Wisdom Teeth: Impactions and Extractions

Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the last tooth position of each jaw quadrant. They are the last teeth to grow, usually appearing between the ages of 16 and 34. People usually have four wisdom teeth, but it's possible to have more or fewer than that. Extra wisdom teeth are called supernumerary wisdom teeth. Absence of one or more is a condition called hypodontia.

Wisdom teeth are extracted to correct an existing problem (e.g., when a wisdom tooth is impacted) or to prevent problems that may arise in the future. Problems that may be caused by impacted wisdom teeth include infections due to food particles trapped in the area where brushing and flossing is difficult or ineffective. In certain cases, such infections are a frequent occurrence, which can cause a person to suffer considerable pain, even medical danger. Impacted wisdom teeth causing increasingly higher pressure inside the jaws as the teeth grow can also cause unbearable suffering.

Wisdom tooth extraction should only be performed by a dental professional with sufficient training and experience in such procedures. The reasons behind a patient's need to have his wisdom teeth extracted should be explained to him fully by his dentist after a dental examination, which often includes x-rays. A panoramic x-ray is the best available diagnostic tool for people with problematic wisdom teeth.

How to Take Good Care of Your Dental Implants

People who have certain types of periodontal diseases, and those who have completely lost some of their teeth can benefit from having a dental implant procedure. This is an excellent way to restore the beauty of one’s smile, and restore full function. Nevertheless, there are certain things that people who have implants need to know in properly caring for their new teeth.

In the first few days after the surgery, the area around your implants should be considered a no-brush zone, since your wound isn't fully healed yet during this period. You can ask your dental professional to prescribe a mouth wash for you to use during these critical days.

After a week or so, you can now brush your teeth as you would the rest of your chompers. Remember to use a special brush for sensitive teeth, though. You might want one with a bent or bendable handle so you can reach behind the abutments. Floss thoroughly after every meal.

Keep talking to your dentist after the surgery to tell him how your implants are doing. If you feel any strange pain sensation around the surgery in the first few weeks, notify him immediately. You may need to get routine x-rays for maintenance, too.

Even though your implant is meant to restore your bite to normal more than crowns and bridges ever could, be careful about biting on hard food items, chewing on ice, or eating very sticky food. You should also know that smoking and coffee may easily stain your new implants rather easily. 

It’s Best to Know What to Expect after Oral Surgery

People undergoing oral surgery for the first time often don't know what exactly to expect during the recovery process, and could end up panicking or suffering paranoia due to the unfamiliar experience. However, what you should know is that many of these seemingly-strange effects are in fact normal, and can be alleviated by following some simple steps.

Slight bleeding after a periodontal procedure is normal. In fact you can expect it to persist up to 24 hours following the surgery. Buy a surgical gauze (or you could ask your dental surgeon for some) and bite down on it using firm pressure for about thirty minutes to one hour when profuse bleeding ensues.

Swelling is also pretty common in many oral or gum surgery procedures. Have an ice pack handy in the critical first 24 hours after the surgery so you can have something to help relieve the side of your face where the swelling is most apparent. Ordinarily, the swelling should be gone after 7 to 10 days.

Certain types of periodontal surgery procedures may result in varying levels of pain to course through your face and head in the first few post-operative days. Speak with your dentist beforehand about effective pain medications he can prescribe, making sure that you take it only according to his directions.

Avoid most dental hygiene practices that involve putting pressure on your gums and teeth for the first 24 hours (even vigorous rinsing and spitting is discouraged). In the following days however, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to take care of your chompers; but remain gentle when brushing around the surgery site.

5 Quick Tips to Healthier Teeth

Dentists share the main things you need to put into your oral health care plan for you to get that amazing smile:

1. Develop a daily oral routine. It's important to brush your teeth three times a day or after every meal, to ensure that they remain clean and that bacteria in your mouth is removed so they won't cause tooth decay.
2. Floss. People tend to overlook this, but dentists stress that flossing is essential. This can help remove plaque and other food particles between your teeth and gums that your toothbrush may have missed.
3. Use fluoride. Toothpaste, most mouthwashes, and even tap water contain fluoride, which not only prevents tooth decay but also strengthens enamel. Your dentist should be able to tell you how much fluoride is needed for your teeth, and if it's necessary for you to get supplements.
4. Watch what you eat. Sugary and starchy foods like ice cream and soda can be particularly damaging to your teeth when these foods are left on the surface for extended periods. Bacteria thriving on these foods produce acid in your mouth that damages tooth enamel. A tip: chew sugarless gum after snacking; it produces more saliva that can naturally wash away the acids.
5. Pay regular visits to your dentist. It may sound like a pain, but at least two visits to your dentist in a year can do wonders in keeping your teeth healthy and white.

