Routine exams and cleanings are the building blocks of preventive dental care, but sometimes critical needs arise. Beyond routine General Dentistry services, Surf City Dental also provides a range of in-office surgical procedures.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Don’t let missing or damaged teeth keep you from your best smile. By opting for high-quality dental bridges or crowns, you can regain the look and function of your natural teeth. Surf City Dental can even make and set dental crowns on the same day, giving you a full smile even sooner.

A dental crown is a replacement cover for a severely worn or damaged tooth that covers the original tooth. Unlike a veneer, a crown covers the whole of the original tooth. By covering the damaged tooth, you can avoid pain and sensitivity and restore function of the tooth. Also, crowns are almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.

 

Dental Bridges

It is important to replace any lost teeth as soon as possible, as your surrounding teeth may shift to accommodate the loss, sometimes leading to long-term issues like TMJ.

A dental bridge is a replacement tooth that uses the teeth on either side of the gap as a support. This procedure literally “bridges” the space left by a missing tooth.

 

Dental Implants

For those missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason, a dental implant is the ideal solution for tooth restoration.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed directly into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.

Implants are often more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, but they offer superior benefits:

  • Stronger than natural teeth
  • Generally last 10-20 years
  • Do not rely on neighboring teeth for support

To learn if you are a good candidate for dental implants, call Surf City Dental for a consultation,

 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are the last molars that develop on each side of the jaw. Most people will notice their wisdom teeth starting to come in between the ages of 16 and 20. Some will experience pain or discomfort in the back of their mouth where the wisdom teeth are emerging.

Though some mouths may be able to accommodate these “third molars,” many cannot. When wisdom teeth are threatening oral health and comfort, your dentist will advise extraction.

 

Tooth Extractions

Although our dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still times when a tooth extraction is medically warranted. A tooth may require extraction due to:

  • Severe decay
  • Advanced periodontal disease
  • Infection or abscess
  • Orthodontic correction
  • Mal-positioned teeth
  • Fractured teeth or roots
  • Impacted teeth

After careful examination and treatment, our dentists may advise a tooth extraction. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you to a specialized oral surgeon.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp (soft tissue) inside the root canal becomes inflamed or infected because of untreated cavities or nerve damage due to trauma. This infection can eat away at surrounding bone, and is unable to heal on it’s own. A root canal treatment will clean out infected tooth pulp and disinfect canals of the tooth.

Symptoms that indicate an infection in the pulp of your tooth include:

  • Sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Pain
  • Pressure when biting
  • Bad taste in the mouth

Dr.Parr performs root canal treatment in-office, using local anesthetic; the procedure usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes.

 

Teeth Grinding Solutions

It’s not uncommon for people to grind or clench their teeth occasionally. But more frequent or constant teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can lead to fractured teeth, tooth loss, or noticeably worn teeth.

Teeth grinding often occurs during sleep. A dull, constant headache, or sore jaw in the morning are signs of night-time teeth grinding.

Potential reasons people may grind their teeth include:

  • Stress or anxiety
  • Abnormal bite
  • Missing or crooked teeth
  • Sleep disorder

Mouth Guards: The staff at Surf City Dental can fit patients with mouth guards to stop teeth grinding during sleep. If the cause of teeth grinding is anxiety or stress, we can help you develop a plan to reduce stress and tension. If the underlying cause is a sleep disorder, our staff will make recommendations to appropriate medical specialists.

 

TMJ Disorder Solutions

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint—temporal, as in temple area of the skull, mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw. The TMJ acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull.

Problems in this joint can be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension, creating considerable pain and biting difficulties.

TMJ Symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
  • Clicking or popping of the jaw
  • Pain in the jaw muscles
  • Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

There is no one solution that is right for all cases but in consultation with Dr. Parr, he may recommend the following:

  • Replacing missing teeth
  • Moving teeth
  • Adjusting the bite and filling gaps between teeth

Occasionally a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem.