General Info

Dental Implants Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved they can smile with confidence. If you are considering getting dental implants in Lafayette or Logansport, IN, please call our office so we can schedule a consultation with you to address your specific needs. Bone Grafting and Jawbone Preservation Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee.) Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration. Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. Large defects are repaired using the patient?s own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different sites depending on the size of he defect. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia), are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay. Wisdom Teeth Extraction Wisdom teeth, officially referred to as third molars, are usually the last teeth to develop. They are upper and lower teeth whose function is to grind food as part of the digestive process. They are located in the very back of your mouth, next to your second (or twelve year) molars and near the entrance to your throat. They usually complete development between the ages of 15 and 20, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of Wisdom. Dental Extractions Teeth may need to be removed for a number of reasons. This could include orthodontic considerations or as a result of extensive decay, ?gum? disease, or trauma resulting in painful, abscessed, or loose teeth. In most non-emergency situations involving the need for dental extractions, we will evaluate and treat you at the same visit. This treatment can be performed under local anesthesia (numbing medicine), conscious sedation or general anesthesia. Please remember not to eat or drink anything (except for prescription medications) for at least 6-8 hours prior to your appointment if you would like to ?go to sleep?. If your dentist has recently taken x-rays which show all of the teeth in question, please bring them with you to your appointment or verify that they have been sent and received. On many occasions a special Panoramic X-ray will be needed to identify vital structures in the area of the surgery. Most patients prefer not to return to work on the day a tooth is extracted?usually because of minor post-extraction bleeding and discomfort. We will provide you with post-operative instructions, extra gauze, and a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics (if indicated) after your treatment is complete. Post-operative instructions can also be found HERE. You can expect mild to moderate discomfort for a few days following the extraction. There may be some swelling, stretching of your lip, or bruising. In general, you should start to feel better after 2-3 days. If you do not, please let us know. If you prefer to be sedated or ?go to sleep?, a pre operative appointment to evaluate your health and discuss anesthesia options is available. Pre treatment consultation is necessary for patients with an extensive medical history or special needs.