Wisdom Teeth Extraction: Maintain your smile and your quality of life

wisdom teeth extraction

A great deal of dental conditions can be prevented when you make the decision to have your problematic wisdom teeth extracted. Unnecessary discomfort, tenderness, inflammation and infection can affect your smile as well as the quality of your life. When your wisdom teeth begin to interfere with your ability to speak, eat, and sleep, the consequences of that discomfort can interrupt the normal flow of your daily life. Rather than suffer through the inconveniences presented by the wisdom teeth, you can preserve your health and your comfort by consulting an experienced oral surgeon to schedule your wisdom teeth extraction.  In addition to physical discomfort, the inability to properly clean the wisdom teeth and the neighboring teeth can make your efforts at good oral hygiene less effective. After even a single day, food and plaque can begin to accumulate around the very back teeth and under the gumline, beyond the reach…

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What is the success rate of dental implants?

dental implants

Dental implants are perhaps the most popular solution for tooth replacement within the last 30 years. When used to replace individual missing teeth, implants are designed to mimic the shape and size of a natural tooth. They can also be customized to replace only the root portion of a natural tooth in order to serve as an anchor for a dental bridge or a complete denture. As you discuss the option of dental implants with your oral surgeon, you will likely learn that these restorations have an impressive success rate of approximately 97%. According to clinical research statistics, nearly all dental implants can be expected to be successful. To qualify as “successful”, an implant must remain in place and functional for at least five years after it is initially placed. The great majority of implants, however, have been documented to last for a significantly longer period of time. Many of…

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All-on-4 Dental Implants vs. Dentures

All-on-4

If you need to replace an entire upper or lower arch of absent teeth, or even both of them, you have alternatives. You may choose All-on-4 dental implants, in which the titanium implants anchor a prosthetic arch of teeth, or conventional dentures. Patients who choose All-on-4 dental implants will be treated by an oral surgeon, while denture wearers may get their appliances from a general dentist or a specialist in prosthodontics. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two options in a number of characteristics: Stability:  Dental implants are much more secure than dental adhesives, so in this aspect, All-on-4 dental implants outperform the alternative. Implant-supported dentures will not slip out of place. In comparison, dentures require dental adhesives to stay in place, and those adhesives may fail. Longevity: Dental implants become a permanent part of the mouth’s structure. They also prevent the jawbone erosion that occurs when the teeth’s roots…

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What does recovery involve with wisdom teeth extraction?

wisdom teeth

Although this is a routine procedure, wisdom teeth extraction is a serious proposition for patients. While the recovery period is relatively short, patients still need to be prepared for some downtime, and they need to know what steps to take to ensure an uneventful recovery. Discomfort and swelling are common symptoms after a wisdom teeth extraction, and they’ll resolve over time. You may also notice a small amount of ongoing bleeding immediately after the procedure. If this goes on for more than 24 hours, contact your oral surgeon. It’s important to work with your oral surgeon to develop a plan for your aftercare and to be prepared for symptoms that may occur and indicate a problem. Patients can apply an ice pack during the first 24 hours after surgery then switch to a source of damp heat, such as a warm, wet washcloth, for the next two or three days.…

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What is Orthognathic Surgery?

jaw surgery

The smile is made up of components other than teeth. An attractive smile requires aligned teeth, proportional gums and jaws that fit together properly. Misaligned jaws are not only unattractive, but they can also compromise the joint’s ability to chew and cause discomfort for patients. Patients with various types of malocclusions can benefit from jaw surgery known as orthognathic surgery. This category of procedures repositions the upper and/or lower jaws and may also involve the chin. The goal of orthognathic surgery is to improve the way the jaws fit together. This type of surgery may be recommended in cases of TMJ disorders or sleep apnea that has not responded to more conservative interventions. Orthognathic surgery may involve collaboration between an oral surgeon and orthodontist. The orthodontist will begin to bring the teeth into the proper positions, and the surgeon will step in at some point during that process to work…

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Crown Lengthening: Purpose and Procedure

oral surgery

Crown lengthening is a type of oral surgery that reduces the amount of a patient’s gum tissue and exposes more of the patient’s tooth material. This procedure can be used in a number of circumstances. Some patients pursue crown lengthening for purely aesthetic reasons, such as eliminating a “gummy smile,” while others may need the surgery to uncover enough tooth material to support a restoration, such as a crown or filling. Crown lengthening may also be needed in cases of broken or severely decayed teeth in which there is minimal remaining tooth material below the gumline.  In performing oral surgery, such as crown lengthening, small incisions are made in the gums to pull tissue away from the tooth’s roots. Sometimes, it will be necessary for the surgeon to remove bone material surrounding the roots, as well, in order to achieve the desired appearance. After all the necessary tissue has been…

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When is a gum graft recommended?

oral surgeon

The gums are important to the well-being and appearance of the smile. When attacked by the bacteria in the mouth, the gums can begin to recede, compromising oral health and the smile’s aesthetics. Receding gums also may expose the tooth’s root, making the teeth more sensitive. In other cases, a patient may be dissatisfied with a natural gumline that is unusually high, exposing more of the teeth’s surfaces than is desired. An oral surgeon can treat gum tissue that is too thin. These scenarios are appropriate for an intervention known as a gum graft. This procedure, which can be performed by an oral surgeon, takes soft tissue from elsewhere in the mouth and places it to the graft site. This is known as a free gingival graft. When the teeth’s roots are exposed, the surgeon may also use a subepithelial connective tissue graft. In this case, tissue is removed beneath…

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Don’t wait too long to extract a damaged tooth

tooth extraction

In dentistry, saving teeth is a top priority. The commitment to saving natural teeth is demonstrated by a strong emphasis on the prevention of dental disease. When the teeth have been compromised by tooth decay, trauma, or periodontal disease, the second line of defense is restorative dentistry. By restoring and strengthening as much of the natural tooth structure as possible, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of a full, healthy smile. Unfortunately, there are times when a tooth has been so badly damaged that it can no longer be restored. In fact, a severely damaged tooth can become a liability to your health and to your remaining teeth, forcing you to consider tooth extraction as the only feasible treatment option. If your damaged tooth is causing pain or discomfort, tooth extraction is typically an easy decision. When pain is not a factor, when the damaged tooth is towards the…

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Training and Education Received by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

oral surgeon

How many dentists does it take to remove a cyst in the jaw, perform facial reconstructive surgery, remove wisdom teeth, and place a dental implant? When the dentist is an oral surgeon, the answer is one. After completing the requirements to earn a degree in general dentistry, a dentist can pursue advanced training and education in order to be licensed as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. With the additional coursework and clinical experience, a dental surgeon can provide a high level of specialized care. Following dental school, rigorous coursework and a hospital-based surgical residency program help to prepare dentists for the treatment of numerous conditions of the head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face. Traumatic injuries, cancer management, problematic wisdom teeth, deformities of the jaw and jaw joint, and even cosmetic services can all be performed by that hand of a highly skilled professional. Gaining hands-on experience in the areas of…

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