Advanced Oral & Facial Surgery of the Triad

Investing in Your Smile: Why Dental Implants Are Worth It 

Tooth loss affects more than just your smile and appearance—it can interfere with eating, speaking, your dental health and overall long-term health. If your dentist has recommended dental implants, it’s natural to have questions about the cost. While it’s true that implants require an upfront initial investment, they offer unmatched long-term benefits. A dental implant is more than just a tooth replacement; it’s a long-term solution that protects your jawbone and preserves your facial esthetics. 

What Determines the Cost of Dental Implants? 

The cost of dental implants varies based on several factors, including: 

• Number of Implants Needed: Replacing a single tooth costs less than a full-arch restoration. 

• Tooth Location: The position and angle of the missing tooth can influence surgical complexity. 

• Bone Density: If bone grafting is required to prepare your jawbone for dental implants, it adds to the cost. 

• Additional Procedures: Extractions, periodontal treatments, or sinus lifts are all related services that can impact pricing. 

• Type of Implant & Crown: Material quality and the design customization of your dental prosthesis affect the overall expense. 

• Experience of the Surgeon: Highly skilled specialists may charge more for their expertise. 

• Sedation or Anesthesia: The level of anesthesia or sedation you choose for your comfort influences the final price. 

• Follow-Up Care: Post-operative visits and necessary adjustments can contribute to the total cost. 

Additional Costs: Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts 

For patients with insufficient bone density, preparatory procedures like bone grafting or sinus lifts may be necessary to create a stable foundation for implants. Ensuring a strong jawbone before implant placement is key to long-term success. A bone graft may add to the upfront cost, but it significantly improves the implant’s longevity. 

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost? 

While costs vary, here’s a general breakdown: 

• Single tooth implant: $1,500–$6,000 

• Full-arch dental implants: $25,000–$30,000 per arch 

• Full-mouth implants: $30,000–$60,000+ 

Costs depend on a variety of factors as highlighted above, including case complexity, materials used, and additional procedures required. 

Are Dental Implants More Affordable Than Other Options? 

Although implants may seem costly upfront, they often save money in the long run: 

• Longevity: Implants can last a lifetime, while bridges and dentures often require replacement. 

• Jawbone Preservation: Unlike dentures, implants preserve bone volume, which can help to prevent facial profile changes. 

• Oral Health Benefits: Implants don’t compromise adjacent healthy teeth like bridges can. 

• Improved Functionality: Enjoy eating and speaking without discomfort or slipping dentures. 

Financing and Insurance Coverage for Dental Implants 

Many patients are surprised to learn there are ways to make implants more affordable: 

• Dental Insurance: Some plans now cover part of the procedure—check with your provider. 

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): These tax-free savings options can help offset costs. 

• Payment Plans & Financing: Many oral surgery practices offer low-interest or extended payment plans. 

Why Choose an Oral Surgeon for Dental Implants? 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have advanced training in implant placement, bone grafting, and complex oral surgical procedures. Their expertise ensures optimal results and long-term success. 

If you’re considering dental implants, schedule a consultation with our team at Advanced Oral and Facial Surgery of the Triad. We’ll guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you achieve a smile that lasts a lifetime. 

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of adult teeth to emerge, typically appearing in the late teens or early twenties. Because of their size and location at the back of the jaw, they often create complications. Many people’s mouths do not have enough space to accommodate them, leading to impaction, pain, infection, and other dental issues. 

Wisdom teeth removal isn’t always necessary, but when they grow in at an angle, remain impacted, or create hygiene challenges that lead to decay and gum disease, extraction is the best course of action to maintain long-term oral health. If extraction is necessary, an oral surgeon is typically the best-qualified professional to perform the procedure, as wisdom teeth removal can be more complex than a standard tooth extraction.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed? 

There is no hard and fast rule for when wisdom teeth should be removed, but there are benefits to removing wisdom teeth before they cause issues. In some cases, wisdom teeth erupt properly, align well with other teeth, and do not cause pain or oral health issues. However, many people experience overcrowding, which can cause wisdom teeth to come in at an angle, press against neighboring teeth, or remain partially or fully trapped within the jawbone. By monitoring wisdom tooth development early, we can intervene before they cause pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.

Common issues related to wisdom teeth include: 

• Impaction: When a wisdom tooth does not fully emerge, it can press against adjacent teeth, causing discomfort and pressure. 

• Infection: Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create pockets where bacteria thrive, leading to gum infections and swelling. 

• Damage to Nearby Teeth: If wisdom teeth crowd or push against other molars, they can increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, and adjacent tooth root damage. 

• Pathology: Occasionally, wisdom teeth can be associated with cysts and tumors, some of which can grow large enough to weaken the jaw bones. 

Why See an Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Tooth Removal? 

While general dentists can perform extractions, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have specialized training in wisdom tooth removal, particularly for impacted or complex cases. 

 Here’s why an oral surgeon is the best choice for this procedure:

Managing Complex Cases

Wisdom tooth extraction is more than just pulling a tooth. It can involve cutting into the gums and even removing bone to access the tooth. If there are complications, such as nerve involvement, sinus communications, or infection, an oral surgeon has the expertise to handle them effectively and safely. 

Reduced Risk of Complications

Oral surgeons are trained to manage and minimize complications, using advanced surgical techniques and monitoring equipment to ensure patient safety. Their expertise helps promote a smoother procedure and recovery. Choosing an experienced oral surgeon significantly reduces the risk of complications and ensures patients receive the highest level of care. 

 Advanced Anesthesia Options

Unlike most general dentists, oral surgeons can provide a range of anesthesia options, including IV sedation and general anesthesia, ensuring a more comfortable and stress-free experience. This is particularly beneficial for patients with dental anxiety or those needing multiple teeth removed.

What to Expect During Wisdom Tooth Extraction 

If your oral surgeon recommends wisdom tooth removal, they will provide pre-surgery instructions to ensure a smooth procedure. These typically include: 

• Fasting the evening before the procedure if IV sedation or general anesthesia will be used.

• Disclosing any medications or allergies to your surgeon.

• Arranging for someone to drive you home after surgery.

After the procedure, proper aftercare is essential for a quick recovery. Post-operative tips include: 

• Follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions: Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed and avoid certain foods and activities. 

• Use ice packs to reduce swelling: Apply ice in 20-minute intervals during the first48-72 hours. 

• Rest and stay hydrated: Avoid using straws to prevent dry socket, a painful condition that can occur if the blood clot dislodges. 

• Watch for signs of complications: If you experience severe pain, excessive swelling, or fever, contact your oral surgeon promptly. 

Schedule Your Wisdom Tooth Consultation Today 

Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine procedure that significantly improves oral health and prevents future issues. With the right care, recovery is typically smooth, and patients can return to normal activities within a few days. 

 If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, or discomfort from wisdom teeth, contact Advanced Oral & Facial Surgery of the Triad today to schedule a consultation. Our team is here to provide expert care and guide you through every step of the process. 

This was a nice posterior maxillary (upper jaw) implant case done by Dr. Biggerstaff. This involved a 67 year old woman who had fractured tooth #13 (upper left maxillary second premolar).  Her dentist extracted the residual root and the socket was not bone grafted at the time (usually most sockets are bone grafted if a dental implant is planned for later).  The patient saw Dr. Biggerstaff for a consultation to have a dental implant replace the tooth.  The socket was allowed to heal, and after a few months, an implant was placed in the site.  Following a period of healing, or osseointegration, the implant was restored with a crown.  The patient now has a nice aesthetic and functional dental implant and crown to replace her missing tooth.  Image #1 shows the preoperative state with the fractured root of tooth #13 still in place.  Image #2 is a coronal slice of the patient’s initial cone beam CT scan (CBCT) showing the tooth socket.  Image #3 is a sagittal slice of the patient’s initial CBCT showing the tooth socket. Image #4 shows the implant in place on a coronal slice of the patient’s postoperative CBCT. Image #5 shows the implant in place on a sagittal slice of the patient’s postoperative CBCT. Image #6 shows the implant at the time of the crown impression. Image #7 shows the implant with the crown cemented into place.  Image #8 is a preoperative and final comparison.

This was a nice case that was done by Dr. Biggerstaff and involved a deeply impacted permanent canine tooth.  The patient was referred for exposure and bracketing of an impacted canine – tooth #11 (permanent left maxillary canine) – by her orthodontist when she was 13 years old.  The canine was very high in the upper jaw, and without intervention, would not have been able to erupt into the mouth and become functional.  The patient also had a retained tooth #H (primary left maxillary canine).  Once the braces were placed by the orthodontist, the surgery was then scheduled.  Her surgery involved removing the retained primary canine, exposing the permanent canine, and attaching a gold bracket and chain to the permanent canine so that it could slowly, over months, be pulled into the dental arch in order to become functional.  Usually the gold chain is attached to the arch wire of the patient’s braces about 1-2 weeks following their surgery.  Images #1, 2, and 3 show the preoperative and final radiographs.  One can see that the permanent canine was very high in the jaw bone, almost to the level of the nose.  Image #4 shows the patient at the conclusion of her orthodontic course after her braces have been removed.

