Dental Conditions - West Central Florida

Impacted teeth are those that haven’t erupted fully through the gums. They can occur with stubborn baby teeth, wisdom teeth, and sometimes permanent adult teeth. There are various reasons why adult teeth can have a difficult time erupting. Among the most common reasons are a higher-than-normal number of teeth in the mouth, obstructive growths, and overcrowding from surrounding teeth. Impacted teeth can cause several problems for the patient starting at an early age.

If these teeth cannot come in fully, the child may have difficulty eating normally, as well as pain and tooth misalignment. In many other cases, symptoms may not appear until an X-ray presents the issue. We can offer a few options to resolve impacted teeth, including working with an orthodontist to guide the tooth to the proper placement. In the case of wisdom teeth, we often recommend extraction.

Commonly known as “wisdom teeth,” third molars typically emerge during the late teenage years or early 20s and can potentially cause various oral health problems. Almost 90% of people have had at least one impacted wisdom tooth, indicating insufficient space for the teeth to erupt into a normal position. Their location in the very back of the mouth makes them hard to clean and, therefore, more prone to decay, infection, gum disease, pain, and even the development of cysts or tumors in the surrounding tissues!

They can also throw neighboring healthy teeth out of alignment. Often, wisdom teeth are located close to nerves, sinus cavities, and other teeth, so you must have a skilled expert remove them if they become impacted. As board-certified dentists, we’re exceptionally qualified to remove your wisdom teeth while maintaining comfort and safety.

Teeth can become broken or infected for several reasons, including trauma and decay. Bacterial buildup due to poor dental hygiene is often the cause of dental infections. Sometimes repairs, medications, or a combination of both enable our doctors to save your tooth. In such cases, we thoroughly evaluate your teeth to determine the treatment best suits your specific issue. When extensive damage or decay, some teeth cannot be rehabilitated through treatment. Though we do our utmost to preserve your natural teeth, extraction may be our only option.

The extraction process for most teeth is pretty straightforward. After making you comfortable with anesthesia, we gently grip the tooth with forceps and carefully pull it loose from the socket. Once removed, unless it’s a wisdom tooth, it should be replaced to restore the function and esthetics of your smile and protect your jaw from deterioration. Dental implants are the best overall tooth replacement option, not just in function and aesthetics but also for long-lasting performance.

Missing teeth can limit your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably, and they may have more profound implications beyond simple chewing function and smile esthetics. Teeth rely on each other for support. When one is missing, the teeth on either side of the gap can shift out of alignment, eventually requiring orthodontic treatment. Further, the absence of tooth roots in the jawbone can cause the jawbone to begin receding, leading to further tooth loss and giving your face an unhealthy, sunken, and even prematurely aged appearance!

Dental implants, recognized as today’s “gold standard” for tooth replacement, can prevent you from experiencing any of those issues. Suppose you follow a tooth extraction or trauma-related tooth loss with dental implant placement. In that case, you can continue eating the foods you love, speak and smile without embarrassment, and even significantly boost your self-confidence. All this can be yours since nothing looks more authentic or lasts longer than our dental implants in West Central Florida. Even if you’ve already begun to suffer bone loss, our board-certified dentists can reverse it through bone grafting before placing your dental implants.

Your jawbone relies on the stimulation of tooth roots and the regular sensation of chewing to keep it healthy. The bone can deteriorate with tooth loss unless those missing teeth are replaced quickly. This bone loss has many short-term and long-term consequences. You can lose more teeth through a “domino effect” of tooth loss. Your facial features can sink, and an aged, unhealthy look can replace your distinctive appearance you won’t want or even recognize.

Treating loose dentures typically involves adjustments and enhancements to improve their fit and function. Denture adhesive can provide temporary relief by enhancing stability, but a more permanent solution often requires professional intervention. We may adjust the dentures’ fit by adding or reshaping the acrylic base or changing the clasps for better retention.

In some cases, denture relining or rebasing may be necessary to ensure a snug fit against the gums. For individuals experiencing severe looseness or discomfort, implant-supported dentures offer a long-term solution by anchoring the dentures securely to dental implants in the jawbone.

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and various health issues. These interruptions, known as apneas, occur when the muscles in the throat relax too much or when there is a blockage in the airway, causing a temporary pause in breathing.

This disorder can contribute to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and increased risk of conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Our practice treats sleep apnea using custom-fitted oral appliances designed to keep the airway open by repositioning the jaw and tongue. These appliances are comfortable, easy to wear, and effective for mild to moderate cases, offering patients a non-invasive solution for better sleep and improved overall health.

We provide expert care for patients experiencing facial trauma, addressing injuries that range from fractures of the jaw and cheekbones to dental injuries and soft tissue wounds. With a team skilled in oral and maxillofacial surgery, we offer precise, individualized treatment to restore both function and appearance, working closely with each patient to ensure comprehensive care.

Our surgeons use advanced imaging and state-of-the-art surgical techniques to assess and repair complex injuries, minimizing scarring and promoting optimal healing. We also prioritize patient comfort and recovery, offering sedation options to help manage pain and anxiety. Whether the trauma results from an accident, sports injury, or other cause, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes and supporting patients through every stage of their recovery.

We treat impacted canines, a common dental issue where one or both upper canine teeth fail to emerge properly. Impacted canines can lead to alignment issues and discomfort and may affect surrounding teeth. Our approach typically combines orthodontics and minor oral surgery to gently guide the impacted teeth into their correct positions. First, an orthodontist may use braces to create space in the dental arch.

Then, our oral surgeon performs a minor procedure to expose the impacted canine, attaching a small bracket and chain to help guide it into place. This collaborative approach ensures a comfortable and efficient treatment process, helping patients achieve a healthy, well-aligned smile. We prioritize patient comfort throughout, offering sedation options to reduce anxiety and create a positive treatment experience.

We offer comprehensive treatment options for jaw pain, whether caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, teeth grinding (bruxism), arthritis, or injury. We begin with a thorough examination to pinpoint the underlying cause of the pain and assess the jaw’s structure and movement. Treatment plans are customized and may include conservative therapies, such as physical therapy exercises, custom-fitted nightguards to reduce grinding, and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain.

We offer Botox® injections administered by certified professionals for TMJ-related pain, which relax the jaw muscles and reduce tension. We may explore surgical options to correct joint issues in more complex cases. Our goal is to provide effective, lasting relief and improve jaw function, ensuring our patients’ comfortable, pain-free quality of life.