Oral Surgery in Denver, CO

At Donald Rice, DDS, we know how frustrating it can be to bounce between multiple providers for your dental care. We offer comprehensive services under one roof, so you get the quality treatment you need without the added hassle. Our compassionate, patient-centered approach ensures that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their individual needs. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a complex surgical procedure, we want you to feel comfortable and confident in our care. For more extensive needs, our oral surgery services play an important role in maintaining your oral health. These surgical procedures address a wide range of dental issues, such as severely decayed teeth, advanced gum disease, and tooth loss.

Issues We Can Address With Oral Surgery

The goal of oral surgery is to improve your oral health, protect your general health, and enhance your overall quality of life. Our skilled team addresses a variety of issues through surgical procedures tailored to your specific needs. This includes removing damaged or decayed teeth, placing dental implants to replace missing teeth, and performing bone grafts or sinus lifts to strengthen the jaw. For patients needing a complete restoration, we also provide full-mouth reconstruction.

We are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care that addresses your complex dental needs and helps you achieve optimal oral health.

Common Oral Surgery Procedures

Extractions

Tooth extraction is the most common form of oral surgery. It’s typically needed when a tooth is too damaged by decay, trauma, or infection to be restored with treatments like fillings or root canals. If an extraction is necessary, we’ll begin by numbing the area with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

Using specialized instruments, Dr. Rice will gently loosen and remove the tooth from its socket. In cases where the tooth is broken or doesn’t come out easily, a more involved surgical extraction may be required. After the procedure, we’ll give you clear aftercare instructions to help manage any discomfort, reduce swelling, and promote a smooth recovery.

While we offer a wide range of services in our office, your health and safety always come first. If you have impacted teeth (common with wisdom teeth), we’ll refer you to a trusted specialist to make sure you receive the expert care your situation requires.

Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a long-lasting solution for replacing teeth lost to decay, injury, or gum disease. During the procedure, Dr. Rice carefully places a small titanium post into the jawbone. This post acts as an artificial tooth root. As the area heals, the implant naturally bonds with the bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a strong foundation for a dental crown. For patients missing multiple teeth, Dr. Rice can place several implants to support bridges or dentures. This approach restores the look and function of your smile, providing a reliable and durable option for tooth replacement.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants offer many of the same benefits as traditional implants, but with a much less invasive approach. Because they are narrower, the procedure requires only a small opening in the gum to access the jawbone. This gentle approach translates to less healing time and quicker tooth replacement.

In fact, the process is so much simpler and more comfortable that calling it an oral surgery is a bit of a misnomer. Many patients tell us that the procedure was far easier than they expected.

This makes mini implants a great choice for patients who want to avoid lengthy recovery or complex treatments. They are especially effective for stabilizing dentures and are often ideal for patients with bone loss who may not be eligible for traditional implants.

Bone Grafts and Sinus Lifts

Healthy bone is essential for successful dental implants. If you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw due to missing teeth, gum disease, or aging, you may need a bone graft or sinus lift to create a stable foundation for implants. These procedures help restore lost bone structure and make it possible to place implants securely.

For a bone graft, Dr. Rice places bone material in areas of the jaw where the bone is too thin or soft to support an implant. Over time, this material integrates with your natural bone, strengthening the area.

A sinus lift, on the other hand, is used when the upper back jaw lacks height or the sinuses are too close to the jawbone. In this procedure, Dr. Rice gently raises the sinus membrane and adds bone beneath it to create enough space and support for implants.

Each procedure is carefully planned to be safe, effective, and as comfortable as possible for you. Dr. Rice will carefully evaluate your needs with digital imaging and develop a treatment plan to help ensure the best possible outcome.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction

If you’re dealing with multiple oral health issues, such as damaged teeth, missing teeth, bite problems, or jaw discomfort, full-mouth reconstruction may be the right solution. This comprehensive treatment approach combines restorative and surgical procedures to rebuild your smile and restore full function.

Dr. Rice designs each reconstruction plan based on your specific needs and goals. Treatment may involve a combination of extractions, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, bone grafting, or other procedures. The goal is to restore proper chewing, speech, and oral health. And with today’s lifelike materials, we can also enhance the overall appearance of your smile.

Full-mouth reconstruction can be life-changing, especially for patients who have struggled with long-term dental problems. Dr. Rice will guide you through each step of the process, making sure your care is personalized, comfortable, and results in a healthy, confident smile.

The Oral Surgery Process

Our oral surgery process begins with a thorough consultation. During this discussion, we’ll review your dental history, address any concerns, and provide a second opinion if needed. This step ensures you have all the information to make an informed decision about your treatment.

Next, we take detailed X-rays to assess the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Using these images, we create a personalized treatment plan tailored to ensure the best possible outcome..

Before your surgery, we’ll provide detailed instructions on how to prepare, which may include guidelines on eating, medications, and arranging transportation. On the day of surgery, we focus on your comfort and safety, using local anesthesia or sedation if needed. Whether it’s a tooth extraction, implant placement, or another treatment, we will do whatever we can to make the experience a positive one.

After surgery, we’ll walk you through recovery instructions and schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and support a smooth recovery.

Need Oral Surgery? Let’s Find the Right Solution for You

If you’re dealing with tooth loss, damage, or other oral health concerns, we’re here to help. Dr. Rice offers a wide range of surgical and restorative options, all in one place, so you can get the care you need without the extra stress. Contact our Denver office today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more comfortable smile.

Frequently Asked Questions