Any time a tooth is removed or the jawbone is prepared for an implant, the surgeon is working close to bone, nerves, and delicate gum tissue. Traditional rotary instruments cut quickly, but they can generate pressure and heat that strain those tissues, and that matters most when you want to keep as much bone as possible for a future implant. Piezosurgery is an alternative method that uses ultrasonic vibrations instead, and it is one of the ways a dental team can cut with more control. It supports our work in restorative dentistry.
Dr. Mila Poznyak uses a piezo instrument at A1 Dental in Cumming, GA, for extractions and bone preservation, and she places bone grafts with a membrane when a site needs one. She brings more than 20 years of clinical experience and has completed training in piezo extraction for bone preservation. We explain what piezosurgery can and cannot do, so you can decide with realistic expectations. Learn more about Dr. Poznyak.
Piezosurgery is a surgical technique that uses a handpiece vibrating at ultrasonic frequencies to cut bone and tooth structure. You may hear it called an ultrasonic knife. The key feature is selectivity. The vibrations are tuned to cut mineralized tissue such as bone and tooth, while soft tissue such as nerves, blood vessels, and the membranes lining the sinus is much less likely to be cut if the tip touches it.
The result is a controlled, precise cut, which is helpful in tight spaces near the roots of teeth, close to the jaw nerve, or around a delicate sinus membrane. A flow of water runs through the handpiece to keep the area cool while the tip works, and tips come in different shapes for different surgical tasks.
Traditional rotary instruments spin a burr to remove bone and tooth, which is fast but less selective. Piezo instruments cut more slowly and with less force, and they may allow finer control near sensitive structures. That trade-off is real. In research on wisdom tooth removal, a 2024 systematic review in the Journal of Personalized Medicine found that piezosurgery was associated with less postoperative pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness, but that it generally took longer than conventional methods.
The same review noted that findings on bone healing were mixed and that long-term data are limited. You can read it on the National Library of Medicine site, Piezosurgery in Third Molar Extractions. We use it as a guide to what the evidence supports, and we do not claim more than it does.
Piezo instruments are one of several tools available to us, and we choose them when their precision gives you a real advantage. Because most care happens under one roof at A1 Dental, you can usually have the extraction, the graft, and the planning for what comes next with the same team. Common uses include the following.
Dr. Poznyak will tell you whether piezosurgery is the right choice for your situation and when a conventional approach works equally well. When a case calls for specialty care, we coordinate with trusted specialists.
The benefits are mainly about precision and gentleness. Here is how they show up in practice, along with what the research does and does not support.
The selective cutting action may protect vital soft tissues, including nerves, blood vessels, and membranes. That precision can lower the chance of accidental soft tissue injury, and in some procedures studies suggest patients have less swelling and discomfort afterward than with conventional instruments. Every mouth is different, so we do not promise a specific result.
Piezosurgery lets the surgeon remove only the bone that needs to be removed. Preserving healthy bone helps support neighboring teeth, maintains the shape of the jaw, and creates better conditions for a future implant. The tips cut bone with water cooling, which may help limit heat damage and micro-fractures that can slow healing. This is the main reason Dr. Poznyak uses a piezo instrument for extractions when bone preservation matters.
Many patients find the procedure comfortable, and studies suggest less pain, swelling, and stiffness in the days after some surgeries. Research on overall healing time and bone healing is mixed, so we cannot promise a faster recovery. Healing still depends on your health, the complexity of the tooth, and how well you follow aftercare.
Piezo procedures can take longer than conventional ones because the instrument cuts more slowly. Not every case needs this technique, and it does not guarantee a particular implant outcome. We also do not claim that it prevents dry socket or nerve injury, because the research does not establish that.
We would rather give you an honest picture than promise results that no instrument can guarantee. If a conventional instrument is the better tool for your tooth, we will say so.
The experience is similar to other oral surgery visits, with a few differences you may notice. Here is how a typical visit unfolds.
Dr. Poznyak reviews your health history, examines the area, and uses 3D imaging and digital scans to plan the procedure. We discuss whether piezosurgery suits your case, what to expect, and what may come next, such as a bone graft or an implant, so the plan fits your long-term oral health goals.
