Oral Surgery Specialists of Tennessee

At our oral surgery practice in Oak Ridge, TN, and Crossville, TN, we perform a full range of procedures, from implant placement to advanced jaw surgery, helping patients experience the best possible outcome and excellent long-term results. Drs. Andrew Cheung, Lindsey Nagy, and Travis Witherington have many years of experience, and are assisted by a team of compassionate nurses, some of whom have been working with us for 30 years. We proudly use the latest technology to provide predictable treatment results with minimal discomfort. Our patients can expect care administered by skilled hands and compassionate hearts.

Essentially 100% of all humans will lose a permanent tooth during their lifetime. In early life, decay and growth problems are the cause for the loss. In mid life, gum disease takes its toll. In later life, abrasion and cracking occur because the enamel of the tooth becomes brittle. All of us will need some sort of replacement for a lost tooth. Having a missing tooth in the back part of our mouth can be troublesome from loss of chewing capacity. Losing an upper, front tooth not only takes away our ability to bite, but the cosmetic consequences can be devastating.

Our surgeons coordinate with your dentist to provide state-of-the-art implant-supported dentures at our Oak Ridge, TN, and Crossville, TN, practice. Dental implants provide the best support possible for your dentures, and they also offer significant benefits for your long-term oral health. With the aid of our advanced imaging technology, we will place four or more dental implants. After you have healed, your family dentist will attach a permanent, highly lifelike restoration. In some cases, we can provide teeth in a day.

We typically use teeth in a day to support dentures, but we can also provide same-day crowns and bridges. Our team of surgeons will collaborate with you, your primary dentist, and a dental lab to ensure optimal results. After your surgery, we can attach a temporary restoration. Though intended for the short-term, it will look very realistic, and it will restore most of your oral function. It is important to understand that as you heal, you will need to exercise some caution, avoiding foods that are difficult to chew. Once you have healed completely, your family dentist will attach your permanent denture. At this point, you will not typically have any dietary restrictions.

Nobody knows why we have wisdom teeth, but the fact of the matter is that most of our young people simply do not have enough room for those particular teeth. They are the last teeth in the mouth to form, and they get crowded out by the other teeth. We call this condition, “impacted wisdom teeth.” Even in a healthy young person with a clean mouth, the wisdom teeth usually do not have enough room to fully erupt into a position that allows brushing, flossing, and cleaning like the other teeth toward the front. It's simply impossible to reach them because they are partially or completely buried under the gum and bone. Infection and decay develop.