Oral Surgery at Grand Lake Dental in Grove, OK
Do you have impacted wisdom teeth or need extraction of a severely decayed tooth? Maybe you are missing a tooth and desire replacement with a dental implant. Or it could be that you suffer from serious issues with TMJ disorder, and conservative treatments haven’t helped.
If so, you need oral surgery. And chances are, you want an educated, experienced surgeon who can also safely administer the sedation oral surgery calls for.
At Grand Lake Dental in Grove, OK, Dr. Karl Jobst has the education, training, and experience you want when it comes to oral surgery. Since graduating dental school in 1998, he has received Fellowship training in Implantology from both the University of Oklahoma and the International College of Oral Implantology.
In addition, Dr. Jobst graduated from an anesthesiology program through the University of California, which means he is fully trained in the safe, effective administration of sedation dentistry.
Oral Surgery—Dental Implant
If you are missing a tooth, a dental implant allows for a restoration that is the most like a natural tooth, as it is the only option that replaces the missing tooth root.
Placing a dental implant is a minor oral surgery that involves implanting a titanium post into the jawbone. For this procedure, Dr. Jobst will make an incision in your gumline, place the implant in your jaw, and then close the incision with stitches.
Risks are minor and rare with dental implant surgery, and pain is minimal. Dr. Jobst will discuss sedation options, but usually, the only medication needed is a local anesthetic.
While placing one implant shouldn’t take longer than about 20 minutes, it will take longer for patients receiving more than one, such as for a fixed dental bridge or an All-On-Four procedure for implant-supported dentures.
Oral Surgery—Bone Grafts
Successful dental implant surgery requires a certain amount of bone density. If you have been missing a tooth root for some time (usually three years or more), have severe gum disease, or sustained trauma to your jaw, you may have experienced too much bone destruction to support a dental implant.
If this is the case, you will require a bone graft before implant surgery. Bone grafting can increase the width and height of bone tissue, restructure the bone, and fill in any voids or defects to provide the support an implant requires.
The first step in bone graft surgery is a comprehensive evaluation and examination that includes diagnostic testing, so Dr. Jobst can determine the exact width and depth of the existing bone. Once he fully understands your unique situation, he will discuss the treatment plan and sedation options with you.
Bone graft material can be purchased from a tissue bank (allograft or xenograft) or harvested from you (autogenous), usually from the chin or posterior part of your jaw.
For the surgery, Dr. Jobst will first numb the affected areas. For autogenous, he will carefully remove bone tissue for grafting. He will then make a small incision and prepare the graft site. Next, he will place the graft and anchor it into place. He may then place a synthetic membrane over the graft site to encourage bone growth and prevent infection. Lastly, he will close any incisions with stitches.
You will be able to go home shortly after the surgery, and we will provide you with comprehensive care instructions and prescriptions to help manage post-op pain, swelling, and infection.
After bone graft surgery, you will need several months of healing before proceeding with dental implant surgery. During this time, the new bone fuses with existing bone as cell migration causes cell growth and firm adhesion.
In addition, if you have a tooth or teeth extracted or have severe gum disease, a bone graft can be done to prevent or limit future bone destruction that may occur from gum disease or a missing tooth root.
Ridge Modification
Patients with deformities of the lower or upper jaw from trauma, gum disease, or developmental issues may benefit from ridge modification. This procedure can improve the functionality of the jaw, repair the defect to support a dental implant, and cosmetically improve facial appearance.
Ridge modification involves lifting the gum away from the ridge to expose the bony defect. Dr. Jobst will then fill in the area with bone graft material. Lastly, he will close the incision.
Most patients require several months of healing following ridge modification. However, some patients may be able to receive a dental implant during the procedure.
Sinus Augmentation
Sinus augmentation can also increase bone density to improve dental implant success.
With this procedure, Dr. Jobst can raise the sinus floor, which allows for new bone formation. To do this, he will make a tiny incision near the upper molar or premolar region to expose the jawbone. He will then cut a small opening into the jaw and then gently push upward on the membrane lining the sinus. Next, he will fill the underlying space with bone graft material. Lastly, he will close the incision.
This procedure also requires healing time before placing implants.
Oral Surgery—Tooth Extractions
The most common tooth extractions involve the third molars, better known as the wisdom teeth. In most cases, the mouth does not have adequate space to allow these teeth to become functional. Often, the teeth are impacted, or stuck, as there is not enough room for them to erupt properly.
Sometimes impacted wisdom teeth cause swelling, pain, or infection, so they must come out. However, most often, they are extracted to prevent future problems, such as damage to other teeth, dental crowding, and an increased risk of decay and infection.
Dr. Jobst will always treat you as conservatively as possible and do everything he can to help you maintain your natural teeth, but there are times other teeth require extraction. The usual cause is severe, irreparable damage from decay, gum disease, or trauma.
All tooth extractions require a comprehensive oral examination, including x-rays. Dr. Jobst will then discuss your treatment and sedation options, and together you will create a treatment plan.
On the day of surgery, you will need someone to drive you if you are receiving sedation. For IV sedation, you will need to fast for at least eight hours. All patients will receive local anesthesia. Depending on your desires, some patients will receive either nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, or a combination.
After extraction, we will pack your mouth with gauze and keep you until you are alert, and bleeding is under control. Before you leave, we will give you comprehensive care instructions, extra gauze, and prescriptions for pain and antibiotic medications.
Some post-op bleeding and pain are normal. You will want to follow your instructions closely and take the medications as prescribed. Ice is also quite helpful.
Oral Surgery for Pathology
Routine checkups and cleanings include an oral examination. If Dr. Jobst finds something suspicious during your examination, he may want to take a biopsy. This means he will remove some of the cells and tissue to send to a lab for analysis.
Also, if Dr. Jobst finds an abnormal growth, such as a cyst, he may want to remove it surgically. Depending on several factors, he may be able to remove it right away, or he may want to schedule you for a future date.
Call Us Today
Whether you have current symptoms, questions that need answering, are concerned about something, or you were referred to Dr. Jobst by another dentist, we are here to help you.
Call Grand Lake Dental at (918) 787-5800 today to speak with one of our helpful, knowledgeable team members.