The area is numbed with local anesthetic so you stay comfortable during the procedure. If you feel anxious, ask about our sedation dentistry options.
Using the piezo handpiece, Dr. Poznyak cuts bone and tooth structure with controlled ultrasonic vibrations while the water flow keeps the site cool. You will feel pressure and may hear a gentle high-pitched sound, but not the grinding sound of a rotary handpiece.
When a site needs more support for a future implant or to preserve bone, Dr. Poznyak places bone graft material and covers it with a membrane. The piezo instrument can be used to prepare the site beforehand, which helps keep the foundation ready for later restoration.
The site is closed with sutures, and you receive written aftercare instructions, including what to eat, how to keep the area clean, and when to call us. Most people can return to normal routines within a few days, though healing times vary. We schedule a follow-up to check how the site is healing.
A piezo system pairs a handpiece with a range of tips, each shaped for a different task such as loosening a tooth, cutting a thin window in bone, or smoothing a bone edge. Built-in irrigation keeps the surgical site cool and clear while the tip works, which may help limit heat damage to the tissue.
Piezo is part of a wider set of tools in our office, including 3D imaging, digital scanning, and laser therapy. You can read about each on our dental technology page.
Dr. Poznyak earned her dental degree in Minsk, Belarus, in 1994 and practiced for almost 20 years in the Moscow region before moving to the United States. She then completed the International Dentist Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2019, so her training spans two dental education systems and gives her a broad view of surgical anatomy.
Her continuing education includes piezo extraction for bone preservation, implant placement certification, osseodensification training, and live implant surgery courses. Her philosophy is conservative, longevity-focused dentistry, which means preserving healthy tooth and bone whenever possible and not recommending procedures you do not need.
Dental insurance typically covers the procedure itself, such as an extraction or a graft, rather than the specific instrument used. Coverage varies by plan. We participate with most major PPO plans, accept Medicare for covered services, and can work with out-of-network benefits, FSA, and HSA accounts, and financing through Cherry is available.
If you do not have insurance, our membership plan costs $150 for six months and includes a comprehensive exam, cleaning, and necessary X-rays, with discounted pricing on dental treatments. Our team can check your benefits and explain costs before treatment, and you can see details on our insurance and financing page.
Many patients find it comfortable, and studies suggest less pain, swelling, and stiffness afterward in some procedures. Every patient is different, and comfort also depends on the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia, and aftercare.
Many patients feel less discomfort within the first couple of days and return to normal activities within a few days. Research on overall healing time is mixed, and complete healing depends on the complexity of the procedure and your individual healing factors. Dr. Poznyak will discuss realistic expectations at your consultation.
Yes, it can be used for wisdom teeth, including impacted ones. It lets the surgeon remove bone precisely around the tooth while working near nerves and blood vessels. Studies suggest less pain and swelling afterward, though the procedure may take longer, and we do not claim it prevents complications such as dry socket.
Plans generally cover the underlying procedure, such as an extraction or bone graft, and may not distinguish the instrument used. Coverage varies by plan. We will verify your benefits and explain costs and options before your procedure.
By removing a tooth gently and shaping bone with precision, it may help protect the bone an implant will rely on. For grafting, it can help prepare the site so a graft and membrane can be placed. It does not guarantee a result, and your implant plan still depends on your bone, gums, and overall health.
Dr. Poznyak has completed training in piezo extraction for bone preservation, as well as implant placement and osseodensification courses, and she has more than 20 years of clinical experience. Her full background is listed on her biography page.
Dr. Poznyak provides general and restorative dental care in Cumming, including extractions, implant placement, and minimally invasive treatment, and most procedures are done in the same place so you do not have to go elsewhere. A1 Dental is located at 1580 Market Place Blvd and welcomes patients from Cumming, Alpharetta, Roswell, and Johns Creek. See the areas we serve.
Call 470-680-1030 or request an appointment online to talk through your options. We offer Saturday hours from 8 am to 2 pm, and our team speaks Russian as well as English.
Accepting New Patients
Dr. Mila Poznyak looks forward to serving the Cumming community with comprehensive dental care that prioritizes your long-term oral health and satisfaction. Contact us to learn more about our services and schedule your consultation.
