Oral Surgery & Periodontics in Salida, CO

When a tooth is severely damaged, decayed, or impacted, extraction may be the best solution to protect your overall oral health. We also offer wisdom teeth extractions to prevent crowding, pain, and infection.

Common reasons for extraction:

• Impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth
• Severe decay or infection
• Orthodontic treatment preparation

An apicoectomy, also known as root-end surgery, is a microsurgical procedure that removes:

• The infected tip of a tooth root (apex).
• Any inflamed tissue or residual infection around the root.

For patients with bone loss in the jaw, bone grafting helps strengthen and rebuild the bone to support dental implants or restore facial structure.

Bone grafting is recommended for:

• Patients preparing for dental implants
• Rebuilding bone lost due to gum disease
• Preserving jaw structure after tooth extraction

An impacted canine is a tooth that:

• Fails to erupt fully through the gumline.
• Remains partially or fully trapped in the jawbone.
• Grows in the wrong direction, leading to crowding or misalignment.

Impacted canines occur most often in the upper jaw and are the second most commonly impacted teeth after wisdom teeth.

Oral pathology is the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaw, and related structures. These conditions can range from benign (harmless) growths to serious concerns like oral cancer.

Regular oral pathology exams help detect:

• Oral cancer & precancerous lesions
• Cysts or tumors in the jaw or soft tissues
• Non-healing sores or ulcers
• Chronic infections & inflammation
• Autoimmune disorders affecting the mouth

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses your body’s natural healing factors to speed up recovery after oral surgery. This technique helps:

• Enhance healing after bone grafting and extractions
• Reduce post-surgical discomfort and swelling
• Promote faster tissue regeneration

When a tooth is severely damaged, decayed, or impacted, extraction may be the best solution to protect your overall oral health. We also offer wisdom teeth extractions to prevent crowding, pain, and infection.

Common reasons for extraction:

• Impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth
• Severe decay or infection
• Orthodontic treatment preparation

Dental implants provide a permanent, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. These titanium posts are surgically placed in the jawbone to serve as strong, stable foundations for crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Benefits of dental implants:

• Restores full function and aesthetics
• Helps prevent bone loss
• Long-lasting and durable

Nobel Biocare is a global leader in implant dentistry, known for:

• High-precision implant design for optimal fit and stability.
• Strong, biocompatible titanium materials for durability.
• Advanced surface technology to promote faster healing and bone integration.
• Versatile implant options for single teeth, bridges, and full-arch restorations.

BlueSkyBio is a trusted, research-backed dental implant system designed to provide:

• Affordable implant solutions without sacrificing quality.
• Biocompatible titanium implants for safe and long-lasting results.
• High-precision designs for optimal fit and stability.
• Customizable options for single, multiple, or full-arch restorations.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a serious infection of the gums that can lead to bone loss, tooth mobility, and even systemic health issues if left untreated.

Gum disease progresses in three stages:

1. Gingivitis – Early-stage gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup. Symptoms include red, swollen gums that bleed easily.
2. Periodontitis – Infection spreads deeper, leading to gum recession and bone loss.
3. Advanced Periodontitis – Severe bone loss causes loose teeth and potential tooth loss.

Bruxism is the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, which can happen:

• During sleep (Sleep Bruxism) – Often linked to stress, anxiety, or sleep disorders.
• During the day (Awake Bruxism) – Can occur due to stress, tension, or habit.

Crown lengthening reshapes gum and bone tissue to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This procedure is often used for:

• Preparing a tooth for a dental crown or filling
• Improving a "gummy" smile for cosmetic reasons
• Treating tooth fractures below the gumline

Gum grafting is used to treat receding gums and restore a healthy gumline. The procedure helps reduce sensitivity, protect tooth roots, and enhance aesthetics.

Signs you may need a gum graft:

• Exposed tooth roots or gum recession
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Uneven gumline affecting your smile

Gum recession happens when gum tissue gradually wears away, exposing more of the tooth and, in some cases, the underlying root structure. Unlike other oral health issues, gum recession does not heal on its own—early treatment is key to preventing further damage and tooth loss.

An oral cancer exam is a quick, painless screening where we check for any unusual sores, lumps, or discoloration in the mouth, throat, and surrounding areas. This exam is included in routine dental checkups at Relaxation Dental, ensuring that any early warning signs don’t go unnoticed.

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment for patients with gum disease. It removes plaque and tartar buildup beneath the gums to help prevent infection and stop disease progression.

Benefits of scaling & root planing:

• Reduces gum inflammation and bleeding
• Helps prevent tooth loss from periodontal disease
• Promotes gum reattachment to teeth

Pocket irrigation is a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque, toxins, and bacteria from the gum pockets using a gentle, pressurized stream of antimicrobial solution.

This treatment is often performed alongside scaling and root planing to:

• Eliminate harmful bacteria hiding below the gumline.
• Flush out loose plaque and debris from deep periodontal pockets.
• Deliver antibacterial medication to reduce infection and inflammation.
• Promote healing and help gums reattach to the teeth.

Prophylaxis is a routine preventive dental cleaning that removes plaque, tartar (calculus), and stains from your teeth. It plays a crucial role in:

• Preventing cavities and gum disease
• Eliminating plaque buildup in hard-to-reach areas
• Keeping your breath fresh and your smile bright

Even if you brush and floss daily, plaque can harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.

Regenerative dentistry focuses on stimulating natural tissue growth to repair damage caused by periodontal disease, trauma, or tooth loss. These procedures can:

• Rebuild bone loss from periodontitis or missing teeth.
• Restore gum tissue that has receded.
• Reduce deep pockets to prevent bacterial infections.
• Strengthen the jaw for dental implants or restorations.

Ridge modification, also known as ridge augmentation, is a bone grafting procedure that reshapes the jawbone after tooth loss, trauma, or periodontal disease.

This procedure:

• Restores lost bone structure, creating a strong base for dental implants.
• Improves the shape of the gums and jawline, enhancing aesthetics.
• Prevents further bone deterioration, protecting surrounding teeth.

Sinus augmentation is a bone grafting procedure that increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw, particularly in the area of the back teeth (molars and premolars).

This procedure is often necessary because:

• The upper jawbone is naturally thinner than the lower jaw.
• Bone loss occurs after tooth extraction or gum disease.
• The sinus cavity expands over time, reducing available bone for implants.

Soft tissue grafting, also known as a gum graft, is a procedure that rebuilds lost gum tissue by transplanting healthy tissue from another area of your mouth or a donor source.

This treatment is essential for:

• Covering exposed tooth roots, reducing sensitivity.
• Preventing further gum recession and bone loss.
• Improving gumline aesthetics, giving you a healthier-looking smile.