When Is a Tooth Extraction the Answer? Part One

Few, if any, patients want to hear from their dentist that they require an extraction. A tooth extraction can seem a scary prospect, particularly if you are unfamiliar with how the procedure works or how your smile will look or function after the removal of the tooth or teeth. Fortunately, a skilled oral surgeon can help keep you comfortable during a tooth extraction, and then help provide you with a prosthetic, afterwards, that both looks and feels natural. So if you’re struggling with a painful infection, a partially impacted wisdom tooth, or any other oral health issue that requires an extraction, don’t worry. This treatment, followed by the placement of a prosthetic, could actually help you smile, chew, laugh and more, comfortably and just as importantly, confidently once again! (more…)

Could You Be Struggling with Sleep Apnea?

Loud snoring can be an annoyance to both you and your loved ones. Many a family vacation has been interrupted by the loud sounds of dad’s (or mom’s) snoring, and even residing in the same room can be problematic for couples with one loud snorer. Unfortunately, snoring can sometimes be a symptom of a much more critical underlying health condition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Fortunately, it is possible to treat OSA, helping to improve a person’s sleep, and his or her overall quality of life. If you could be struggling with sleep apnea, now is a great time to learn how your dentist might be able to help. (more…)

Would Sedation Make Dental Care Easier for You?

Sometimes, protecting your smile’s integrity requires a little more work than just a regular checkup and cleaning. For patients who require complex procedures, or who are afraid of the dentist’s chair, sedation can be a deciding factor in their dental health care. Whether you need extensive treatment, feel anxious about receiving your treatment, or have special needs that make visiting the dentist difficult, you have a variety of sedation options to help make your dental care easier and more comfortable. (more…)

A Look at Oral Surgery

Did you know that dentistry, like medicine, has its own surgical field? Oral surgeons undergo extensive training and experience to gain the expertise necessary for handling the most complex and demanding oral health issues. To help you understand the importance of oral surgery, we take a look at just a few of the procedures that oral surgeons are specially prepared to perform. (more…)

Am I a Candidate for Jawbone Grafting?

In general, routine dental care is pretty straight-forward. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day, attend checkups and cleanings as often as recommended, and when necessary, don’t hesitate to undergo a particular treatment. Sometimes, however, dental issues can cause more damage to your oral health than you realize, and a more extensive procedure, like oral surgery, may be necessary. For instance, dental conditions like gum disease and tooth loss can cause significant damage to your jawbone, causing it to lose strength and density. If this describes you, then you might be a candidate for jawbone grafting, especially if you wish to receive one or more dental implants. (more…)

How Do I Know If My Toothache is an Emergency?

Toothaches are not pleasant, but you might not consider yours an emergency if it isn’t severe. The truth is that an aching tooth might not pose an immediate threat to your dental health, but if not treated, it can grow worse and become a serious threat.

The question remains, however, should you schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist immediately, or just wait until your next dental checkup and cleaning? Unless your next appointment is tomorrow, then you might want to consider the following when deciding if your toothache is a dental emergency. (more…)

Why Adult Tooth Loss Happens

Although it happens often, losing your adult teeth isn’t something that comes naturally with age. Actually, it’s something you can avoid if you protect your dental health from the most common causes of tooth loss.

Even if you do lose an adult tooth, the good news is that it can be replaced, and your smile saved, with a lifelike prosthesis – such as a dental implant. By restoring the vital functions of your lost tooth and its root(s), a dental implant can help you preserve your long-term dental health and prevent further tooth loss. (more…)

How Much Do You Know About Tooth Extraction?

Extracting a tooth might not seem like the most appealing prospect. Nevertheless, given the prevalence of severe dental issues and trauma, tooth extraction remains a vital procedure for patients with one or more teeth that are beyond saving.

Still, preventing the need to remove the tooth in the first place is preferable, and understanding tooth extraction and why it is required can help you better preserve your natural, healthy smile. (more…)

When Should I Start Worrying About Wisdom Teeth?

“Wisdom teeth” is the common, informal name for your third set of permanent molars, and they are often associated with a number of dental health complications. As the last teeth to erupt, wisdom teeth do not typically become problematic until early adulthood, and for some patients, the molars may never cause any trouble at all.

The problem with wisdom teeth is that they do not always grow correctly, becoming impacted by molars that are already there and causing sometimes-severe dental discomfort, and more. If you’re wondering when you should start worrying about wisdom teeth, then speak with your dentist as soon as possible to determine if you should consider extracting them. (more…)