Oral Surgery in Portland, OR
Tooth Extraction
Of course no one wants to lose a tooth, but sometimes tooth extraction is the best option. If a tooth in severely infected or cannot be restored it may have to be extracted.
Portland dentist Dr. Austria can remove the most difficult teeth and we offer sedation dentistry to help make you comfortable during the procedure. Whether your tooth extraction is simple or a complex, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan that fully addresses any worries that you may have.
We believe that an educated and informed patient has substantially less anxiety about the procedure, and we make sure to include you in the decision making process.
We also offer treatment options including dental implants and dentures to help restore the natural beauty of your smile after your tooth extraction.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (top and bottom), near the entrance to the throat. The term “wisdom” stems from the idea that the molars surface at a time typically associated with increased maturity or “wisdom.”
In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage adjacent teeth, and possibly lead to cysts or tumors.
Dental Bone Grafting
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of bone loss in the oral cavity, though there are others such as ill-fitting dentures and facial trauma. The bone grafting procedure is an excellent way to replace lost bone tissue and encourage natural bone growth.
Bone grafting is a versatile and predictable procedure which fulfills a wide variety of functions. A bone graft may be required to create a stable base for dental implant placement, to halt the progression of gum disease or to make the smile appear more aesthetically pleasing.
Ridge Augmentation
After a tooth is lost, the gums and jawbone can develop an indentation where the tooth once was, making it difficult to replace a tooth for a natural look. Ridge augmentation is a procedure required to replace the natural contour of the gum and jaw, leading to the success of placing dental implants, and other restorations.
Dr. Austria provides simple ridge augmentation to fill in this indentation through a surgical bone grafting procedure where the empty space is replaced with bone and the gums are sutured. After the area has healed, the result can allow for a replacement tooth that is more natural looking and easy to clean.
Sinus Augmentation
A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root which is attached to the jaw bone. Eventually, a replacement tooth or bridge will be firmly fixed to this root, restoring complete function to the tooth. The key to a successful and long-lasting implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached. If bone has been lost due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor to allow for new bone formation.
In the most common sinus augmentation technique, a tiny incision is made near the upper premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone. A small opening is cut into the bone and the membrane lining the sinus on the other side of the opening is gently pushed upward. The underlying space is filled with bone graft material and the incision is closed. The bone which is used for this procedure may be from your own body or from a cadaver. Sometimes the dentist might use synthetic materials which can also stimulate bone formation. The implants are placed after healing has occurred; this will depend on the individual case. Sinus augmentation has been shown to increase the success of dental implant procedures.
Bone Regeneration
Dental implants and other restorative procedures depend on the jawbone being sufficiently strong and thick. When periodontal disease has taken hold, the jawbone may have become too thin to successfully support an implant. Natural bone regeneration (or bone grafting) is one of the best ways to promote growth and thicken the jawbone.
Initially, bone grafting material is obtained from elsewhere on the body or from a bone bank. The gums are gently pulled back, and an opening is made in the jawbone where the grafting material will be packed in tightly. A membrane is used to maintain the shape of the new bone, and tissue stimulating proteins and a platelet-rich growth factor may be applied to promote faster healing. The surgical site will be sutured and packed with protective material. The bone will naturally regenerate and become strong enough to eventually support an implant.
Testimonials
Crown and filling experience went better than I expected. It's normally a painful process for me. Staff is always friendly and easy to deal with. We appreciate that they offer us different options since we don't have dental insurance.
Ilus Ka
Everyone is so nice and friendly. If you’re looking for a new dentist and team, I highly recommend Bethany Dental. I’ve gone in a few times for anual cleanings and some cavity fillings and I’ve left satisfied every time.
Marlyne Rodriguez
The staff was very friendly. Dr. Austria was very friendly and asked me lots of questions and listened to me. He made my appointment easy and stress free. I would recommend going to this office for your dental care.
Marcia Reyes
I just spent a very relaxing (really!) 2.75 hours being prepped for a new crown and having 3 fillings put in. Honestly, except for a slight prick of the numbing needle, the whole procedure was painless. Dr.Austria and his staff were friendly, the atmosphere was calming, and I knew I was in good hands.
Caroline Arnold
They were super friendly and considerate to any pain I was having. The Dr. asked often if I was in any pain, and I didn't even feel the shot like I usually do at my other dentist. They do everything they can to make you comfortable. I definitely recommend going here.
Jordan Harris
I'm in the process of getting a post and crown. Right now I'm healing from my bone graft and every person at this practice continually goes out of their way to make sure I heal well and every thing goes as planned. There was a problem with my bone graft initially and Dr. Austria continues to spend extra time on my mouth to help me keep on healing, at no extra expense to me.
Heather Stevens
Dr. Austria is one of the kindest, most capable, and awesome dentists I’ve ever had. I have a moderate level of anxiety around any dental work that requires local anesthesia, and Dr. Austria did everything he could to put me at ease when I unexpectedly needed numbing. The dental assistants are awesome too, non-judgmental and sweet and supportive. I’m so glad we found Bethany Family Dental.
