We can only imagine what our bodies would look like without bones. This scaffolding provides support, form, and protection to our organs and delicate tissue. The bone around your teeth, called alveolar bone, holds the teeth firmly in place. The particular height, shape, and density of this specialized bone can be compromised due to gum disease, tooth removal, and other forms of trauma. If bone shrinks away from your teeth, it never grows back. In some cases, bone can be encouraged to fill in with grafting materials placed by the doctor. Every situation presents a different scenario, but more options than ever exist to promote bone repair in the jaw. For example, when a tooth needs removal, a large hole then exists in the bone. While it will eventually fill in, the site tends to shrink, drawing bone away from the area jeopardizing surrounding teeth.

Toothaches are a vivid reminder that teeth aren’t just pieces of hard tissue floating around in the gums. They are intricately formed sensory organs with layers of dentin and enamel protecting a living pulp. Coursing through the tooth’s pulp is a vital bundle of nerves and blood vessels providing nutrients and sensation to each tooth. As long as the pulp stays healthy, you’re rarely aware of the systems at work. Tooth pain can be especially alarming, but it’s meant to warn you that something’s not right. Pain tells us that the bundle of nerves and vessels inside your tooth is irritated, damaged, or under attack. A deep cavity can give bacteria access to the inner nerve bundle. In some cases, a significant infection, called an abscess, may develop in your jaw without any symptoms at all. If Dr. David Choi and Dr. Andrew Choi determines that the nerve won’t recover or if an infection is present, then root canal therapy may be suggested.

Despite your best efforts, teeth sometimes need to be removed to protect your health. When we’ve discussed all other possibilities, and you’ve decided on extraction, we’ll take every step to help you. Your well-being always takes priority in any treatment decision. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can review these options in your treatment plan. We take every measure to make sure even minor surgical procedures are as comfortable as possible. Some teeth are removed more easily than others, but the Inland Choice Dental team takes pride in helping every patient get numb with modern anesthesia. Once the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. David Choi and Dr. Andrew Choi use specialized instruments to elevate the tooth out of place. You will receive specific post-op instructions to help you care for the area after your procedure. While our immediate concern is the short-term management of your care, we will also discuss your long-term plans for replacing missing tee