Wisdom Teeth Removal: Stop health problems before they start

wisdom teeth

When you are contemplating the removal of your wisdom teeth, it is wiser to think about the problems that you are preventing rather than the problems that you are correcting. In fact, at the moment that your oral surgeon suggests extracting your wisdom teeth, you might not be experiencing any problems at all. During that period of time, you may actually be experiencing the calm before the storm which provides you with a false sense of security, and that’s precisely what you want to prevent. There are a host of health problems associated with the wisdom teeth, many of which can be completely avoided by simply electing to have these teeth removed before the problems begin. The problem is that it is nearly impossible to determine the exact moment that a wisdom tooth will start to go bad. The safest bet is to have a dental professional to evaluate each…

When is Tooth Extraction Recommended?

tooth extraction

For all of your life, you have strived to save your teeth. You have brushed and flossed and shown up for your regular dental checkups. You have made a reasonable attempt to heed your dentist’s warnings about eating too much candy and you may have even had a few fillings or crowns in your lifetime. So, why then, would there ever be a need to have your precious teeth taken out? With all of the emphasis on preserving your complete smile, when is tooth extraction recommended? There are certainly times when your dentist or oral surgeon might suggest removing one or more of your teeth. The recommendation is always justified when the extraction is in the best interest of your health, and it will always be accompanied by an informative discussion regarding the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the decision. Below, you’ll find a list of the most common reasons…

Oral Surgery: What are my financing options?

oral surgeon

Without a doubt, the very best oral surgery experience is one in which there are no unexpected surprises. When everything goes according to the plan, you’ll feel more relaxed and more satisfied, and your oral surgeon will feel better too. The expectation of full preparation and disclosure applies not only to the treatment rooms, but also to your experience at the front desk. How much will your treatment cost and what are the office’s policies on collecting payment? These questions can be answered with the presentation of a detailed treatment plan at the conclusion of your consultation visit, and confirmed when you arrive on the day of your scheduled treatment. Your treatment plan will outline and specify the surgical procedures that have been recommended for you, the recommended anesthesia or sedation options, fees for specialized equipment or procedures, relevant testing or other diagnostic services. The fees for each item will…

Oral Surgery Procedure: What are my sedation options?

oral surgery

As you consider scheduling an appointment for oral surgery, your thoughts will certainly wander beyond the subject of wisdom teeth or dental implants. Like many patients, it is understandable that you will wonder about the other details surrounding the surgery. How will it feel? Will you be asleep or awake? Will you feel pain? What if you are afraid of needles? These questions (and others) are perfectly normal, and your oral surgeon is prepared to answer them all. In fact, your oral surgeon is prepared to customize the surgical procedure to suit your preferences in order to provide you with high quality care that is also comfortable. For most patients, the management of stress or anxiety and controlling pain are top priorities. When you are able to relax into the dental chair and when you are able to let your mind wander away from thoughts of tension or discomfort, you…

Tooth Extraction: What are my treatment options?

tooth extraction

Ideally, when a patient has experienced tooth decay or facial trauma, a dentist would be able to save the tooth. However, in some cases, teeth are so badly damaged by decay or injury that they cannot be saved through restorations and must be extracted. If a tooth extraction is more complex, it must be performed by an oral surgeon. On the other hand, simple extractions can be done by a general dentist. Of course, after your tooth extraction, you probably will want to explore some sort of tooth replacement option (unless it is a wisdom tooth, which has no impact on the smile’s appearance when it is removed). This will help to restore your smile’s appearance and functionality.  Patients have a number of treatment options when it comes to tooth replacement. A single missing tooth may be treated with a fixed permanent bridge, while the removal of an entire arch…

How Dental Implants Can Reduce Long-term Dental Costs

dental implants

Dental implants represent the most modern tooth replacement technology that dentistry has to offer. A significant advance over past tooth replacement methods, the dental implant fuses with the bone, providing structural support underneath the gumline and becoming a permanent fixture in the mouth. Dental implants are made of titanium, and after the oral surgeon inserts them into the jaw, they osseointegrate with the bone, offering stability and durability that is unmatched by alternatives like bridges and dentures. In fact, if you care for your implants as instructed, they can last for decades. A significant shortcoming of bridges and dentures is that they do not replace the absent tooth root as dental implants do. Because no root is available to anchor the jaw, it will gradually wear away over time. This process leads to ill-fitting appliances that must be re-fitted or replaced periodically—at the patient’s expense and inconvenience. Another important budget-friendly…