From tooth extractions, to wisdom teeth removal and socket preservation, Dr. Cheng has the equipment and expertise to quickly evaluate the case and help provide various oral surgery procedures needed in office. 

Extractions

Tooth extractions are the most common procedure in oral surgery. Some teeth need to be extracted because they cannot be "saved" for further use in the mouth for a variety of reasons - they may be severely decayed; has suffered advanced periodontal (gum) disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Some teeth may need to be extracted in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Because the removal of a single tooth or multiple teeth can possibly lead to problems related to your chewing ability and speech, as well as create problems with your jaw joint and cause shifting teeth, Dr. Cheng will discuss in detail the various options in the replacement of the the missing tooth (or teeth) prior to the extraction(s).

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Many adults have "wisdom teeth", which are actually third molars that tend to erupt during after the mid to late teenage years. Unfortunately for many teens and adults may need to have these wisdom teeth removed because they are poorly positioned (impacted) in the mouth. In some cases, there may not be enough space; in others, the tooth may be rotated. These impacted teeth can cause severe pain in addition to causing problems to adjacent teeth and gums.

Tooth Socket Preservation

After a tooth or a number of teeth are removed, there is a space left in the bone where the tooth was, known as the socket. Socket preservation is a procedure to reduce bone loss after tooth extraction to preserve the dental alveolus (tooth socket) in the alveolar bone. The socket will shrink over time by itself over time through a process called bone remodeling - the breaking down, rebuilding and reshaping bone;  however, because of the very same bone remodeling process, the entire bone around the extraction site will also remodel and change shape, affecting adjacent gum and teeth as well as aesthetics. Without socket preservation, the bone can quickly resorb, resulting in 30-60% loss in bone volume in the first six months after dental extraction. Dr. Cheng will discuss with you if the socket preservation procedure can benefit your dental treatment.