Oral Surgery in Missoula, MT

Oral surgery is one of those areas of dentistry most people hope to avoid. It’s easy to imagine it as something complicated or uncomfortable. Still, for those facing advanced dental concerns, it can be the most effective way to regain health, comfort, and confidence. At Big Sky Dentures & Implants, we understand the hesitation, which is why we’ve shaped our care around making this process easier to go through and easier to recover from.

When issues like deep decay, bone loss, infections, or impacted teeth exceed the scope of what routine care can fix, surgery becomes the next step. These procedures reduce pain and support the long-term stability of your smile. What makes our practice experience different is how we approach these treatments. We invest in advanced imaging, guided techniques, and a treatment philosophy focused on your comfort.

Tooth Extractions: Gentle Oral Surgery for a Healthier Smile

Whenever possible, we aim to preserve your natural teeth. But when a tooth is too damaged, infected, or poorly positioned, removing it can relieve discomfort and prevent further complications.

There are several reasons why a tooth extraction might be necessary. Sometimes, a tooth has extensive decay and cannot be repaired with a filling or dental crown. Extraction helps eliminate infection and pain. Advanced gum disease can also lead to bone loss that loosens the teeth, making extraction the healthiest option. In other cases, trauma from an accident may cause a fracture that cannot be repaired. Each of these situations requires a different level of care, but all share the goal of protecting your overall oral health.

Not all extractions are the same. When a tooth is impacted, unerupted, broken beneath the gum line, or surrounded by dense bone, we perform a surgical extraction. This involves creating access through the gum tissue, and in some cases, removing a small amount of bone to reach and safely remove the tooth. These procedures require precision and a gentle approach to support healing.

To make the experience better and protect your bone, we use the Piezotome® Cube. This device uses ultrasonic vibrations to carefully separate the tooth from the surrounding bone and ligament without using force or pressure. It’s especially helpful for front teeth, where preserving bone is critical. This gentle approach helps protect healthy tissue, reduces swelling, and supports faster healing, making it ideal when you need to keep as much bone as possible if you are getting dental implants.

Bone Grafting: Strengthening the Foundation for Implants

We use bone grafting as a supportive measure to rebuild areas of your jaw where bone has weakened or diminished over time. This step strengthens the foundation for future restorations, helping ensure that your results are stable, long-lasting, and comfortable.

When a tooth is missing, the jawbone no longer receives the stimulation that chewing naturally provides. Over time, this leads to gradual bone loss in that area. If too much bone has been lost, placing a dental implant becomes more difficult and less predictable. Bone grafting restores the volume and density necessary to secure an implant.

We start with a detailed assessment using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). This advanced 3D imaging technology gives us a clear view of your jaw structure, allowing us to measure bone levels and plan your treatment. If we’re placing a graft, preparing for an implant, or performing any other surgical procedure, CBCT helps us tailor each step to your specific needs.

During a bone grafting procedure, we place grafting material into the area of bone loss. This material may come from your own body, a donor source, or a safe synthetic alternative. As healing progresses, the graft integrates with your natural bone to create a stronger, more stable base for implants.

Mini Dental Implants: A More Streamlined Approach

Dental implants fall under the category of oral surgery because placing them involves a surgical procedure. During this process, we insert a small titanium post directly into your jawbone. This step is essential because it allows the implant to fuse with the bone. Once the bone bonds with the implant, it forms a solid foundation for your crown, bridge, or denture.

This connection allows you to bite and chew with natural strength and comfort. Because the implant is anchored in the bone, it also keeps the surrounding tissue active. This activity helps prevent bone loss and maintain your facial structure. With proper care, this surgical foundation provides a durable and long-lasting restoration that can serve you reliably for decades. When properly cared for, this foundation supports a durable and long-lasting restoration that can last for decades or even a lifetime.

At Big Sky Dentures & Implants, we primarily use one-piece and mini dental implants. The placement of mini implants is still considered oral surgery. However, the procedure is significantly less invasive than traditional implant surgery. We place the mini implant directly through the gum and into the bone without the need for large incisions or sutures. Their smaller size means they can often be placed in areas with limited bone, eliminating the need for grafting. Because there is minimal disruption to the surrounding tissue during the procedure, you heal faster, experience less discomfort, and return to normal activities sooner.

Oral Surgery That Works With You, Not Against You

When you’re dealing with a serious dental issue, oral surgery might be exactly what gets you back to eating normally, sleeping better, and living without constant discomfort. At Big Sky Dentures & Implants in Missoula, MT, we use guided technology, gentle techniques, and smaller, less invasive options like mini dental implants to make treatment and recovery easier. Contact us today to discover what care can truly look like when it’s tailored to your comfort and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions