The trouble with wisdom teeth, or third molars, is that, even though they grow naturally, your dental ridges might not be able to accommodate them. If so, then their growth can lead to a host of increasingly more serious issues, including dental damage and worsening discomfort. Besides alleviating pain, the benefits of impacted wisdom tooth removal also include improved long-term dental health, which we explain by examining the nature of impacted third molars. (more…)
What’s Wrong with Dry Mouth?
When you first wake up in the morning, on an especially hot day, or when you simply haven’t had a drink in a while, dry mouth is common, and is characteristically an uncomfortable feeling. Usually, drinking water can eliminate your discomfort, but how do you find relief when your mouth refuses to produce saliva? Today, we describe what chronic dry mouth, called xerostomia, can mean for your oral health, and what you can do to combat it. (more…)
When Should I Choose Dental Sedation?
In dentistry, sedation is used in a number of different cases, from patients who require extensive restorative work to those who experience fear and anxiety at the prospect of visiting the dentist. With the goal of making your visit more pleasant and your procedure more comfortable, sedation dentistry has helped many patients receive dental care that they might otherwise choose not to receive. Today, we explore the advantage of dental sedation, and why you might choose it to help improve your oral health. (more…)
Does Your Snoring Point to Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is a common problem, but other than disturbing those around you, the noisy habit is typically dismissed as little more than annoying. Sometimes, however, excessive snoring can be indicative of a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, which can deprive you of rest even though it doesn’t fully wake you up. Today, we explore the problem of sleep apnea, and how you can detect it even if no one is around to complain. (more…)
In-Depth Oral Examinations for Better Dental Health
Effective general dental care relies heavily on routine examinations that allow your dentist to inspect your teeth, gums, and oral tissues for signs of developing issues. Through your regular checkups, you can reduce your risks of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as the need for restorative dental care to address them. By contrast, an in-depth examination from your oral surgeon includes a specialized oral pathology examination to check for and diagnose serious diseases, including oral cancer. (more…)
Answering Questions About Wisdom Tooth Extraction
“Wisdom teeth” is the common nickname given to the third and last set of molars that many adults grow. Depending on how yours have grown, they may pass unnoticed, seem slightly uncomfortable, or cause severe, near-debilitating discomfort. Because of the problems that often accompany your third molars, they are the most-frequently extracted types of adult teeth. In fact, many patients choose to remove their wisdom teeth before problems begin to avoid the restorative work that may be necessary later. (more…)
When Oral Surgery is the Best Option
Oral surgery is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating deformities, injuries, and invasive diseases in or near the mouth. More involved than general dental care, oral surgery is often required to correct deep-seated foundational problems that can affect your mouth’s proper function, or when dental disease penetrates deeply enough to require surgery to extract it. As part of our dedication to helping you maintain all aspects of your oral health, we explore some of the conditions that may require the expertise of an oral surgeon. (more…)
Test Your Knowledge Of Dental Implant Terms
Thinking about visiting us for dental implant placement to restore your smile? We think you are making a wonderful decision that will have a lasting and positive impact on your quality of life and your oral health. Though we assume that you are likely equally excited and confident about your decision, you may find that the closer you get to beginning treatment, the more you would like to make sure you know exactly what we are talking about when we discuss placement and recovery. To make sure you know what’s what, your best bet is to ensure you are familiar with the main terms associated with implants. Ready to see how much you know and to sharpen your vocabulary a bit? Take the following quiz:
Reasons to Feel Confident About Oral Surgery
You may feel a bit concerned when we suggest oral surgery to protect your oral health. After all, this is certainly a bit more complicated than a simple dental filling. However, we would like to reassure you that we only recommend surgery when it becomes essential to protecting the short- and long-term health of your smile. For instance, if you are suffering from painful or poorly developing wisdom teeth, removing them will address immediate symptoms, while preventing long-term damage. Rather than suffering from anxiety regarding your upcoming appointment, we encourage you to learn more about what to expect. You will find that choosing to improve your oral health with surgery is actually a surprisingly straightforward, comfortable process.
What Should I Do About My Missing Teeth?
Patients often come to us with spaces in their mouths as the result of a variety of causes. You may have suffered from periodontal disease, which left your jawbone too damaged to support your teeth and you are now ready to restore your smile. Some patients suffer accidental traumas or infections that result in the loss of a tooth. Other patients visit us will complete tooth loss, ready to enjoy a complete smile once more. Whatever your particular tooth loss pattern or experiences, the best thing you can to protect your oral health is to replace your missing teeth. Fortunately, we offer solutions like dental implants to fill the openings in your smile, so you can enjoy a fully rejuvenated grin and daily quality of life.
