- Dental ExaminationThe older the patient, the more likely an impacted tooth will not erupt by nature’s forces alone even if the space is available for the tooth to fit in the dental arch. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a panorex screening x-ray along with a dental examination be performed on all dental patients at around the age of seven years to count the teeth and determine if there are problems with eruption of the adult teeth.
- CrownsThrough this digital technology and in conjunction with your dentist, Dr. Patel can offer the most cutting edge treatment options to help facilitate highly efficient and accurate treatment outcomes. In conjunction with dental implant therapy, Dr. Patel can take extremely accurate digital impression and electronically deliver this information to the dental lab for fabrication of the new tooth (crown). This not only results in a precise fit of the new tooth (crown), but also can reduce your total treatment time.
- BridgesIf the eruption path is cleared and the space is opened up by a young age (11-12), there is a good chance the impacted tooth will erupt with nature’s help alone. If the tooth is allowed to develop too much (age 13-14), the impacted tooth will not erupt by itself even with the space cleared for its eruption. If the patient is older (over 40), there is a much higher chance the tooth will be fused in position. In these cases the tooth will not budge despite all the efforts of the orthodontist and oral surgeon to erupt it into place. Unfortunately, the only option at that point is to extract the impacted tooth and consider an alternate treatment to replace it in the dental arch (crown on a dental implant or a fixed bridge).
- Dental Bonding
- Root Canal TreatmentOther dental specialists may be called upon such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are used as replacements.
- DenturesAs the bone continues to melt away, the dentures become loose and can fall out when laughing, sneezing or coughing without the use of adhesives
- Dental ImplantsOver a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is resorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.
- Oral SurgerySwelling is a normal occurrence after oral surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously as much as possible for the first 48 hours.
- Gum SurgeryIn some circumstances, especially those where the tooth had to be moved a long distance, there may be some minor “gum surgery” required to add bulk to the gum tissue over the relocated tooth so it remains healthy during normal function. Your dentist or orthodontist will explain this situation to you if it applies to your specific situation. These guidelines can be adapted to any impacted tooth in the mouth.
- Maxillofacial SurgeryDr. Patel earned his dental degree (DMD) from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Patel completed a comprehensive residency at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his last year of residency, he served as a chief resident in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
- Tooth Extractions
- Bone GraftingFor more information about bone grafting at Piedmont Oral & Facial Surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel, please call 404-907-2117.
- BracesAn exam is performed by your dentist or hygienist, who will refer you to an orthodontist if a problem is identified. Treating such a problem may involve an orthodontist placing braces to open spaces to allow for proper eruption of the adult teeth. Treatment may also require a referral to an oral surgeon for extraction of over retained baby teeth and/or selected adult teeth that are blocking the eruption of the impacted teeth. The oral surgeon will also need to remove any extra teeth (supernumerary teeth) or growths that are blocking eruption of any of the adult teeth.