Things You Have to Know About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that people usually get once they reach their late teens or early twenties. At times, when these teeth are properly aligned and healthy, they become an important asset. Unfortunately, these teeth are often misaligned or impacted and will need removal.

To know if you have a problem with your wisdom tooth, you should schedule an appointment with your trusted dentist. When you go to the dental office, an x-ray will be done to assess the presence and alignment of your wisdom teeth. By doing this, the dentist may recommend whether the wisdom teeth needs to be extracted to prevent potential problems.

Extraction of wisdom teeth may depend on their position and stage of development. If the wisdom tooth is fully erupted through the gum, then it can be removed just like a normal tooth. However, if it is partially covered by the gums or deeply planted on the jawbone, oral surgery may be necessary for complete and convenient removal.

So what happens once a wisdom tooth is removed? In the first 24 hours, the face may swell, particularly in the affected area. Also, slight bleeding may occur several hours after the tooth was extracted. For pain management, patients are prescribed pain relievers that they can take for the first few days.

Your Initial Consultation with an Oral Surgeon

Regular dental checkups are essential. It is important to visit your dentist every three to six months to identify any problems you might not see or feel. If your dentist does see a major problem, he may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for procedures or treatments like dental implants, jaw surgery, or wisdom teeth extraction. When this happens, know that your initial consultation with the surgeon will be critical to the success of your surgical procedure.

The initial consultation is your chance to learn about the details of the procedure so that you'll be informed and in control every step of the way. It will also be an opportunity for the surgeon to evaluate your condition and identify the safest and most effective approach to treatment. To assess risks and complications that may arise from the procedure, expect the surgeon to ask about your current state of health, any medications you are taking, details about your dental condition, and any allergies you may have.

The surgeon may also obtain an X-ray or CT scan of your mouth and teeth. After his evaluation, you will learn how the procedure will be performed, what your anesthesia options are, and what the possible results of the surgery will be. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask them. This is the only way you'll feel comfortable and confident about the procedure.

Dental Implants: A Way to Restore Your Smile

Losing a tooth is a big deal. Not only will it affect a person's body image and self-esteem, it could also have an impact on one's speech, ability to chew, and smile. Gone are the days when you can effortlessly bite into an apple, join conversations without being awkward, and pose confidently in front of a camera. Luckily, oral surgeons have a way to restore the smile you once had: dental implants.

Dental implants are tooth replacements that look and function like real teeth. They are usually made of titanium and covered with either a bridge or a porcelain crown. This extremely beneficial dental technology does not decay, and are stain resistant. Aside from that, they are convenient, and very easy to clean and maintain.

Once a dental implant is installed, it can last for a lifetime, especially if you properly and diligently care for it. That said, it is vital that you adhere to good oral hygiene practices after a dental implant surgery. This means you'll need to brush and floss regularly. You may also need to have professional dental cleaning once every six months, depending on the recommendation of your dentist.

If you believe that a dental implant is the ideal solution for your tooth loss problem, talk to a dental implant specialist. He will assess your oral and dental condition to confirm if implants are indeed the best option for you.

Ways to Speed Up Healing After Oral Surgery

Oral surgery might be a dreadful thought for many, but the truth remains that it is often the best way to keep bacteria and disease from threatening your teeth, and to restore them to their former glory. However, if you're scheduled to go under the knife soon, it's only natural for you to feel anxious. Hence, to help ease your fear, take note of these steps that you can take to ensure a speedy recovery:

You could try gargling with saltwater after every meal, once in the morning and once before bedtime, since this serves to minimize the pain that post-surgery gum inflammation can cause. Keep the proportion to approximately ½ tsp. of salt in 8 oz. of warm water.

Don't use your ordinary toothbrush soon after oral surgery. Instead, buy a soft-bristled brush and use this for a few days to weeks, depending on the expected recovery time for your procedure or the orders of your doctor. When brushing, avoid the tooth and gum area where the procedure was done. Too much movement and pressure could dislodge implants, crowns, or fillings.

A great recovery tip would be to stay in touch with your dental surgeon even after the surgery, so as to report any untoward reactions or side effects that might occur and delay the healing process even further. Moreover, never take any painkiller (or any other medication for that matter) that your doctor did not directly prescribe for you.

