Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and roots. Implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where the teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, acting as a tooth root substitute. Posts are attached to the implant allowing for dental prosthetic attachments.

Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery includes, but is not limited to Crown Lengthening, Soft Tissue Grafts, and Bone Grafting. These procedures can improve the appearance of your smile by correcting problems like long or short teeth, uneven gum lines, receding gums, exposed roots and indentations in the gums or jawbone.

An extraction is the process of removing a tooth or tooth parts. To perform an extraction, the area is anesthetized to minimize discomfort and the tooth is then rocked back and forth until it is removed from its socket.

Commonly used to expose more tooth structure. Crown lengthening involves the removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of a tooth’s structure.

Commonly used to treat root exposure resulting from receded gum tissue. Tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth or from gum tissue near the tooth and stitched into the area needing gingival repair.

The replacement or enhancement of bone around teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone collapses. Bone grafting is performed to reverse bone loss or enhance bone. The bone can be taken from parts of the body or from synthetic material. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses.

A surgical procedure used to smooth and reshape affected bone under the gum tissue. This procedure is performed when a pocket around a tooth (or teeth) has not responded to other treatments. It creates a shallow pocket making it difficult for bacteria to survive and damage bone, resulting in bone loss and ultimately, tooth loss.

A periodontal surgical procedure that regenerates jaw bone and surrounding tissue. This procedure is often performed to protect your existing teeth and the tissues that keep them in place from bacterial plaque. The gingival tissue is folded back to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes, bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage the body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

Involves placing a regenerative bone grafting material into empty tooth sockets to rebuild bone where an extraction has left an empty, weakened area. This process encourages your body’s natural capacity to regenerate bone.

A Frenectomy is the surgical release of the frenum. There are two types of frenum, the labial frenum, which refers to the tight ligament that attaches the upper lip to the gums, and the lingual frenum, which is the tight ligament that attaches the tongue to the base of the mouth.

Using a laser, we gently sever the frenum using laser pulses to detach the frenum from its attachment. Use of the laser reduces healing time and only takes 3-5 minutes, with full healing of the treated area occurring within 10 days. The entire procedure is performed using only a small amount of anesthetic, and post operative discomfort is minimal, allowing you to eat and function normally after treatment.

An orthodontic exposure procedure can allow teeth that have not yet erupted to come in so that patients can move forward with their orthodontic treatment. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic to deflect gum tissue and, if necessary, adjust bone that may be blocking tooth eruption. This procedure will clear the path for the canine teeth to erupt. We will work with your child’s orthodontist to coordinate this procedure with the orthodontic treatment plan.

Is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

Conscious Oral Sedation

Conscious oral sedation is an alternative minimal sedation that allows you to remain awake but relaxed. For people who have a fear of dental procedures, conscious sedation may take away some of the anxiety. The doctor will combine the use of oral sedation along with a local anesthetic so you have little to no discomfort. You should plan to have someone bring you to the appointment and be available to drive you home following treatment.

IV Sedation

Our highly qualified staff is trained to provide IV sedation in our office.

IV sedation is an alternative sedation that allows patients to be relaxed during procedures. Dr. Wanatick will combine the use of IV sedation along with a local anesthetic so you have little to no discomfort.

For IV Sedation, our patients’ vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate are continuously monitored by our trained staff. Patients should plan to have someone bring them to the appointment and be available to drive them home following treatment.