Sleep Apnea: Are there health risks?

oral surgeon

A common sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea involves the cessation of proper breathing for roughly 60 seconds at a time when soft oral tissues relax and block air passageways. When patients cease breathing for a few seconds, the brain will send signals for the body to wake slightly to reinstitute proper breathing. This condition results in a perpetual cycle of breathing cessation followed by slight wakefulness hundreds of times during a night. Because researchers have linked sleep apnea to other systemic health issues such as heart disease, stroke, depression, and diminished cognitive function, our oral surgeon offers non-surgical and surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea essentially robs a sleeper from achieving the deep rest needed to fully rejuvenate the body and its tissues. Furthermore, sleep apnea prevents a patient from achieving proper levels of rest and instead contributes to fatigue and sleep deprivation. Untreated sleep apnea leads to…

Improve your Chances of a Successful Dental Implant Recovery

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The use of dental implants has revolutionized the way oral surgeons and dental professionals address tooth loss. Dental implants offer durable and natural-looking replacement teeth and are also used to secure prosthetics such as fixed partial dentures into the mouth. A dental implant involves placing a small, metal alloy rod into the jawbone where a crown or prosthetic may be later fixed to the implant. Placing an implant requires oral surgery and after the procedure, patients can take a proactive approach to enjoying a successful post-operative recovery. After your procedure, your oral surgeon will send you home with a post-operative packet of instructions for home care. It is extremely important to read these materials thoroughly and follow its precise instructions. Additionally, your dentist may recommend other measures to increase the success of your recovery based on your unique needs and lifestyle. When visiting your oral surgeon before and after the…

Oral Surgery: What are my financing options?

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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…

Will I need to have teeth extracted prior to getting braces?

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Braces can help give patients the smile of their dreams, but in some cases, the appliances themselves may not be enough to achieve a patient’s aesthetic goals. When planning for orthodontic treatment, some patients may need to consult with an oral surgeon in addition to keeping their regular appointments with the orthodontist. Patients with severely crowded teeth or an excess number of teeth may need to have some of those teeth extracted in order to bring the teeth into the proper alignment. Tooth extraction may also be indicated to address an overbite or to create more room to accommodate teeth that protrude from the smile.  If you still have your wisdom teeth, you may want to have those extracted prior to getting braces, too. The wisdom teeth can continue to attempt to erupt, which can knock the teeth out of alignment and ruin the results of the years you spent…

Impacted Cuspid: What are my options?

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For the most attractive smile and a properly functioning bite, it is important for each tooth to grow into its appropriate position. In most cases, tooth eruption is a natural process that may require minor orthodontic assistance in order to achieve perfection. In many instances, one or more teeth may fail to grow into place naturally, and you’ll need the expertise of an oral surgeon to complete the process. One of the most commonly impacted, or “trapped” teeth are the upper cuspids. These teeth, also referred to as the eye teeth or canines, play an important role in the alignment of your bite. They also have the longest roots of any other permanent teeth, making them stronger and more durable than most of the other teeth.  Since an impacted cuspid cannot be expected to erupt naturally, modern dentistry offers many proven solutions to assist in the process. Your orthodontist may…

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…

Training and Education Received by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

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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…

Treating Sleep Apnea

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It’s a fact that most people snore whilst asleep at some point in their life. Snoring can affect a person’s quality of sleep – and those around them – but can also be harmful to the person’s health. Frequent, loud snoring can be a pointer to something more serious – a condition called ‘sleep apnea’, in which the patient’s breathing frequently stops and starts during sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can interrupt the person’s breathing for a few seconds at a time and these interruptions can occur many times throughout the night. Sleep apnea is a treatable condition, so if you suffer from or know someone who suffers from sleep apnea, contact our oral surgeon to learn about your options. There are typically 3 types of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea –occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the patient’s throat relaxes during sleep and causing a blockage…

What is Oral Pathology?

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Any number of abnormalities, such as bumps, lumps, or lesions may develop in the soft tissues oral cavity or in the jaw bones and joints. In some cases, those unusual clusters of cells are harmless, but for other patients, they may be a signal of a serious disease, such as an infection or oral cancer.  When a patient or a dentist spots a sign of potential trouble, the patient’s next visit may be with an oral surgeon, who can remove a tissue sample that is then sent to a lab for biopsy. That trip to the oral surgeon is the patient’s initial entry into the dental specialty of oral pathology. Specifically, oral pathology is the discipline that focuses on the diagnosis of oral diseases through various forms of examination. When an oral pathologist identifies the underlying mechanism of the disease, those findings can then point to the most effective treatment…

What is Sleep Apnea?

oral surgeon

Sleep apnea is a commonly undiagnosed sleep disorder. Other than feeling especially tired upon waking in the morning, most sufferers of this condition are completely unaware. Unfortunately, undiagnosed sleep apnea can lead to a number of rather serious health conditions. When a person experiences an interruption in the breathing pattern during sleep, the occurrence is termed, sleep apnea. The interruptions in breathing can last for a few seconds to a number or minutes, occurring multiple times within a single minute. During your routine medical visits there are no blood tests or other routine tests available to detect sleep apnea. Often, a spouse, roommate, or family member can inform you of your inconsistent breathing patterns or excessive snoring. Loud snorting during sleep may also indicate sleep apnea. You should schedule an appointment to discuss the available treatment options with your oral surgeon serving Irving if you suspect that you are suffering…