If a root canal is performed and the tooth becomes infected again, a second root canal may be considered. If a second root canal cannot be performed, your dentist may recommend a treatment known as an apicoectomy. During this surgery, the root tip is removed along with any infected tissue. A filling is then used to seal the tip of the root. Dr. Jay Valiyaparambil, DMD perform this restorative treatment for patients at their office in Chandler, AZ. A successful apicoectomy can prevent the need for tooth extraction. At Ocotillo Lakes Dental Health, we offer comprehensive dental services.

Benefits of Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is often performed when retreatment of an infected tooth would require cutting a crown or bridge. Retreatment could risk destroying or weakening the prosthetic, meaning an apicoectomy often saves patients the time, money, and hassle of manufacturing a new prosthetic.

Because the procedure is restorative, many dental insurance policies cover part of all of the costs. Patients who undergo apicoectomy at our dental practice can benefit from:

• A very high success rate of more than 90 percent
• The removal of harmful infected tissue
• The prevention of further serious health problems
• Relief of tooth pain
• Restoration of oral health and chewing function
• Sedation options to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure
• The use of 3-D cone beam computed tomography to plan a precise and effective treatment

If you have undergone a root canal and still experience discomfort or other signs of infection, our dentists can determine if you are a candidate for an apicoectomy.

Am I a Candidate?

Candidates for apicoectomy are unable to undergo root canal therapy to address an infection. Patients who require apicoectomy surgery are often experiencing oral pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, gum swelling, and tooth discoloration. A recurring root canal infection can return weeks or even months after the initial root canal treatment. During your visit to either of our dental offices, one of our doctors will determine if you are a good candidate for an apicoectomy.

A Look at the Procedure

This straightforward oral surgery procedure is performed using local anesthesia. Our dental offices can provide nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation options to help patients feel more comfortable throughout their treatment. The procedure begins when one of our doctors makes a small incision in your gum tissue to access your tooth root. Any infected tissue will be removed, and your doctor will clean and seal the root canal using special instruments. Your gum tissue will then be sutured back in place. This treatment typically takes 30 to 90 minutes to perform. Our doctors recommend eating a soft diet for the first few days following the procedure. Any side effects, such as swelling or discomfort, should subside within a week.

After we lose teeth, our jawbones often deteriorate. While this can have a frustrating impact on one’s appearance, it presents a much more serious obstacle to restorative solutions like dental implants, which require a strong and stable jawbone as a foundation. Fortunately, a dental bone graft procedure at Ocotillo Lakes Dental Health in Chandler, AZ, can add volume to the jawbone and help improve candidacy for dental implants in the future.

When Is a Bone Graft Necessary?

There are several situations in which a bone grafting procedure may be recommended. Some of the most common of these include:

• Supporting bone growth after extraction: It is quite common for dentists to place a bone graft in a tooth socket immediately after extraction. Not only does this help prevent the bone ridge from caving in, but it also keeps restorative options open. In other words, if a patient has a tooth removed and later decides to replace it with an implant, the foundation will be strong enough to support this change.
• Advanced periodontal disease: Bone grafts can also be placed to save teeth affected by gum disease. The infection caused by periodontal disease erodes the supporting bone. A bone graft can stabilize the teeth and reduce the risk of further tooth loss.
• Prolonged tooth loss: Following tooth loss, the jawbone begins to slowly deteriorate. This process continues gradually over the years. For this reason, many individuals who have been missing teeth for a long time require bone grafting prior to dental implant placement.

What to Expect during a Bone Grafting Procedure

At our practice, we value the impact that the latest technology can have on a successful outcome. That is why we utilize a 3-D cone beam scanner to assess the jawbone during your initial consultation and treatment planning. This can not only help us identify whether a grafting surgery is necessary, but also where your jawbone will most benefit from treatment.