This case done by Dr. Wes Parker illustrates why it’s a good idea to have your third molars (wisdom teeth) evaluated by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and possibly removed.  This was a 61 year old female who presented with pain and pericoronitis (a soft tissue infection commonly associated with wisdom teeth). She had an impacted tooth #32 (lower right third molar/wisdom tooth). She had 8 mm (deep) periodontal/gum pockets with bleeding on probing on the distal aspect of tooth #31. Her dentist as a teenager told her that she should not have her wisdom teeth removed. For the past 30 years, she reported periodic swelling and discomfort from the #32 area.  She was referred to Dr. Parker by her new general dentist in 2019.

The Panoramic Radiograph Results:

Her preoperative, panoramic radiograph showed a deeply impacted, distoangular tooth #32 with a well-defined, radiolucent (dark) lesion associated with the crown. The root apices of the tooth were in close proximity to the right inferior alveolar nerve and the inferior border of the mandible (lower jaw). We discussed doing an excisional biopsy of the lesion and a coronectomy of the tooth instead of an extraction in this case to both treat/remove the lesion and minimize the risk of nerve damage and a fracture of her mandible. A coronectomy procedure involves removing the crown and pulp contents of a noninfected, usually deeply impacted, wisdom tooth in order to minimize risk to the jaw and the nerve that provides sensation to the lower lip and chin.  The roots are left in place during this procedure.  This is in contrast to a standard extraction in which the entire tooth, crown and roots, are removed.  Image #1 shows the patient’s preoperati

ve panoramic radiograph. Image #2 shows a coronal slice from her preoperative CBCT. Note the volume that the third molar occupies within her mandible, her thin bony cortices, and the proximity of the roots to both the right inferior alveolar nerve (lingual to roots) and the mandibular inferior border. Image #3 shows a one week po

The Biopsy Reveal:

At this time, the biopsy was revealed to be an infected dentigerous cyst. Dentigerous cysts are common, benign cysts that form around impacted teeth, most often third molars/wisdom teeth.  If not removed, they can become quite large and destroy bone, and/or become secondarily infected.  Image #4 shows a three month postoperative PA. Image #5 shows a six month postoperative PA. Note the radiographic bone fill in the area of the previous crown and lesion. The radiographs show some initial slight coronal (upward) migration of the root complex, which subsequently ceased.  She is currently pain free, infection free, and has no periodontal probing depths greater than 2 mm on the distal of tooth #31. She is very happy and was gracious enough to allow us to share her case.

It amazes us how well people can heal sometimes.  This case, done by Dr. Wes Parker, involved a 45 year old male who was referred for a carious, necrotic (dead) tooth #14 (upper left first molar).  The patient also reported left sided sinus pressure and drainage. At his consultation, we obtained a Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scan. On his CBCT, you could see where the infection and inflammation from tooth #14 had eroded through the floor of the left maxillary sinus. We discussed this with him and scheduled surgery shortly after the consultation.  Dr. Parker removed tooth #14, cleaned out the pus and inflamed maxillary sinus lining through the socket. The inflamed, thickened sinus lining went almost up to the orbit (eye socket).  Dr. Parker then closed off the sinus communication.  Following this, Dr. Parker placed a bone graft over the sinus closure, and then sutured over that to close the wound.  The patient healed very well. He was compliant with the sinus precautions and medications that were prescribed.  Next, Dr. Parker proceeded with implant placement in the #14 site with a simultaneous indirect sinus lift or “sinus bump.” The implant placement surgery went well, and after about 5 months of healing time, the patient received a crown on the implant from his dentist.  Image #1 is a preoperative PA radiograph of the carious, necrotic, nonrestorable tooth #14 (upper left first molar). Image #2 is a coronal slice from the patient’s preoperative CBCT showing the necrotic tooth #14 with a periapical radiolucency and maxillary sinus inflammation stemming from the necrotic tooth. Image #3 is a sagittal slice from the patient’s preoperative CBCT showing the necrotic tooth #14 with a periapical radiolucency and maxillary sinus inflammation stemming from the necrotic tooth. Image #4 is a sagittal CBCT slice from the patient’s post extraction CBCT showing resolution of the sinus inflammation and measurements for the future dental implant. Image #5 is an immediate postoperative PA of the implant in the #14 site following implant placement with a simultaneous indirect sinus lift. Image #6 is a 5 month postoperative PA showing the healed, integrated implant prior to crown placement with a healed sinus lift bone graft above it and no sinus inflammation.