Procedures

Wisdom Teeth Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common surgical procedures performed today and is extremely safe.  It is usually carried out while a patient is sedated, either through an IV line or by taking pills orally.  The best time for wisdom teeth to be evaluated is between the ages of 14-20.  In this age range, the wisdom teeth have not yet fully developed and are usually still impacted (buried) in bone and tissue.  At this younger age, the roots of the wisdom teeth are less likely to be involved with the nerves and sinus and the patient’s ability to heal and recover is much more predictable.  A panoramic x-ray will be taken at your dental office and Dr. Johnson will evaluate whether it is advised and safe to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Conscious Sedation (Oral and Intravenous (IV))
Conscious Sedation is a technique used to put a patient into a dream-state or twilight sleep in order to have a surgical procedure performed comfortably.  The sedative medications are administered either orally by pill or through an IV line.  IV sedation is usually preferred due to the ability to precisely control the medications given based on each individual patient’s needs.  This control allows for a more profound sedation than what can typically be achieved orally.  On occasion, a patient will not present with sufficient veins to allow for an IV to be placed.  For these patients, Oral Sedation may be recommended.  Both methods of sedation are extremely safe and effective and patients usually have no recollection of the procedure being performed.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is one of the best options available today for replacing a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth.  An implant is a titanium screw that is gently inserted into the jawbone, acting as a root replacement.  A crown is then placed on the screw to complete the treatment.
Socket Preservation/Bone Graft
When a tooth is removed, a hole is left in the bone.  As the hole heals, a concavity is formed and the gums appear sunken in. Bone grafts placed into the socket immediately after tooth removal will prevent the concavity and ensure that the bone is ready for an implant. In order for an  implant to have the best chance of success, the site where the tooth was removed needs to have sufficient bone height, width, and quality.

Bone grafts are small particles of bone that are placed into a tooth socket and then a membrane is placed on top and stitched into place.  The membrane and stitches will dissolve on their own after a couple of weeks and the socket will usually be ready to receive an implant after approximately 2-4 months of healing.