Dr. Patel
Periodontist
The training that Dr. Patel has received has given him a wide range of experience in treating advanced periodontal disease, complicated extractions of teeth, placement of dental implants, bone regenerative procedures, as well as in periodontal plastic surgery/cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Pooria Fallah
Periodontist
Dr. Fallah received his DDS degree in 2009 and subsequently completed his residency program in Periodontics at New York University College of Dentistry in 2015. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics in 2016 and has been practicing periodontics in private practice in Dallas since 2015.
Dr. Husain
Periodontist
Dr. Husain is proficient in dental surgical procedures involving bone and soft tissue grafting, dental implant placement, minimally invasive LANAP and other laser procedures, and treating chronic periodontal diseases.
Dr. Li
Periodontist
Dr. Li is a Board-Certified periodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. A Diplomate is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty, demonstrating a comprehensive mastery of all phases of periodontal disease and treatment and in the placement of dental implants.
Should I Have Them Extracted?
There are a number of issues that can develop due to wisdom teeth not being removed, including the following:
- Cyst Formation: When teeth become impacted, cysts can develop and begin to destroy the jawbone and surrounding teeth.
- Infection: When there is not sufficient room for total eruption, the gums around the wisdom teeth can become infected or irritated, which will cause issues such as swelling, pain, and/or difficulty eating, chewing, and/or swallowing.
- Damage to Adjacent Teeth: When there is not enough room to adequately clean the wisdom teeth, the surrounding teeth can become negatively impacted, which can result in decay, bone loss, and/or gum disease.
- Crowding: One of the most common causes of crowding is impacted wisdom teeth, especially in the area of your lower front teeth.
The Extraction Process
In order to determine if you are a good candidate to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will need to schedule an initial consultation, during which we will examine the overall health of your teeth, review your medical history, and determine what treatment options are best suited to your unique needs.
If it is determined that you are a good candidate to have your wisdom teeth removed, your procedure will typically begin with the administration of anesthesia. The type of anesthesia that is used may vary, depending upon the severity of your case as well as your overall sensitivity. If you do receive heavy sedation, it will be important to have someone drive you home following your appointment. It is also important not to eat or drink anything for eight hours minimum prior to your surgery.
Once you are properly sedated, your periodontist will cut away the bone tissue and gum that covers the tooth. Next, the tooth will be divided into sections and removed using forceps. Once the tooth/teeth have been removed, the site will be cleaned, and if necessary, stitches will be used to facilitate the healing process. If you do require stitches, they will typically dissolve 3-5 days after your procedure.
Suggested Aftercare
Following your wisdom tooth procedure, it is common to experience mild to moderate pain, as well as minor bleeding. Swelling is very common, and typically peaks on the second day of recovery. To help reduce swelling, use an ice pack for twenty-minute intervals (twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off). During this recovery period, it is also a good idea to limit physical activity until you have recovered, which typically takes between 3 and 5 days. We also recommend following a clear liquid diet following this procedure, and slowly reintroducing harder foods as your recovery progresses.
Although unlikely, as with any medical procedure, there is the possibility of complications occurring. Potential complications associated with wisdom tooth extraction include dry sockets, infections, delayed healing, and/or tingling or numbness in your tongue, chin, or lips. To help reduce the likelihood of these complications occurring, be sure to follow post-operative care instructions as closely as possible.
Once you have completed the recovery process, there are no additional aftercare instructions you will need to follow, although it is important to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once daily, ideally every time you brush your teeth. It is also important to practice proper brushing and flossing techniques. It is also important to schedule regular checkups with your periodontist every six months. By maintaining a consistent oral health care routine, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing additional periodontal issues and will continue enjoying a bright and healthy smile for many years to come.
Expected Cost
There are a range of factors that can impact the final cost of having a wisdom tooth or teeth removed, such as the severity of your case, the difficulty involved in removal, what type of anesthesia is administered, any associated procedures that need to be performed prior to or along with treatment, and your insurance plan.
Our team is committed to helping you complete necessary paperwork, schedule appointments, and answer any questions you have concerning billing. For patients who have insurance plans, we do request that you submit medical/dental insurance information with your New Patient Paperwork to expedite this process.
Please note: to reduce costs to our patients while still ensuring that we can provide the highest level of care, we have the following financial policies:
- We accept Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
- Full payment is due after services are rendered
- Payment plan options are available via www.CareCredit.com
PERIODONTAL SERVICES
To determine if you have gum disease, your periodontist will measure the space between your teeth and gums. Patients who have pockets that are deeper than the average depth of three millimeters or less will be considered candidates for treating gum disease. Depending upon how severe your case is, your periodontist will suggest a follow-up appointment, during which several different treatment options may be recommended.
Patients who are suffering from periodontal disease may experience gum recession. If this issue is not treated at an early stage, more complicated and serious problems can develop, as gum recession creates greater exposure of your natural teeth, which creates opportunities for bacteria to build. To address this issue, patients have historically had gum grafting, which involves removing tissue from unaffected areas and then grafting this tissue to the areas that have been affected. This is an effective method for addressing the issue of receding gums. There is a newer and increasingly popular approach to treating receding gums, which is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST).
Laser gum surgery is an advanced treatment option that efficiently and painlessly treats gum disease through the use of a laser. One of the unique aspects of laser gum surgery is that the laser pinpoints and kills bacteria without damaging surrounding gum tissue. Unlike other treatment options, which involve cutting and suturing, patients who have laser gum surgery and treatment performed will have a much quicker healing process.
Patients who have gum recession may consider having a gum graft, a common oral surgical procedure that thickens existing gums and/or covers a tooth root surface in order to prevent further recession from occurring. Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is due to periodontal disease. A gum graft will not only improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile but will also reduce your risk of developing additional issues.
Patients who have an imbalanced ratio between their visible gums and teeth have what is commonly referred to as a gummy smile. Gummy smiles can be caused by a range of factors, including bone deterioration, periodontal disease, or genetic predisposition. Regardless of the reason, patients often feel self-conscious about their appearance and will seek to improve this issue by having a gum contouring procedure performed.
Scaling and Root Planing (also known as deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning) is a common method used to address periodontal disease. Scaling refers to the process of removing tartar that has accumulated, either on your teeth or below your gumline. Planing refers to the removal of tartar below the root line. When bacteria are allowed to settle on your teeth for too long, it will eventually mineralize and turn into tartar. The primary difference between plaque and tartar is that plaque can be removed by conventional brushing methods, whereas tartar will need to be removed through the efforts of your periodontist. It is important to schedule regular deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning appointments to prevent periodontal disease from developing.
Schedule Your Visit Today
At ROOT™ Periodontal and Implant Center, we take your oral health seriously. That is why we provide expert services that are intended to return stability, strength, and beauty to your oral cavity. Whether it be through periodontal or implant care, we will restore both your smile and confidence.
If you would like to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction and see if wisdom teeth extraction is right for you, schedule an appointment for a consultation today. We provide services at the following locations:
Carrollton: (972) 242-7603
Flower Mound: (972) 434-8050
Denton: (940) 566-7021
Frisco: (469) 489-ROOT
We look forward to meeting you and providing you with the expert care you need!