- Dental ExaminationNot all symptoms of an oral condition cause discomfort at early stages. It is important to be proactive and become familiar with the look, feel, and texture of the inside of your mouth so that you notice any sudden changes. Getting regular oral exams from your dentist or oral surgeon is another way to prevent oral diseases from becoming too serious. Below are a few symptoms to look out for during an oral exam...
- Fillings
- CrownsAfter the healing phase is complete, your oral surgeon will attach connecting abutments to your screws (if they were not attached already during your initial procedure). Then, your dentist will be able to attach your crown, bridge, or other permanent tooth attachment. The entire process is a joint effort between you, your oral surgeon, and your dentist.
- Bridges
- Dental Bonding
- Root Canal TreatmentDamaged or decaying teeth can often be restored through dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, root canals, or apicoectomy procedures, but in some cases, the damage is too severe to save the natural tooth. Sometimes extra teeth grow into the mouth, or a healthy tooth becomes impacted or puts surrounding teeth at risk for damage. Extractions are sometimes the only answer in situations like these.
- Apicoectomy
- DenturesGood Oral Hygiene. Caring for your new arch of teeth is easy—simply brush and floss regularly just like with natural teeth. Unlike removable dentures, no adhesives, special rinses, or removable parts are necessary.
- OverdenturesOverdentures that attach to implants give patients a secure hold, allowing them to enjoy a wider variety of their favorite foods while still having a removable option. We offer multiple methods of attachment for our overdentures. Bar-retained dentures are secured to the jaw using a bar that attaches to the dental implant support system. Ball-retained dentures fit over individual ball-shaped studs connected to your dental implants. Locator abutments, magnets, and other attachment methods are also available. Any overdenture option will offer a more secure fit than traditional dentures. The best option for you will depend on your oral health situation.
- Dental ImplantsSinus Lift. A sinus lift or sinus augmentation procedure is often necessary when a patient needs dental implants to replace their upper molars. The maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheeks and above the rear molars. The bony wall that separates the sinus from the mouth is often very thin, making it difficult to place a dental implant without damaging the sinus or causing complications. A sinus lift procedure allows your oral surgeon to place a bone graft beneath the sinus and create adequate space for a dental implant.
- Oral SurgeryWe’ve had a very good working relationship, and any time we refer our patients here, they always come back with good reports. They were cared for properly, the atmosphere is very professional, and they have always been very comfortable. And any future appointments that they may need here, they’ll ask me, “Oh, will I be going to Siouxland Oral Surgery again?” My patients really like their time with Dr. George. He is very entertaining and just makes what would otherwise be a nerve-racking experience for them the most fun and kind of upbeat-type experience that they could have. And for those patients who have the opportunity to work with Dr. Miller, they report back that they really like how knowledgeable he is and how he just really makes them calm because he seems like he’s very on top of his game. We really enjoy the working relationship we have with both the doctors and the staff at Siouxland, so we definitely plan to continue that.
- Jaw SurgeryOral surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders. In some cases, a TMJ disorder can be treated without surgical intervention, but in more severe cases jaw surgery may be able to relieve the discomfort associated with TMJ issues. TMJ disorders can seriously affect your quality of life, so contact one of our offices if you notice any of the above symptoms.
- Pre-prosthetic SurgeryPre-prosthetic surgery refers to any surgical procedure used to prepare your mouth for the placement of dentures or other prosthetic devices. While some patients can receive dentures without the need for pre-prosthetic surgery, some people’s mouths are shaped in such a way that it is impossible to fit a denture comfortably or securely. In these cases, procedures that alter the shape of the bone, gum tissue, or other structures in the mouth can make it possible for patients to receive a denture.
- Maxillofacial SurgeryAt Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Sioux Falls, SD, Mitchell, SD, Yankton, SD, and Brookings, SD, our team works hard to make your experience as comfortable as possible. We also do our best to help you achieve a quick recovery and optimal results; however, your recovery also depends on how you take care of yourself both before and after your procedure. It’s important that you take the right steps before treatment so that your procedure runs smoothly, and it’s equally important to follow certain guidelines after your surgery so you can heal properly.
- Tooth ExtractionsThe 100 Club provides free tooth extractions to patients over the age of 100. Tooth extraction can alleviate discomfort and prevent oral health issues, resulting in a happier and healthier smile.
- Bone GraftingBone grafting is a method of restoring bone that has become diminished or lost over time. When teeth are missing for an extended period of time, the bone surrounding the former tooth site can begin to resorb due to a lack of stimulation from the roots of your tooth. If too much bone loss occurs, sometimes it is not possible to securely or safely place a dental implant to replace your tooth. Bone grafting procedures increase the height, width, or quality of bone available to make it possible for you to receive dental implants.
- OrthodonticsHaving regular dental exams throughout childhood is crucial for preventing impacted teeth. In many cases, if a tooth alignment issue is recognized early, your orthodontist can clear the growth path for the canines using braces and other orthodontics (eliminating the need for surgical intervention). In other cases, irregular growths and other unforeseen issues can require surgical treatment to correct the issue. If it is determined that the canines are impacted, seeking treatment as soon as possible is crucial. If canines are trapped behind the gums for too long, they can become permanently stuck in the bone beneath the gums, making it impossible to expose them and guide them into their natural alignment. In these cases, oral surgeons can use dental implants to replace the impacted teeth.
- BracesOne of the most common methods of treatment for impacted canines is exposure and bonding treatment, which is a joint effort between your oral surgeon and an orthodontist. In most cases, your orthodontist will first clear the growth track of the impacted tooth using braces. Once there is adequate space for the canines to grow in, your oral surgeon can surgically expose the impacted teeth. Your surgeon will clear any growths or baby teeth that are blocking the growth track and attach a small bracket and chain to the newly exposed tooth. This entire procedure is performed under anesthesia so that no pain will be felt during surgery. Once the surgical site is ready for the next phase, your orthodontist will use your braces and the new chain to gently pull the impacted teeth into alignment.
- General DentistryDr. Leet earned his BS in biochemistry from Saint Cloud State University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Minnesota. After dental school, he completed a year-long Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at the Offutt Air Force Base to further his dental expertise. He then completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Minnesota.