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…

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…

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…