Health Library

The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.

Dental Procedures and Surgery

  • Guides through decision to remove or not to remove wisdom teeth. Discusses causes of problems. Offers reasons for and against removal. Covers risks related to both choices. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

  • Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. Root planing and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. Your dentist may need to use a local anesthetic to numb your gums and the roots of your teeth. Some dentists and dental hygienists...

  • You may need surgery for severe gum disease ( periodontitis) if it cannot be cured with antibiotics or root planing and scaling. A gingivectomy removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of pockets between the teeth and gums. A gum specialist (periodontist) or oral surgeon often will do the procedure...

  • You may need surgery for severe gum disease ( periodontitis) if it cannot be cured with antibiotics or root planing and scaling. A flap procedure cleans the roots of a tooth and repairs bone damage caused by gum disease. A gum specialist (periodontist) or an oral surgeon often performs the procedure. Before the...

  • Describes root canal surgery in detail. Covers what to expect after surgery, why surgery is done, and how well it works. Lists risks involved. Also provides a list of suggested questions to ask your doctor about root canal treatment.

  • Describes surgery to remove a tooth that is damaged. Discusses why surgery is done and how well it works. Covers what to expect after surgery. Covers possible risks. Offers home care tips. Provides questions to ask your dentist about tooth extraction.

  • An oral and maxillofacial surgeon or your dentist can remove (extract) a wisdom tooth. The procedure often can be done in the dentist's or surgeon's office. You may have the surgery in the hospital, especially if you are having all your wisdom teeth pulled at one time or if you are at high risk for complications. If...

  • A crown (often called a cap) fits over and replaces the entire part of a decayed tooth above the gum line. It encases the tooth and becomes the tooth's new outer surface. You may need two or more visits to your dentist to repair a severely decayed tooth with a crown. Crowns may be made of porcelain or a metal base...

  • A filling is a material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity after he or she removes any tooth decay. To fill a tooth, your dentist will: Numb your teeth, gums, tongue, and surrounding skin. Your dentist will first put a substance that feels like jelly directly on the area to start the numbing process, and then...

  • You may need surgery for severe gum disease ( periodontitis) if it cannot be cured with antibiotics or root planing and scaling. A flap procedure cleans the roots of a tooth and repairs bone damage caused by gum disease. A gum specialist (periodontist) or an oral surgeon often performs the procedure. Before the...

  • You may need surgery for severe gum disease ( periodontitis) if it cannot be cured with antibiotics or root planing and scaling. A gingivectomy removes and reshapes loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of pockets between the teeth and gums. A gum specialist (periodontist) or oral surgeon often will do the procedure...

  • Describes causes and symptoms of crooked teeth (called malocclusion). Covers treatment with orthodontics (braces) or surgery.

  • Orthognathic surgery treats malocclusion ("poor bite") by restructuring the jaw through cutting the bone and repositioning the bone segments. Adults who have jaw-related malocclusion are sometimes offered a choice between simple orthodontic treatment and orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery. Adults...

  • Describes root canal surgery in detail. Covers what to expect after surgery, why surgery is done, and how well it works. Lists risks involved. Also provides a list of suggested questions to ask your doctor about root canal treatment.

  • Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. Root planing and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. Your dentist may need to use a local anesthetic to numb your gums and the roots of your teeth. Some dentists and dental hygienists...

  • Teeth whitening is not a medical procedure—it does not result in healthier teeth—but it can result in whiter teeth and a brighter smile. This in turn can make people feel better about themselves. There are two types of teeth whitening: Bleaching your teeth changes the color of the tooth enamel and removes both...

  • Describes surgery to remove a tooth that is damaged. Discusses why surgery is done and how well it works. Covers what to expect after surgery. Covers possible risks. Offers home care tips. Provides questions to ask your dentist about tooth extraction.

  • Guides through decision to remove or not to remove wisdom teeth. Discusses causes of problems. Offers reasons for and against removal. Covers risks related to both choices. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

  • An oral and maxillofacial surgeon or your dentist can remove (extract) a wisdom tooth. The procedure often can be done in the dentist's or surgeon's office. You may have the surgery in the hospital, especially if you are having all your wisdom teeth pulled at one time or if you are at high risk for complications. If...

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