Procedures

Dental implants consist of a three-piece prosthetic device that replaces both the root and crown of the missing tooth (or teeth): the medical-grade titanium screw, a small post called an abutment, and a custom crown. Regardless of the reason behind your lost tooth, dental implants are a common tooth replacement solution chosen by patients. Patients who are missing a single…

Many teens and young adults may be unaware that they have an additional set of molars growing under the surface of their gums that can cause significant problems. These teeth are called third molars but are better known as wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, they are often undetectable without regular dental examinations or until they become a problem. They grow beneath the surface…

The All-on-4 Treatment Concept is a unique tooth replacement option using dental implants. It offers patients in need of a full arch of teeth replaced a highly efficient treatment option that usually involves a faster healing time and a lower cost than many other replacement options involving dental implants. Dr. Kunkel can restore an entire arch of teeth by inserting…

Many patients who experience tooth damage or decay can have their condition treated by a general dentist with a filling, crown, or root canal. But if the damage is too extensive for minor treatment techniques, the tooth may need to be removed. Depending on if the tooth removal case is complex or if the patient has a history of other…

If you have been missing one or multiple teeth, you are at risk for progressive bone loss and deterioration (also known as bone resorption). Once bone has been lost, it may need to be replaced to successfully replace missing teeth. At Pikes Peak Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we want to help you restore your smile and oral function.…

The lining of the mouth, or oral mucosa, is normally a smooth, healthy pink color. But when you experience changes in the appearance of the soft tissue, your mouth may require medical attention. While many oral lesions are not serious, the following alterations or lesions can be signs of a more aggressive pathologic process or cancerous growth: Reddish or whitish…

At Pikes Peak Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we are proud to provide oral surgical services to patients of all ages, including young children and teens. Our goal is to focus on the needs of each child and provide every young patient with a comfortable and pleasant experience. It is not uncommon for patients of any age to be…

There are millions of cases of facial trauma admitted each year to hospitals in the United States. Whether you have a major facial injury that requires hospitalization or a minor oral injury, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained specialists in the treatment of oral and facial trauma. In fact, oral surgeons can be busy members of any emergency room trauma team.…

Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is commonly performed on patients whose jaws do not meet correctly, which creates an improper bite or a complete misalignment of the jaw. Some patients can correct the problem without jaw surgery, through treatment by their orthodontist. If the problem is identified as severe enough for surgery, the orthodontist will refer the patient to…

Under normal circumstances, your teeth grow into your mouth by passing through the gums and emerging into their natural position. But sometimes, a tooth gets stuck and does not fully emerge into the mouth. A tooth that is unable to fully grow into the mouth or only partially grows into the mouth is called an impacted tooth. The most common…

Some patients may utilize a partial or complete denture as a replacement for a missing tooth or teeth. When you are preparing to receive a removable prosthesis, your surgeon has to ensure that the mouth is prepared to support the prosthesis comfortably to avoid any discomfort or complications that may arise from an improperly fitting piece. Since each mouth is different,…

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes you to have one or more pauses in your breathing or experience shallow breaths while you sleep. The pauses in your breathing can last anywhere from a few seconds to as long as a few minutes. This staggered breathing causes a constant disruption that moves you in and out of a…

One of the most common genetic deformities affecting the face is a cleft palate, cleft lip, or both. This type of facial irregularity occurs during pregnancy when there is not enough tissue present in the mouth or lip area for it to join properly before the baby is born. This condition may be due to genetics or an isolated birth defect,…