Your oral health affects every part of your life, from your appearance and self-esteem to your overall health and wellness. This means that your oral health needs are as unique as you are.
That’s why we have designed our practice to provide fully personalized care to every patient. From your very first visit to our office, you will find that we take time with you. We complete a thorough examination and discuss the state of your oral health with you. We ask you about your smile goals and answer all your questions. We work together with you to review your options and design your treatment plan.
Every surgical procedure should be considered seriously. An experienced and certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon has more than four years of additional training across a wide variety of surgical procedures and oral health concerns. Dr. Bessey and Dr. Gonzales are experts both in performing oral and maxillofacial surgeries and in recognizing when surgery is not the best option for our patients. You can trust that our recommendations are always based on your unique needs.
Our dedication to excellent oral and maxillofacial surgery and truly personalized care is why so many people choose Hockley Dental.
Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last set of permanent molars to emerge. These teeth are also the most likely to require extraction, due to several complications. However, other teeth may also require extraction if they cannot be saved by root canal therapy or other treatment. Some of the most common reasons to have teeth extracted include:
Dr. Bessey or Dr. Gonzales may recommend the extraction of one or more of your teeth if any of these issues apply to you. During your consultation, we may also recommend sedation dentistry to make your experience more comfortable.
After your extraction, you will need to be driven home by a friend or family member. You will require rest, but lie with your head propped on a pillow to prevent prolonged bleeding.
We will apply gauze when your extraction is complete. When it becomes soaked, change it for a fresh piece. Use pain medication and ice packs as directed for pain and swelling. If bleeding continues beyond 24 hours, contact our office immediately.
For the first few days following extraction, limit your diet to soft foods. Avoid smoking or using a straw, as the pressures created by these actions can slow clotting and loosen sutures.
Implantation is the first stage in a two-part process that provides a long-term solution for tooth loss. The dental implant, a small titanium post, is gently placed into your jaw by our doctors. This post functions as an artificial tooth root. As it heals, the implant will fuse with your natural bone, creating a strong, secure foundation for the replacement tooth or denture. Throughout the process, our team takes great care in ensuring your optimal comfort.
Crown lengthening treatment removes excess gum tissue from around one or more of your teeth, exposing additional tooth structure above your gumline. This may be recommended if you have a “gummy” smile or to provide better access to correct issues with decayed or broken teeth or infected gums.
During treatment, your gums are moved away from your tooth and jawbone. The bone will be smoothed, if needed, before reattaching the gums lower on the teeth. With more tooth structure showing above the gumline, your teeth now appear longer and your gums less prominent.
Dental implants are an aesthetic and effective solution for tooth loss. However, to place a dental implant, you must have a sufficient healthy bone structure in the area where the implant will be placed. This bone serves to anchor the implant in place and ensure your tooth replacement solution is strong and long-lasting.
When teeth are lost or removed without replacement, resorption (bone loss) can occur. If we find that you have experienced bone loss in the area where you need implants, we may recommend a bone graft. A bone graft augments the healthy bone in your jaw and stimulates regeneration that further restores your jawbone structure.
Once fully healed, you will be ready to receive dental implants that will provide a solution for tooth loss and prevent further resorption of jaw bone structure.