Is it Time to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Of all the teeth in your mouth, your wisdom teeth (i.e. the last set of molars in both the upper and lower jaw) are among the last to grow. Most people start having them only when they're 16 to 25 years old. Unfortunately, since there may not be that much space left at the back of your teeth, this could mean that your wisdom teeth will grow abnormally.

Not enough space can cause wisdom teeth them to emerge only slightly or even come out horizontally. Thankfully, this doesn't happen to everyone, although some people may think about getting their wisdom teeth removed anyway. To dentists and oral surgeons, these teeth should only be removed if they grew abnormally (as mentioned above) since this increases the chances of bacterial infection in the mouth.

However it is done, wisdom teeth removal should happen early, preferably to people who fall under the aforementioned age range, since teenagers and young adults stand a better chance of recovering fully from such a surgery. In addition, the wisdom teeth of people within this age range are less likely to be firmly rooted, making them easier to extract. If you're interested in having your wisdom teeth removed, it is highly recommended that you consult with your general dentist first. 

Beautiful Teeth for Better Smiles

A beautiful smile can melt many people's hearts and open a lot of social opportunities. Likewise, a tight-lipped smirk can turn off people and get you nowhere. However, what makes for a pretty smile and why would some people rather hide their teeth with a sneer?

Most people do want to give their best smile, but there are times when they just couldn't because they're afraid to show their pearly whites. Oftentimes, it's a simple matter of missing teeth. People with complete set of white teeth usually want to show them off with their smiles, and the opposite is true for those with damaged or missing teeth—a smile may be too much of an effort.

Fortunately, these days a missing tooth (or even several teeth) is a problem that's easily solved with dental implants. An oral surgeon is the one that can provide you with this solution to your reluctance to give that elusive smile. With dental implants, you can have natural looking teeth back with hardly anyone noticing the difference.

Dental implants provide the appearance and comfort of natural teeth including improved speech. Have you heard or seen anybody talk with several teeth missing? It can certainly sound and look a bit awkward. Most importantly, dental implants restore your self esteem. Hence, if you're missing any tooth, don't lose any time getting in touch with your dentist, as dental implants can give your confidence that much needed boost.

How an Oral Surgeon Performs Bone Grafting

Denver offers a diverse culinary cuisine that also consists of staples like the Denver omelet and many fast-casual food concepts. However, you won't likely be able to enjoy much of the unique cuisine the city offers if you suffer from tooth loss and refuse to have dentures fitted because you believe they're unnatural and bothersome. Fortunately, a better alternative exists; a dental implant procedure will allow you to eat a variety of cuisine without the annoying hassles of dentures.

Not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure, however, as it requires a bone structure that is strong enough to hold the titanium posts that serve as the anchor for the replacement teeth. If the bones are weak or there is inadequate bone structure, there may be a need for the oral surgeon to perform bone grafting. This is a procedure similar to skin grafting, which is usually performed as part of cosmetic surgeries for burn victims.

Under the bone grafting procedure, a bone is obtained from your jaw, hip, or leg (although in some cases, the bone can also be taken from a tissue bank) and then transferred to where the dental implants are to be placed. Bone grafting is a complex procedure that requires the skills and training of an experienced oral surgeon and the sterile environment of an operating room. Afterwards, the patient will be required to stay in the hospital to give him enough time to recuperate. 

The Many Advantages of Dental Implants

A dental implant is acknowledged by most dentists to be the most effective tooth replacement process. As dental implants are attached securely and permanently into the jawbone, they have many significant advantages over other artificial tooth replacements, such as dentures and bridges.

In a dental implant process, a metal implant or post, typically made of titanium, is surgically inserted into the jawbone. The tissues around the jawbone are then expected to osseointegrate, or to bond with the implant. After the osseointegration period, an artificial crown is securely attached to an abutment from the metal post. The artificial crown and the implant then serves to function in the same manner as a real tooth's crown and root.

The permanent nature of dental implants greatly minimizes the risk of the crown falling off, which can frequently happen with dentures and bridges. This can give a dental implant user more confidence not only in eating and chewing food, but in common everyday actions, such as laughing or being physically active. Additionally, because dental implants are securely attached to the person's jawbone, the user's oral digestive functions are fully restored.

Unlike dentures and bridges, dental implants do not need the support of gums in chewing food. Prolonged use of dentures has been known to result to gum diseases because of the pressure exerted on the gum by the dentures. Hence, dental implants also serve to protect the gums and keep them healthy. 

