Tag Archives: oral surgeon DFW

When is a gum graft recommended?

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…

Treating Sleep Apnea

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?

In addition to maintaining your attractive smile, dental professionals are also concerned about protecting your oral health. Oral pathology is a dental specialty that is essential to the latter effort. Oral pathology, which focuses on the diagnosis of oral diseases and the processes that cause them, can help our DFW oral surgeon to develop an effective treatment plan for your condition.  Just as in any other tissue found in the body, cellular anomalies can be found in the gums, tongue and other soft tissues of the mouth. After an oral surgeon has removed such abnormal cells, oral pathology helps to determine whether the cells are malignant or benign. The process begins when your oral surgeon removes a suspicious piece of tissue for further examination. White or red patches in the mouth, a slow-healing sore, or a lump or thickening all may be cause for concern. Your oral surgeon will remove…