Restorative

• Fillings
• Crowns
  HOW ARE IMPACTED TEETH UNCOVERED? The procedure for uncovering these teeth requires an incision in the gum, exposing and removing a portion of the bone that is blocking the tooth from coming in.  If indicated, the tooth crown will be etched with acid and a bonded on bracket will be adapted.  This bracket has a chain attached to it that will be used by your orthodontist with elastic traction to pull the tooth into its proper position.
• Bridges
  A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or locator attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist. Dr. Satterfield performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw or hip.
• Dental Bonding

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Patients scheduled to have surgical root canal treatment (apicoectomy/retrograde filling) should be familiar with certain information. If there are further questions please do not hesitate to ask.
• Apicoectomy
  WHEN IS SURGICAL ROOT CANAL TREATMENT (APICOECTOMY/FILLING INDICATED? When conventional root canal treatment fails to keep a tooth healthy and symptom free, then surgical root canal treatment may be indicated to save the tooth.  These are basically three reasons for failure of conventional root canal treatment.  These include the following:  1.  Accessory root canal system (miniature canals that contain necrotic (dead) material that cannot be reached with conventional root canal treatment.  2.  A poor apical seal “leaking”.  3.  A vertical fracture in the root.  The apicoectomy removes the accessory root canal systems that contain necrotic (dead) material.  If there is a poor apical seal, this can be treated with the retrograde MTA.  If there is a vertical fracture in the root, then the tooth becomes non-restorable and must be extracted.

Periodontics

• Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
  Removal of excess gingival (gum) soft tissue (AKA Gingivectomy) *excess and loose soft tissue on the alveolar ridge is surgically removed to improve the stability of the denture. If the underlying tissue (foundational support) is loose, the removable denture and partial will be loose and unstable.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  WHAT IS AN ABNORMAL FRENUM? For the lingual frenum, it usually consists of mucosa (mucous membrane), dense fibrous connective tissue and occasionally superior fibers of the genioglossus muscle.  The attachment binds the tip of the tongue to the posterior (back) surface of the mandible (lower jaw). This attachment can affect speech and reduce the ability of the tongue to aid in oral hygiene.  This condition is called ankyloglossia (tongue tied). Rarely, the frenum may pull the gingiva (gums) away from the teeth.  After loss of teeth, this tongue attachment (frenum) interferes with denture stability, because each time the tongue is moved, the frenal attachment is tensed, and the denture is dislodged. For the labial frenum, either in the maxilla or in the mandible, the dense connective tissue extends to the area between the front teeth causing a space to develop between the upper front teeth or the gum to pull away from the lower front teeth.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  What is it? A by-product of blood that is rich in platelets. New technology permits the doctor to harvest and produce a sufficient quantity of platelets from only 10-20mls of blood drawn from the patient while they are having outpatient oral surgery.
• Jaw Surgery
  Jaw stiffness is expected after jaw surgery and usually begins to improve within 5 to 7 days. Notify us if it does not improve.
• Pre-prosthetic Surgery
  Patients scheduled to have pre-prosthetic surgery should be familiar with basic information.  If there are further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
• Maxillofacial Surgery
  Sirona’s technology extends diagnostic X-ray imaging potential in the fields of implantology, bone grafting, oral/maxillofacial surgery and pathology. The visualization tools available in the software enable practitioners to reduce risk in different treatments, plan surgical interventions, coordinate planning treatment with colleagues and explain treatments to patients with greater clarity and accuracy.
• Tooth Extractions
  Other known benefits: Reduces pain and swelling after surgery, protects the wound site from infection, and decreases the chance of bone pathology and dry socket after dental extractions.
• Bone Grafting
  If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.