Oral Surgery at Brighton Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Wisdom teeth extractions, tooth extractions, and dental implants are the most common oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.

Tooth extraction is the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus (socket) in the alveolar bone. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become unrestorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease or dental trauma, especially when they are associated with a toothache. Sometimes wisdom teeth are impacted (stuck and unable to grow normally into the mouth) and may cause recurrent infections of the gum (pericoronitis). In orthodontics, if the teeth are crowded, sound teeth may be extracted (often bicuspids) to create space so the rest of the teeth can be straightened.

Dental implants are titanium metal cylinders that replace tooth roots. They are placed into the jaw bones where bone grows into them and locks them in place. Dental implants are used very effectively to replace missing teeth. Dental implants may comfortably and permanently replace one or more teeth.