Other Oral Surgery Procedures
Trust us for the care and expertise you need for any procedures to keep your teeth and jaw healthy.
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Tooth Extraction
Get Fast and Gentle Treatment
The goal is almost always to preserve your teeth whenever possible. However, with severe tooth decay, severe periodontal disease, and/or significant bone loss, a tooth extraction is the best option.
Reasons for removing your teeth:
- Severe decay
- Broken teeth that cannot be repaired
- In preparation for orthodontic treatment
- Poorly positioned in the mouth – impacted
It is important for you to consider the impact of teeth removal and the effect on your dental health, your chewing ability, jaw, and other teeth. Dr. Khan can discuss your options for alternatives to extraction, as well as replacing missing teeth.
Tooth extractions can be performed in the office under local anesthesia or IV sedation, depending on the patient’s level of comfort and medical history.
Under local anesthesia, Dr. Khan will numb the area of your affected tooth and gums, and you will feel minimal pain. Once the anesthetic will take effect, Dr. Khan will remove the tooth using surgical instruments with minimum pressure and remove it. Upon removal of the tooth, the socket will be cleaned, and pressure dressing gauze will be placed to help reduce bleeding.
Single or multiple tooth extractions can also be performed under IV sedation, depending on the patient’s comfort level and anxiety. If IV sedation is required, the patient will be brought in to receive IV sedation with our trusted anesthesia team. IV sedation procedures require fasting, an escort to accompany you, pre-op medical clearances and insurance authorizations where applicable.
Under IV sedation, your health will be monitored for your vital signs throughout the procedure. An IV line will be started and sedation medications will be given to have you fall asleep. Once the procedure is completed, you will be awakened, in recovery, and discharged to go home under the care of an adult escort. Our team will follow up with you after your procedure to check on your recovery and answer any questions you may have.
Following the extraction procedure, you may be prescribed medications to promote your healing.
Dr. Khan may also recommend placing a dental implant immediately following your extraction, to achieve restoration of the affected area. Our experienced staff will review your treatment options with you during your visit.
3D Imaging
The advanced iCAT FLX 3D imaging system provides us with a quick and effective way to plan your treatment, or to pinpoint oral health concerns. The open design provides a fast, comfortable and non-invasive way to get a 3D scan of your mouth. Dr. Khan and team can then view your dental anatomy from various angles to get a better view of bone structures. This is the newest and easiest way to collect precise data about your dental needs.
Bone Grafts
Dental Bone Grafts to Save Your Jaw & Teeth
Occasionally, there is a need for a bone graft with or without a dental implant. Bone grafting is performed to restore your bone structure as close to its original form as possible, following a tooth extraction or loss, gum disease, or trauma.
In bone grafting, allograft bone graft, purchased from a human tissue bank, is placed in the area where the bone is weak, and it is then fused to the existing bone.
Who Needs Dental Bone Grafting?
Anyone who has experienced significant bone loss in their jaw, especially:
- After a tooth extraction
- Prior to replacing a missing tooth with an implant
- Patients with significant bone loss due to severe periodontal or gum disease
As with any surgical procedure, it is important to discuss your personal medical history and all the risks and benefits of the surgery with your dental specialist.
During the surgery, Dr. Khan will numb the grafting and extraction sites using local anesthetic. Most patients sleep through the procedure thanks to our dental IV sedation team. A small incision will be made to prepare the site for the new bone, and it will be anchored into place. The surgery does not require an overnight stay, and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions for your post-operative care. Dr. Khan will prescribe medications to help manage infection, discomfort, and swelling.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma to Speed Healing
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the process of using your own blood platelets to promote healing in various oral surgery procedures, and is produced by spinning blood in a centrifuge medical device so that it separates to extract the plasma. This simple, efficient, and minimally-invasive procedure can be performed right in our office, and significantly improves successful outcomes in dental implants, bone grafting and sinus lifts. PRP is also commonly used in rehabilitation of full mouth restoration (all-on-X)
Dr. Khan may recommend using PRP in your procedure to achieve faster tissue regeneration, harvesting your plasma to achieve success in your treatment.
If you would like to learn more about PRP, please speak with Dr. Khan and his staff.
Impacted Canines
Humans have two upper, or maxillary, canines and two lower, or mandibular, canines. Canine teeth are sometimes also called cuspids or fangs. Canines have larger and more conical roots than incisors and are usually firmly connected to the jawbone. Canine teeth usually have the longest root of all teeth present in the mouth and are the last to fully erupt and get situated, around age 13.
Impacted canines, then, are canines that are essentially blocked, stuck or unable to erupt completely and function properly. Third molars, known more commonly as wisdom teeth, are the most common victims of impaction. Wisdom teeth serve no real vital function in the mouth, and as a result, are frequently removed. However, impacted canines are very important to the bite, and require additional treatment.
