Wisdom Teeth Removal: Your Most Common Questions Answered

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  Has your dentist informed you that your wisdom teeth are coming in? Perhaps you’ve been referred to an oral surgeon for a wisdom tooth removal consultation. If you have queries about wisdom teeth and their removal, read on for answers to frequently asked questions. How many wisdom teeth does a person have? A person can have up to four wisdom teeth but some people do not develop wisdom teeth at all. Others might have between one and four wisdom teeth. Why do we have wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that develop during one’s late teenage years or early-to-mid 20s. Originally, this third set of molars was helpful because people’s first and second sets of molars would often decay by the time a person was a teenager or adult. This means that third molars would essentially replace back teeth that were lost to disease. Now…

Wisdom Teeth Removal: What are post-extraction considerations?

wisdom teeth extraction

Do you have an upcoming wisdom teeth extraction? If so, you likely have questions about your procedure. Removing wisdom teeth can preserve people’s oral health and comfort. These teeth, due to their wide roots and arrival during adulthood, contribute to many oral health complications including abscesses, worn dentition, and orofacial pain. During your treatment, our oral surgeons and our staff will take all measures necessary to ensure your comfort. After your procedure, you will need to make temporary changes to your daily routine so that you can enjoy an optimal recovery. Temporary Diet Changes After wisdom teeth removal, a person will need to adopt a liquid diet. Items like smoothies, broths, and clear liquids are wonderful for staying hydrated and receiving vital nutrients. Within a couple days, patients can begin introducing soft foods like mashed potatoes or pudding into their diets. These changes are only temporary and they are necessary…

Which teeth can be replaced by dental implants?

dental implants

Do you wonder if dental implants are right for you? Have you lost one or more teeth? When it comes to treating tooth loss, dental implants are lauded as the most durable, tooth-like option available. Dental implants effectively restore oral function, support neighboring oral structures, and improve the aesthetics of a smile with a long-lasting prosthetic. Any type of tooth can be replaced with a dental implant as long as the area has adequate bone tissue to secure the implant in place. Our oral surgeons utilize advanced technology for accurate dental implant placement to ensure the best results possible. What does a dental implant do? Consider thinking of a dental implant as a prosthetic used to replace the root systems of teeth. All other tooth replacement options can only replace the visible structures of teeth. For instance, bridges connect to the visible structures of other teeth to fill in the…

4 Things You Might Not Know About Dental Implants

dental implants

Dental implants are unique and revolutionary bases for replacing lost tooth structure. These innovative prosthetics increase oral function and improve appearance while supporting the health of important oral structures like gums and bone. Our oral surgeons have extensive experience placing dental implants. Since implants are a newer tooth replacement method, they offer many benefits that some people might not know about. Following are four facts about implants that might surprise you. Implants are Low Maintenance When compared to other types of prosthetics, dental implants are considered very low maintenance once they are stable. A dental implant and the restoration it holds are ultimately cleaned the same way that biological teeth are – with brushing and flossing. Specialized cleaning tools and overnight soaking are not required to keep dental implants clean. Dental Implants Replace Lost Root Structure A dental implant is a prosthetic made from titanium. It is embedded directly into…

Congenitally Missing Teeth: Are dental implants an option?

dental implants

  Some patients are not born with a full set of 32 permanent teeth. In these cases, they should consider prosthetic tooth replacement options to complete their smiles. In the right conditions, dental implants can be a good solution for replacing a congenitally missing tooth. Structure of a Dental Implant Dental implants are unique among tooth replacement treatments because they consist of a root-like structure that supports a prosthetic crown or appliance. The dental implant is a titanium cylinder that an oral surgeon inserts into the jaw. After dental implant placement, the surrounding bone gradually fuses with the implant’s surface, and the dental implant becomes a fixture in the patient’s jaw. Qualifying for Dental Implants The quality of bone at the implant site is a critical element of long-term dental implant success. Often times, patients with congenitally missing teeth may also be lacking some bone structure in the area. This…

Sedation Options for Oral Surgery

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An oral surgeon is trained to perform very specific procedures that can affect the entire oral cavity and lower portion of the face. For example, a person might see an oral surgeon for something relatively simple like a tooth extraction or something far more complex like full mouth reconstruction, which can include jaw surgery, tooth extractions and implant dentistry. Since an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) performs an array of treatments with varying invasiveness, sedation and anesthetic options for patients is necessary for promoting comfortable care. Local Anesthesia & Nitrous Oxide Advancements in local anesthetics have made it possible for dental professionals to take conservative approaches to using strong medications in many instances. Some tooth extractions can be performed with local anesthetic and nitrous oxide effective at maintaining patient comfort. On the other hand, many wisdom tooth extractions require IV sedation. That is because this oral surgery is more complex…

Wisdom Teeth Removal: A Guide to Your Third Molars

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The first time many patients encounter an oral surgeon is when it’s time to have their wisdom teeth removed. The lack of familiarity with these procedures can seem scary and overwhelming at first, but when patients get more information, they feel reassured. Here is a guide to help you understand why impacted wisdom teeth need to be extracted and what you can expect from the procedure. You may wonder why we even have these teeth to begin with if they’re only going to be removed. These large teeth helped our ancient ancestors process their diet, which included much tougher foods than those we eat today. Additionally, these early humans had no routine dental care, so they were far more likely to lose their other teeth, and the third molars were standing by as a replacement. However, modern humans have much smaller jaws and there is not enough room for these…

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

tooth extraction

Most people know that wisdom teeth are commonly removed. This is because these teeth are often very problematic to oral health and wellbeing when they are retained. Even though it is common knowledge that many people have their wisdom teeth extracted, some people might be wondering why our bodies develop these teeth in the first place. Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Our early ancestor’s diets consisted of rough food like nuts and meats, which required stronger chewing forces resulting in excessive tooth wear. Due to bad oral hygiene practices along with the fact that dental care was not accessible, wisdom teeth came in handy because most people lost their other molars to disease by early adulthood. Now that people have access to high quality dental healthcare and are more educated about oral health, our first and second sets…

Why Dental Implants are the Ideal Tooth Replacement Solution

dental implants

Tooth loss is a serious problem and finding the tooth replacement method to meet your needs is incredibly important for your quality of life. Advancements in surgical techniques, prosthetic materials, and oral health technology have greatly improved the way dental professionals approach tooth replacement. Today, many regard dental implants as the ideal tooth replacement solution. While the science behind dental implants is well known among dentists and oral surgeons, the general public might not know how beneficial dental implants truly are. Below are a few reasons why dental implants make for excellent replacement teeth. Lifelike Replacement Teeth A dental implant replaces the root structure of teeth. This is done by embedding a titanium screw-like prosthetic (dental implant) into the jawbone through the empty tooth socket. Over time, bone fuses to the titanium structure of an implant so that it is stable and sturdy. Once the process of bone fusing to…

Wisdom Teeth Removal: What are Pre-Extraction Considerations?

oral surgeon

Do you need your wisdom teeth removed? If so, more than likely, your dentist has referred you to an oral surgeon for a consultation. Removing wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure. Fortunately, modern techniques are used to reduce invasiveness and medication helps ease discomfort during and after one’s treatment. Having your wisdom teeth removed is beneficial to your oral health as it can reduce the risks for developing conditions such as abscesses and periodontal disease. If you have an upcoming extraction, there are some things to consider before your procedure. We recommend that patients having their wisdom teeth removed run errands prior to their procedure, stock up on recommended food items, and arrange for transportation to and from their appointments. Run Errands We recommend running all necessary errands prior to your appointment. This is because you will need to rest after your procedure. If you need to go shopping, pay…