Take It Off – Why Wisdom Teeth Have To Go

Wisdom teeth are usually those on the far end of any set of adult teeth; these are often the last to be developed. In older times, these were often removed as some sort of rite of passage for students going off to college. However, modern dental practices do warrant taking them out for various reasons.

As wisdom teeth will usually be the last teeth to be developed, there is a chance that overall growth will be stunted by the time a person reaches early adulthood. The result of this is the teeth partially erupting through the gums, bringing with it potential dangers of infection because a flap of gum still covers most of the tooth when they should be holding the lower roots instead. Some general dental practitioners may warn that keeping the wisdom teeth on raises the danger of cavities or gum disease, plus hamper any orthodontic treatments you may have in the future.

The adjacent teeth can be damaged if the wisdom teeth have grown at certain angles. These may be either growing towards the mouth, horizontally, or growing vertically but is impeded by the adjacent tooth. If left untended, they can trigger caries and endanger teeth.

Wisdom teeth should be extracted as circumstances warrant. The cost of not doing so may be worse. 

Where to Source Funds for Dental Implants

There is no question that dental implants are a necessity if having them would boost a person’s self confidence, enhance oral health, or improve one’s ability to speak or eat. Upon implantation, these artificial tooth roots act like the natural pearly whites that a patient lost; a feature or benefit that makes implants more preferable to dentures. Having a natural smile, though, can be costly.

Where to get the funds for this surgery? There is the zero-interest credit card, of course, which could be used for the sole purpose of financing the dental implant. Within a year or so, if the typical terms apply, the cost of implant will be covered. Timely payment is vital in this scheme.

Better yet (if you have an unquestionable credit score), secure a credit card that banks issue for dental and medical emergencies only. Payments for this plastic can be spread over a period of between three and 48 months so it will not be financially burdensome for the client.

The third source of funding for dental implants could come from the teeth doctor himself. Dental practitioners are usually aware of reputable financial institutions that agree to cover procedures that would improve health (this time, oral health). It would not hurt to ask the professional if he can put you on an easy payment scheme, if all potential fund sources fall through.

Oral Surgery May Resolve Obstructive Sleep Apnea Condition

Sleep apnea, a disorder that plagues millions of Americans that is usually dismissed as nothing more than a nuisance, should be taken less lightly because it has real and significant consequences. The condition obstructs an individual from normal breathing, preventing him from inhaling and exhaling breath for a period of 10 seconds or longer. In a regular sleep, a person suffering from the condition may experience this for hundreds of times.

Several signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, brief pauses in breathing, and gasping. As the breathing process is obstructed, oxygen levels in the blood drop and the person is interrupted from his sleep to resume breathing. Not getting a good night's sleep alone poses several problems to a person's well being which includes getting morning headaches, sleepiness in the morning, irritability, memory and learning problems, and poor concentration.

People who suffer from this problem should consult their physicians. Sometimes, they are advised to wear a CPAP mask. More serious cases, however, may require laser-assisted oral surgery. Oral surgeons will perform the procedure if an analysis of a person's x-ray reveals that the level of obstruction posed by a patient's facial feature may require clearing.

Sometimes, it is the shape and position of jawbones that needs correction. This is a more complex case that requires general anesthesia and may require at least 2 full days of hospital rest.

Common Types of Oral Surgery

Surgery is needed when an infection or a disease of the oral cavity has gone past the scope of basic medications. The procedure may involve teeth extraction, jawbone restructuring, and implantation. In some cases, oral surgery is performed for cosmetic purposes. Here are three of the most common types of oral surgery.

Extraction of Impacted Teeth

Most dental extraction procedures involve the wisdom teeth. Often, wisdom teeth grow misaligned and become impacted in the process. Teeth with this condition must be removed to prevent the area from swelling and experiencing severe irritation. Extraction allows the surrounding teeth to grow freely, and thus stops the pain and inflammation.

Implantation

Dental implants are used when replacing a missing tooth but the results are more permanent and closer to the qualities of a real tooth. Sometimes, the jawbone structure isn't fit to be implanted, forcing dental specialists to either trim the jawbone or add metal plates where the implant can attached. This requires an oral surgery since the modifications may invade the gum and bone structure within the oral cavity.

Root Canal

Cavities are a precursor to gum infection, especially if left unattended. When the infection spreads, the dentist has to deal with both the decaying tooth and the infected gum and bone tissues through a procedure called root canal treatment. This procedure is performed when there's a significant amount of tissues between the bone and the tooth infected.