Impacted canines require treatment for the following reasons:
- Canines are usually the last of the front teeth to get situated and therefore close any gaps that may be present in the upper teeth
- Canines play a vital part in the mechanism of biting and are the first teeth to touch when the jaw closes, leading all other teeth into position
- Canine teeth are important to the correct alignment and function of other teeth, and so missing or impacted canines can greatly affect the function and outward appearance of the smile
There are many causes for canine teeth to become impacted, such as extra teeth growing and disruption the natural growth of the canines and overcrowding of teeth, leading to there being no space for the canines to grow out. Regardless of the cause of impacted canines, it is important to get treatment for them.
To begin treatment, schedule a consultation today. Dr. Khan will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and recommend treatment options to get you back to having a beautiful, and functional, smile.
Oral Pathology / Oral Cancer Exam
Are you at risk for oral cancer?
Oral pathologies are defined as any alteration to the color or texture of the mucosa and interior of the mouth. The most serious of the pathologic changes is oral cancer. However, there are many other common pathologic problems which can be diagnosed and treated. If you have any recent changes to the color or texture of your mouth and/or pain, call us as soon as possible to find out if you need an appointment to evaluate it.
According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society, more than 54,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. About 11,230 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The good news is that oral cancer can easily be diagnosed with an annual oral cancer exam, and effectively treated when caught in its earliest stages.
Dr. Khan will perform an oral exam as a routine part of your consultation. If anything concerning is found, Dr. Khan will recommend any necessary tests and treatment.
Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth. Oral cancer can occur on the:
- Lips
- Gums
- Tongue
- Inner lining of the cheeks
- Roof of the mouth
- Floor of the mouth
Although smoking, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are major factors that can cause oral cancer, recent data shows an increase in the oral cancer population that are non-smokers under the age of fifty. Regular visits to the dentist can lead to early detection and possible prevention of the disease.
Symptoms and early signs of oral cancer include, but are not limited to:
- A growth or sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away
- Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth
- The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
- Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
If you are at high risk for oral cancer, or have any of the above symptoms, please schedule an appointment to get an oral examination as soon as possible. We want you to have a healthy mouth and long life.
Dental Emergencies
Get Fast Treatment for Dental Emergencies
Emergency Extractions & Abscesses
Having a lot of pain from a tooth? Schedule an appointment today and we will see what we can do. Dr. Khan will look at where the pain is coming from and diagnose the problem. We will take the necessary steps to ensure you are not in any discomfort and that you can get back to your life, pain free. Sometimes the problem can be treated initially with antibiotics.
Emergency extractions may be required if a tooth is decayed, if there is any pathology affecting the mouth or if there is trauma to the mouth and teeth. Another reason for an emergency extraction may be the presence of an abscess in the oral cavity or in the gums. An abscess is a pocket of pus that is the result of an infection in the mouth. If left untreated, abscesses can decay teeth, bone, and gum, leading to loss of structure.
If you think you may need to have an emergency extraction, call us immediately for an appointment.
Oral Pathology
Oral pathologies are defined as any alteration to the color or texture of the mucosa and interior of the mouth. The most serious of the pathologic changes is oral cancer. However, there are many other common pathologic problems which can be diagnosed and treated. If you have any recent changes to the color or texture of your mouth and/or pain, call us as soon as possible to find out if you need an emergency appointment to evaluate it.
Apicoectomy
Strong roots hold the teeth firmly in place, anchored into the jawbone. Molars and premolars usually have several roots, whereas front incisors are single-rooted. The tip of each root is termed the apex and is where the nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth, and delivers the blood to the crown, or visible top, of the mouth.
A root canal refers to the cleaning of the canals and the removal of infected tissue within the root. When the inflammation persists after the root canal treatment, an apicoectomy may be required. An apicoectomy is the removal of the apex, or root tip, and the subsequent filling procedure to seal the root from further infection. When left untreated, infected roots can spread infection, cause decay and damage surrounding teeth.
There are several reasons why an apicoectomy may be recommended:
- Small adjoining root branches: if tiny root branches cannot be cleaned and sealed, inflammation can persist
- Blocked root canal: if a dentist is unable to effectively clean a root canal due to a blockage, infection and debris may affect oral health
- Narrow or curved root canals: when the root canal is poorly shaped, files cannot reach the root tip. Continuing infection or reinfection can then occur.
Prior to the surgery, Dr. Khan will usually prescribe an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medication to treat the underlying infection. Dr. Khan and his team will take x-rays and conduct an oral examination to plan and proceed with a treatment plan.
This surgery does not require an overnight stay, and full aftercare instructions and pain medications will be provided as needed. After several days, the dentist will remove the stitches, and the connective tissues will fully heal several months after the procedure.
