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…)
What Does an Oral Examination Reveal?
Oral examinations are a vital part of effective dental care. By routinely performing a comprehensive exam, or checkup, your dentist can accurately diagnose existing dental issues and recommend appropriate, custom treatment options. But what exactly does your oral examination reveal, and what can it tell your dentist about your dental health?
During an exam, your dentist will perform a visual inspection and use digital imaging technology to inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth and throat tissues to ensure that everything is healthy. If an issue prevents itself, such as one of those listed below, then your dentist will consult with you to explain your condition and your options for addressing it. (more…)
Explaining Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants are small, titanium cylinders that are surgically inserted into your jawbone, and are used as an anchor for your replacement teeth. In some cases, a dental implant procedure may include visiting one specialist to place the implant posts, and another to secure your dental crown, bridge, or denture to them. At Cerritos Dental Surgery, however, Dr. Hofkes can place your dental implant posts and restore them with a lifelike prosthesis, all in the same office. (more…)
Ask Yourself If You Exhibit Sleep Apnea Symptoms
You might not even realize that you snore unless the noise is loud enough to disturb your sleeping partner. Likewise, you might not realize that you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea unless you start to experience one or more of its related side effects. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA for short, affects more people than many realize, despite the fact that its most prominent symptom is loud, abrasive snoring. To determine if you should seek a sleep apnea assessment from your dentist, ask yourself if you exhibit any of the following sleep apnea symptoms. (more…)
Do You Have Questions About Wisdom Teeth?
Do you have any questions about wisdom teeth? Many people have questions about these extra molars that arrive just as a person enters adulthood. They can oftentimes be harmful to your smile’s health and lead to serious discomfort. Fortunately, we can comfortably and safely remove them to improve your smile’s health.