The surgery itself can be performed under local anesthesia, although we also offer nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation if necessary. Once you are comfortable, your doctor will create a small incision in the gums to access the bone underneath. Next, bone grafting material is affixed to the bone. Finally, a membrane is placed over the graft to keep it stable, the gums are repositioned, and the incisions are closed with stitches.

Recovery and Implant Placement

Most patients will need about three months to heal from surgery. A full recovery may take longer, depending on the size of the bone graft. During this time, your body will develop and deposit new bone cells in the treated area.

To monitor your healing, your doctor will schedule a check-up every few weeks. If the jawbone has completely recovered and triggered substantial bone growth, we can schedule you for your dental implant surgery.

Tooth loss, no matter how or why it occurs, can be quite unpleasant. It’s critical to choose a suitable replacement as soon as possible for your dental and general health. Dental implants are normally recommended for patients who are in good oral and overall health. Continue reading to learn more about this all-encompassing tooth replacement alternative, including how it works and whether you’re a good candidate.

Traditional tooth replacement options only restore the portions of teeth that are visible when patients smile, but these restorations do not fully renew oral health as they don’t replace the supportive underlying root structures.

Dental implants are an excellent alternative for long-term tooth replacement. Dental implants, unlike dentures, last a lifetime and look and feel just like natural teeth. Nobody will be able to distinguish between a natural tooth and a dental implant. Dental implants will enhance your appearance, comfort, and self-confidence!

At Ocotillo Lakes Dental Health, we offer implant placement and restoration in our comfortable Chandler, AZ dental practice.

If you are a good candidate for dental implants, your dentist at Ocotillo Lakes Dental Health is eager to get started as soon as possible. Contact us to find out more or schedule a dental implant consultation.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small posts that resemble a screw. They are inserted into the gum line where they mimic the natural function of the lost tooth roots. Once implants are surgically placed, they fuse with the gums and jawbone, recreating the lost tooth roots. Abutments are attached to the implant post in order to affix the replacement tooth or teeth. When in place, your replacement teeth will look and feel just like your healthy, natural smile. You can also expect many long-term oral health benefits that you won’t find with other tooth replacement options, making them a highly recommended and sought-after procedure.

The Dental Implant Process

• Consultation – During a consultation, Dr. Jay will look at every aspect of your oral and overall health to make sure implants are right for you.
• Preliminary procedures – In some cases, separate treatment is needed beforehand (e.g. gum disease therapy, a bone graft, or extractions).
• Implant placement – For convenience and continuity of care, Dr. Jay will perform your implant surgery right here in our office. It usually takes 1-2 hours per implant, during which she’ll make your comfort a top priority from start to finish.
• Osseointegration – Implants generally take 3-6 months to osseointegrate, or fuse, with the surrounding jawbone. Exceptions to this are All-On-4 or Teeth-In-a-Day cases, in which implants are placed and restored on the same day.
• Restoration – The last step is having your implant restored with either a single dental crown, bridge, or a denture.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Dental implants are ideal for almost every age and nearly all levels of tooth loss. Whether you’ve been missing teeth for years or you recently had one extracted, chances are dental implants can completely change your life!

Missing One Tooth

Once the dental implant has fused with the supportive tissues, we are able to attach tooth replacement prosthetics. An individual missing tooth is replaced with a single implant connected to a dental crown.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Two consecutive teeth are typically replaced with two connected crowns affixed to one implant. Patients missing three to four consecutive missing teeth will need a fixed bridge supported at either end by a dental implant post. Because of this, there’s no need to modify existing enamel of neighboring teeth just to receive a replacement.

Missing All Teeth

Patients with more extensive tooth loss need an implant denture. Like their traditional counterparts, dentures replace numerous teeth along a single arch or a full row of teeth. We use the minimum number of implant posts that will still effectively support teeth. Usually, dentures can be supported by four to eight strategically positioned dental implant posts. We offer both fixed and removable full dentures depending on patient preference.

