When oral health concerns extend beyond routine care, requiring specialized attention, Acre Wood Dental in Temple, TX is here to help. Our practice offers comprehensive oral surgery services, addressing complex dental and maxillofacial conditions with precision and a strong focus on your comfort. Our highly skilled team is equipped to handle various surgical needs, from addressing impacted teeth to performing advanced bone grafting for dental implants, all within a familiar and supportive environment. We use state-of-the-art technology and adhere to strict safety protocols to ensure the best possible outcomes for every patient.
Our top surgical procedures at Acre Wood Dental in Temple, TX include:
Sinus Lift
As part of our comprehensive implant services at Acre Wood Dental in Temple, we perform sinus lifts, a common and highly successful procedure necessary when insufficient bone exists in the upper jaw for dental implant placement. The upper back jaw naturally has less bone density and is often close to the maxillary sinuses (air-filled cavities located behind your cheeks and above your upper back teeth). If these sinuses are too close to the implant site, or if bone loss has occurred due to missing teeth for an extended period, there may not be enough vertical bone height to securely anchor a dental implant.
A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, involves gently lifting the membrane that lines the sinus floor and then placing bone graft material into the space created. This added bone material is then given several months to integrate and mature, creating a solid and stable foundation. Once sufficient new bone has formed, dental implants can be successfully placed, ensuring their long-term stability and success in an area that previously lacked adequate support. This procedure is a crucial step for many patients to become candidates for life-changing dental implants in their upper arch.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
At Acre Wood Dental in Temple, wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure we perform to prevent or alleviate a variety of oral health issues. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Often, there isn't enough room in the jaw for these teeth to emerge properly, leading to them becoming "impacted" – meaning they are trapped beneath the gums or growing in at an awkward angle. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant problems, including pain, swelling, infection (pericoronitis), damage to adjacent healthy teeth, development of cysts or tumors, and even contribute to orthodontic crowding.
Our experienced team will conduct a thorough examination, including digital X-rays, to evaluate the position and condition of your wisdom teeth and determine if extraction is necessary. The procedure itself is performed with your comfort in mind, typically using local anesthesia to numb the area, and sedation options are available for those who experience anxiety.
During the wisdom tooth extraction, the tooth is carefully and gently removed from its socket. If the tooth is impacted or partially erupted, a small incision in the gum tissue or removal of some bone may be necessary to facilitate removal. We provide detailed post-operative instructions and support to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery. By addressing problematic wisdom teeth, we help prevent future complications, preserve your oral health, and contribute to your overall well-being.
Tooth Extractions
While we always aim to preserve your natural teeth here at Acre Wood Dental in Temple, a tooth extraction sometimes becomes the best course of action to safeguard your overall oral health. We typically recommend removing a tooth when it's too severely damaged by decay, infection, or trauma to be saved with restorative treatments like fillings or crowns.
Extractions might also be necessary in cases of advanced gum disease where a tooth has lost significant bone support, to create necessary space for orthodontic treatment, or when dealing with problematic wisdom teeth (which we can discuss in more detail separately). Our experienced team will thoroughly assess your situation, including detailed X-rays, to confirm if an extraction is truly the most appropriate step. We prioritize your comfort throughout the process, using effective local anesthesia to ensure it's pain-free, and we offer sedation options for those who feel anxious. After the extraction, we'll provide clear post-operative care instructions for a smooth recovery and discuss excellent tooth replacement options, such as dental implants or bridges, to maintain your bite's integrity and your smile's beauty.
Root Canals
When the soft inner pulp of a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or trauma, a root canal is often the most effective treatment to save the tooth and alleviate pain.
At Acre Wood Dental in Temple, our dentists perform root canal therapy to remove the diseased or damaged pulp, thoroughly clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth's root canals, and then fill and seal them. This process eliminates the infection, prevents its spread, and allows the natural tooth structure to remain intact.
Following a root canal, we typically recommend placing a dental crown to further seal and protect the tooth. Our team will keep you comfortable throughout the procedure and provide comprehensive pre- and post-operative instructions for a smooth recovery.
Advanced Oral Surgery for Your Healthiest Smile
If you need oral surgery or have any questions about our available procedures, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Acre Wood Dental in Temple. Call us today to discuss your needs and discover how we can help you achieve optimal oral health.
