Oral surgery at Cochituate Smile Center encompasses a specialized field of dentistry focused on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving the oral and maxillofacial (jaw and facial) regions. Our skilled team is equipped to handle a wide range of complex dental and facial conditions, ensuring patient comfort and optimal outcomes. We are committed to providing expert surgical care with a focus on safety, precision, and a compassionate approach.
Our oral surgery services include procedures such as wisdom teeth extraction, including complex bony and partial bony impactions, dental implant placement for single tooth replacements or implant-supported dentures, and bone grafting to prepare the jaw for implant placement. We also perform sinus lifts to increase bone density in the upper jaw for successful implant integration, as well as frenectomies to release restrictive tissue attachments that can affect oral function and alignment. Additionally, our expertise extends to the diagnosis and surgical management of oral pathology, facial trauma, and corrective jaw surgery in collaboration with orthodontists.
We Prioritize Your Comfort
At Cochituate Smile Center, we prioritize patient comfort and utilize advanced surgical techniques and anesthesia options to ensure a positive experience. Before any surgical procedure, we conduct a thorough evaluation, including imaging and a detailed discussion of your treatment plan and aftercare instructions. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality surgical care to improve your oral health, function, and overall well-being.
Our top surgical procedures at Cochituate Smile Center include:
Sinus Lift
If you're considering dental implants in your upper back jaw but have been told you lack sufficient bone height, a sinus lift procedure at Cochituate Smile Center may be necessary. The maxillary sinuses are located above your upper teeth, and when teeth are missing in this area, the sinus floor can drop down, reducing the amount of bone available for implant placement. A sinus lift gently elevates the sinus membrane and places bone grafting material in the space created, encouraging new bone growth. This creates a solid foundation for supporting dental implants, allowing you to benefit from a stable and long-lasting tooth replacement solution. Our skilled oral surgeons will carefully evaluate your situation to determine if a sinus lift is right for you and ensure the procedure is as comfortable and successful as possible.
Frenectomies
At Cochituate Smile Center, a frenectomy is a simple and often quick surgical procedure to release a tight or restrictive frenum. A frenum is a small fold of tissue that connects two areas in your mouth, such as the upper lip to the gums (labial frenum) or the tongue to the floor of the mouth (lingual frenum). When these frena are too tight or attached in an unfavorable position, they can cause issues like gum recession, gaps between front teeth, or tongue-tie, which can affect speech, eating, and swallowing. A frenectomy involves a gentle incision to release the frenum, allowing for more natural movement and function. This procedure can be performed with traditional surgical techniques or with a dental laser for increased comfort and faster healing. If you or your child are experiencing issues related to a tight frenum, we can evaluate the situation and determine if a frenectomy is the appropriate solution for improved oral health and function.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
If your wisdom teeth are causing concern, Cochituate Smile Center offers experienced care for their removal. These third molars typically appear in the late teens or early twenties, but often don't have enough room to erupt properly. This can lead to impaction, pain, infection, or damage to adjacent teeth. The complexity of the extraction process varies depending on how the wisdom teeth are positioned and how developed they are. We're here to ensure your experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
- Full-Bony Impaction: When a wisdom tooth is full-bony impacted, it means the tooth is completely encased in bone beneath the gum line and has not erupted at all. Removing a full-bony impacted wisdom tooth requires a more involved surgical approach. Our skilled oral surgeons will carefully make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and surrounding bone. It's often necessary to remove some of the bone to gain access to the tooth. The tooth may then need to be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier and less traumatic removal. Following the extraction, the site will be cleaned, and sutures will be placed to aid healing. You will receive detailed post-operative instructions to ensure a comfortable recovery.
- Partial-Bony Impaction: A partial-bony impaction occurs when the wisdom tooth has partially erupted through the gum line, but a portion of the tooth remains embedded in the bone. This situation can still lead to problems such as infection (pericoronitis) due to food and bacteria getting trapped under the gum flap, as well as potential damage to neighboring teeth. Removing a partially-bony impacted wisdom tooth also requires a surgical approach, although it may be less complex than a fully-bony impaction. An incision will be made to fully expose the tooth and the portion of bone covering it. Some bone removal may be necessary to facilitate extraction. Similar to a fully-bony extraction, the tooth might be sectioned for easier removal, and sutures will be placed afterward. Thorough post-operative care instructions will be provided to promote proper healing.
At Cochituate Smile Center, your comfort and safety are our top priorities. Before any wisdom teeth extraction, we will conduct a thorough examination, including digital X-rays or 3D imaging, to fully assess the position and condition of your wisdom teeth and determine the most appropriate and least invasive removal technique. We will discuss the procedure in detail with you, address any concerns you may have, and ensure you understand the post-operative care instructions for a smooth recovery.
Gum Surgery
Maintaining healthy gums is crucial for a healthy smile, and at Cochituate Smile Center, we offer various gum surgery procedures to address gum disease and improve the health and aesthetics of your gum tissues. Whether you're experiencing gum recession, deep periodontal pockets, or require crown lengthening, our skilled team utilizes advanced techniques to provide effective and comfortable treatment. Gum surgery can help to eliminate infection, reduce bone loss, improve the attachment of your gums to your teeth, and create a more even and pleasing gum line. We will thoroughly evaluate your individual needs and recommend the most appropriate surgical approach to restore the health and beauty of your gums, ensuring a strong foundation for your smile.
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a tooth may need to be removed. At Cochituate Smile Center, we understand that a tooth extraction can be a source of anxiety, and our compassionate team is here to ensure your comfort throughout the entire process. Whether a tooth is severely decayed, damaged beyond repair, impacted, or needs to be removed for orthodontic reasons, we utilize gentle techniques and local anesthesia to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. We will thoroughly explain the extraction process, discuss your pain management options, and provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to promote proper healing. Our goal is to make your tooth extraction experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, and we will also discuss suitable tooth replacement options to restore your smile's function and appearance.
Root Canal Therapy
If you're experiencing severe tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, or gum tenderness, you may need a root canal. At Cochituate Smile Center, a root canal is a common and effective procedure to save a tooth that is badly infected or damaged. The treatment involves carefully removing the inflamed or infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels), thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then filling and sealing the space. This process alleviates pain, prevents further infection, and allows you to keep your natural tooth, preserving your smile, bite, and chewing function. With modern techniques and local anesthesia, root canals are typically no more uncomfortable than a routine dental filling. We're dedicated to providing you with gentle and effective root canal therapy to restore your oral health and relieve your discomfort.
Schedule Your Surgical Consult in Framingham
Do you need oral surgery to strengthen your smile and boost your oral health? Cochituate Smile Center is here for you! Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive oral surgery offering.