In the past, patients with significant tooth loss who lacked jawbone density needed to undergo time-consuming bone grafting procedures prior to receiving tooth replacement via dental implants. Additionally, patients with significant tooth loss often needed to wait weeks or months before receiving a prosthetic. At Ocotillo Lakes Dental Health, we offer a solution by performing the All-on-4 procedure. This implant tooth replacement allows our team to place fewer implant posts and offer patients a dental prosthetic on the same day implants are placed. Using just four dental implants, this treatment option requires less jawbone density to provide the same amount of support.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Dental implants provide countless benefits that other options don’t, including superior strength and stability, more self-confidence, and longevity – just to name a few. However, we understand that many additional factors go into your decision to get dental implants. For many patients, cost is one of the biggest considerations. Below, you’ll get an idea of what determines the final figure, but if you’d like an estimate that’s tailored just for you, contact us to schedule a consultation!

Dental Implant Salvage

Here at Ocotillo Lakes Dental Health, our priority is to make sure your dental implant process is a success. While the failure rate for the procedure is very low, you might still end up losing the implant post if the underlying bone becomes injured or infected. If you notice the signs of implant failure (radiating pain around the post, red or inflamed gums, difficulty chewing, and so on), call us right away so that we can take an X-ray of your mouth and figure out the problem. Ideally, once we’ve treated the problem, you should be able to safely have implant placement performed again. 

Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD, can take a serious toll on your daily life with symptoms ranging from mild jaw pain and stiffness to severe headaches and difficulty eating. Dr. Jay Valiyaparambil, DMD offer personalized TMJ treatment at their offices in Chandler, AZ. After evaluating your condition, our doctors can provide oral appliance therapy to alleviate pain and protect your smile.

What is TMJ Disorder?

According to the TMJ Association Ltd., approximately 12 percent of Americans, or 35 million people, suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder. Two of the most commonly used joints in the body, the temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull. These joints act like a hinge and are used when you speak, chew, or yawn. TMJ disorder can result when joints become inflamed or damaged due to excessive wear, or when they become displaced. This disorder can also develop because of trauma, misalignment, or bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).

If left untreated, TMD can have long-term effects that impact your quality of life, including:

• Pain in the teeth, face, jaw, or neck
• Stiffness in the jaw muscles
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking when opening or closing the mouth
• A change in the way upper and lower teeth align
• Ear pain or popping
• Headaches
• Difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing
• Trouble breathing

Addressing your symptoms can preserve the structure of your smile and alleviate discomfort.

Exploring Your Options

During your initial consultation, Dr. Jay Valiyaparambil, DMD can assess the severity of your symptoms and check for swelling or irregularities. He can also provide you with a survey to complete at home. Your answers can help us accurately diagnose your condition and target the underlying cause. We aim to provide simple, conservative treatment before exploring more invasive options such as oral surgery.

Our Treatments

Although there is no cure for TMJ disorder, effective treatment can minimize pain and lower your risk of long-term complications.

Hard and Soft Guards

Our mouth guards are fabricated in a Medicare-certified laboratory that also produces our sleep apnea oral appliances. These custom-made devices fit over the upper and lower teeth and prevent teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

Although there is no cure for TMJ disorder, effective treatment can minimize pain and lower your risk of long-term complications.

A soft night guard is more flexible and more comfortable than a hard night guard, however it can wear down more quickly. This option is better suited to patients with mild to moderate bruxism. More severe cases of grinding and clenching may require a hard night guard. This device is composed of an acrylic-like material. Its harder composition makes this appliance more durable but also less malleable.

Invisalign

In some cases, TMD can be caused by crooked teeth, misaligned teeth, or gaps in your smile. If this is the case, we may be able to alleviate your symptoms with Invisalign® treatment. Invisalign gradually straightens your teeth and is suitable for most cases of misalignment.

Surgical Intervention

While we will always attempt to correct your issues with non-invasive treatment, surgery may be the best way to address severe TMD. Should this be the case, our doctors can refer you to a specialist and coordinate your treatment.