When we’ve discussed all other possibilities and you’ve decided on extraction, we’ll take every step to help you. Your well-being always takes priority in any treatment decision. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can include medicated options into your plan. Regardless, we take every measure to make even minor surgical procedures as comfortable as possible.
Teeth present varied levels of removal difficulty, but the Forest Hills Dental team takes pride in helping every patient get numb with modern anesthetics to start every procedure. Once anesthesia settles in, careful steps are taken with instruments designed to elevate your tooth out of place. Specific instructions help you care for the area after your procedure, with prescriptions for any medications needed during the healing period.
While we consider the short-term management of your care, we should also discuss your long-term plans for replacing missing teeth. Leaving a space is always an option, but spaces in your smile can create appearance and functional challenges that are important to consider. Teeth slowly shift or migrate into open spaces, and minimizing the instability of an unbalanced bite can save a number of complications later in life.
Although our primary goal is to help your teeth stay healthy and functional, we can guide you through an extraction when needed. Fortunately, your mouth can be restored back to health after tooth removal. Since teeth help nourish our bodies and support our confidence, we will help you find a game plan that fits your short and long-term goals.
ROOT CANALS
Toothaches provide a vivid reminder that teeth aren’t just inert pieces of hard tissue floating in the gums. Instead, they’re intricately formed parts with layers of hard substances overlaying a delicate core. Coursing through the tooth’s center, this vital bundle of nerves and blood vessels provides nutrients and sensation to each tooth. As long as the tooth stays healthy, you’re rarely aware of the systems at work.
But pain rapidly changes your awareness in any part of the body. Tooth pain can be especially alarming, and it’s meant to warn you that something’s not right. Pain tells us that the bundle of nerves and vessels inside your tooth is irritated, damaged, or under attack.
A deep cavity can give bacteria access to the inner nerve bundle. A crack extending into the same region can create stress that will need additional care to relieve. In some cases, a significant infection may develop in your jaw without any symptoms at all. If Dr. Morganti determines that the nerve won’t recover or infection is present, then root canal treatment may be suggested.
Modern anesthetics provide powerful numbing for gentle removal of the inflamed nerve inside the tooth. The nerve canal undergoes disinfection and careful shaping, and a sealer fills the internal space. A filling or crown over the tooth helps return the tooth to its original condition.
But Are They Safe?
Internet articles continue to circulate claiming adverse health effects from root canals, despite years of research proving otherwise. Many of these claims rest on unsubstantiated theories put forward decades ago without any scientific basis. They’ve been thoroughly debunked by the most credible sources, supported by unbiased research projects. In fact, one popular Facebook article sounding a false alarm shakily rests on a 100-year-old study tossed aside long ago.
Professional organizations routinely review a broad range of research projects throughout the world. The American Association of Endodontists stays abreast of all the current and past research and can clearly support the safety of this vital service. In fact, new techniques and materials make root canal treatment more successful than ever. However, even older methods still hold a proven track record, allowing millions of damaged teeth to continue functioning.
ORAL SURGERY
Minor surgical procedures involving the teeth, gums and jaw bone may be needed to preserve or enhance long-term health. While our philosophy rests on maintaining teeth, each situation deserves consideration of all the factors involved. So when the discussion we have together leads to a surgical correction, Dr. Morganti will take every step necessary to ensure your comfort and safety.
A damaged tooth may need removal if it’s beyond repair. We also understand patients sometimes choose to remove a tooth due to financial limitations. We’ll always work hard to help you find the solution that fits every aspect of your situation. Regardless, Dr. Morganti uses the best methods and equipment to provide a quick and painless visit. Fortunately, sedation options hold out a range of anxiety-reduction protocols that you may wish to consider as well.
Other minor procedures decided on are always applied with the same compassionate philosophy. Biopsies of suspicious tissue, reshaping of gum defects, or removal of obtrusive bone present scenarios that may involve surgical correction.
Dr. Morganti will determine with you the best way for you to receive care. On occasion, they recommend a referral to a trusted specialist. Any time they feel you’ll be served best by a colleague trained in a particular treatment, she won’t hesitate to use the best resources for your care.