Dental surgery
Lihue Dental performs dental surgeries of all kinds. Our team is sympathetic to patient fears around dental surgery. We are here to answer any and all questions you may have. You are in very good hands with our entire staff.
We specialize in dental surgeries
Root canals and endodontics
Root canal treatment is suggested when the pulp (soft tissue inside teeth that contain nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels) becomes diseased or swollen.
This treatment requires us to first remove the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canals of the tooth are then debrided, cleaned and sealed. If the infected pulp is not removed, increased inflammation and pain can result. Left untreated, infected pulp can compromise a tooth to the point where it requires extraction.
Root canals have a reputation for being scary and painful, but this is largely undeserved. We’ll walk you through the procedure – it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds.
Dental implants
Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution for missing teeth. They form a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy and strong. Implants work by supporting individual replacement teeth. They can also be used to secure specialized dentures in place.
Unlike most bridges, dental implants can last a lifetime and are attractive, stable, and comfortable for most patients. Caring for dental implants is easy. Just treat them like your normal teeth; after all, they’re permanent additions to your smile. Best of all, implants blend well with your natural teeth, meaning you can smile with confidence.
Tooth extractions
The prospect of removing a tooth can sound scary and painful. Thankfully, the reality for most does not live up to the hype. In fact, tooth extraction is relatively quick and painless with modern anesthetics and techniques.
Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have cracked in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
Know that while tooth extraction is sometimes unavoidable, it is rarely our first option and is always carefully considered.
Periodontal surgery
Periodontal surgery is used to repair abnormalities in the periodontium, which is a complex structure made up of the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. In other words, everything that connects your teeth to your jawbone.
Most often associated with treating periodontal (gum) disease, periodontal surgery also many other applications ranging from protecting your gums to the purely cosmetic. For example, we use periodontal surgery to treat “gummy” smiles (in which the gums extend far over the surface of teeth), uneven gum lines, exposed roots, and receding gums.
