- Oral Cancer ScreeningOne of the most important services we can provide is the early detection of oral cancer. Approximately 30,000 cases of oral cancer are expected to occur in men and women in the United States yearly. It is one of the most prevalent cancers and one of the most common causes of death throughout the world. The prognosis can be excellent if found in the early stages. For this reason your general dentist will perform a thorough oral cancer screening including an examination of the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, teeth and soft and hard palate. If any suspicious lesions are found your dentist may refer you to Dr. Tiernan for a biopsy or excision of the area.
- BridgesComposed of titanium, a metal that “fuses” with the bone through a process called “osseointegration”, dental implants never slip or make embarrassing noises that advertise the fact that you have “false teeth” and never decay like teeth anchoring fixed bridges. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.
- DenturesRemovable dentures may slip or cause embarrassing clicking sounds while eating or speaking. Fixed bridges often affect adjacent healthy teeth. Recurrent decay, periodontal disease and other factors often doom fixed bridgework to early failure. For these reasons, fixed bridges and removable dentures usually need to be replaced every seven to 15 years.
- Dental ImplantsFollowing your implant surgery, the area of surgery may be covered by periodontal packing, a pink “silly putty” material that should stay in place until your next appointment. This material will harden in two to three hours after placement. Do not be concerned if little pieces start chipping off before your follow-up appointment, this is normal. However, if the entire packing becomes loose or comes off, please call the office so that we may check the area and replace the packing if necessary.
- Oral SurgerySwelling is worse the first day after surgery and can last up to seven to fourteen days. You may use ice packs on the area periodically the first day of surgery to minimize swelling. It will usually subside after three days. It is normal to experience pain following most oral surgery.
- Maxillofacial SurgeryDiplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Tooth ExtractionsTeeth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons: extensive decay, advanced periodontal (“gum”) disease, infection, or trauma. In most cases we can evaluate and treat you at the same visit provided we can use local anesthetic. Patients can usually tolerate single tooth extractions easily using local anesthesia alone or local anesthesia combined with nitrous oxide (laughing gas). However, not all extractions or patients are the same. Some patients may require an outpatient IV sedation or general anesthesia to complete the treatment in the most comfortable and efficient way possible.
- Bone GraftingIn dentistry, the primary indication for bone grafting has been the restoration or augmentation of the jawbone for implant placement. Over a period of time, the bone associated with missing or extracted teeth shrinks or atrophies resulting in a situation where there is inadequate quality or quantity of bone in which to place a dental implant.