What to Expect and How to Plan for After Oral Surgery

If you need oral surgery, you have come to the right place.  We are experts and can complete your surgery quickly and with efficiency.  This is critical because not every dentist is an expert oral surgeon, so you need to ask what percentage of their practice is surgical and how frequently they perform this particular procedure.  Having this information at hand will enable you to determine who the best provider is for your particular situation.  As with anything, the more frequently a dentist performs surgery, the better they will be.

Regardless of what type of surgery you have, there will be a recovery process.  Surgery, in its very nature, is invasive so you cannot expect to have an operation and head back to normal life the moment you step off of the operating table.  Instead, it is better to have a realistic expectation and make preparations for how you will feel.  We like to start by advising you to have someone with a comfortable car drive you home.  We perform operations under anesthesia so you will probably feel sleepy when we are done.   If you can have someone drive you home and put you to bed, you will probably sleep for several hours, making the recovery go by faster.

The day before your oral surgery, you should prepare by eating a large dinner.  Unless you have diabetes, you will probably not be allowed to eat for twelve hours before the procedure so make sure that your dinner is filling and contains protein for sustained energy.  You should also get your bed ready with extra pillows that are positioned so you can recline, rather than lay flat on your bed.  We also recommend putting water bottles on your nightstand along with a bottle of ibuprofen and some pudding snacks, or other food that is room temperature and soft, since you won't be able to eat anything significant for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

You should also purchase some soft ice packs from the drug store.  Buy several so that you don't have to wait for the one you are using to freeze again before placing it back onto your face.  You can use ice for fifteen minutes at a time with fifteen-minute breaks in between.  This will help the swelling to be reduced so that you can feel comfortable and heal faster.  If you have someone to help with this process – excellent.  If not, try to prepare as much as you can ahead of time so that you won't have to get out of bed and can focus on relaxing during your recovery.

We will also give you an antibiotic to take to help reduce the risk of an infection along with gauze to stop and control the bleeding.  If you have any problems during the first 24 to 48 hours after oral surgery, call our office so that we can advise you as to the next steps.  Otherwise, once 48 hours have passed the swelling should be all or mostly gone and you can start to eat the majority of foods again as long as you continue to avoid anything that is sharp like pretzels or chips.

Implant Dentist  >  Dental Implants

An Implant Dentist Compares Dentures, Dental Bridge, and Implants?

As an implant dentist, we specialize in replacing teeth using a permanent solution – dental implants.  We feel that this is the best option for replacing missing teeth, however, we understand that it can be confusing to understand all of the options since both dentures and dental bridges are also used to replace teeth.  While they all provide a viable option, there are clear pros and cons to each and with that in mind, here is what you need to know –

• Dentures.  This method of replacing teeth has been common for hundreds of years with even our Founding Fathers wore dentures made of animal bone and human teeth.  These dentures were smelly and didn't last very long but, fortunately, technology has improved and today's dentures are made of a synthetic materials that mimic the appearance of your natural gums and teeth.  They can last for a long time and provide you with a way to eat and speak, without major issues.  When wearing dentures, however, it can be difficult to eat certain harder foods and those with a full set may even lose some of the flavor sensations that they used to have.  Simultaneously, if the fit isn't perfect, they can slip out of place or make a clicking sound when eating or speaking.  They must also be removed at night and soaked, so they do require adjusting your daily routine somewhat.
• Dental bridges.  Those wearing a dental bridge, have a more permanent tooth replacement option that can look natural.  As an implant dentist, we even have some patients that combine the concept of a bridge with implants by having a set of teeth prepared and then implanted as a unit, rather than one at a time.  Traditionally, however, when people wear dental bridges, they are placed by securing a dental crown onto the two teeth that are surrounding the missing one, then these crowns hold the bridge and synthetic tooth or teeth in place.  Once secure, it is possible to eat most if not all, foods, and the bridge looks entirely natural and shouldn't slip out of place.  The main challenge with a bridge is that your other teeth must be in place and strong enough to withstand the procedure.  This will, however, make permanent changes to the makeup of those teeth that cannot be reversed. 
• Dental implants.  As an implant dentist, we prefer this solution because an implant doesn't require the strength or existence of any other teeth but can rely on its own strength that is gained through a process called osseointegration.  In this procedure, a titanium post is implanted under the gums and secured to the jawbone.  The bone and metal will fuse together to create a root system that the new tooth is attached to.  With a new root system in place, the new tooth behaves like a natural one and is just as durable.  Medically, the main benefit to this solution over the others is that the implant will actually strengthen the jawbone and prevent future bone loss. 

To learn more about working with an implant dentist, call and schedule a consultation.

Dental Implants  >  Implant Dentistry

The Importance of Implant Dentistry for Your Overall Health

We perform implant dentistry procedures for patients that have lost one or several teeth.  Losing teeth is an unfortunate reality of adulthood.  It is common for adults to lose at least one tooth in their lifetime, in spite of advances in dental care.  This can be due to poor oral hygiene, a lack of dental care, or an accident.  Regardless of why a tooth has fallen out, replacing it is critical for the health of your jaw and your body.  

Many people make the mistake of thinking that replacing a tooth is about vanity or keeping their smile intact.  This is an important part of it, but there are greater health reasons for undergoing the procedure.  When a tooth falls out, the roots do as well, and the roots are important for the ongoing health of the jaw.  They help to strengthen it, and when a person has lost too many teeth, the jaw can actually become weaker.  With implants surgery, a titanium post is inserted under the gums and screwed into the jawbone. While this may sound uncomfortable, we will provide you with sedation to ensure that you feel well during the procedure.  This aspect of the procedure is critical to helping your jaw to remain strong.  Through the process of osseointegration, the metal post and jawbone will fuse together, similar to how a natural root would.  As a result, your jaw will be strengthened, and the shape of your face preserved. 

The importance of jaw preservation cannot be overstated and if you look at pictures of people that have lost teeth you can see why. Once a tooth has fallen out the alveolar bone will start to decrease in height, width and volume.  In the first year alone, twenty-five percent of this bone can be lost.  As the starts to deteriorate the gums around it will also be compromised, and if left untreated, this can greatly influence your ability to eat and speak clearly.  Over time, more of the bone structure will be lost until the face starts to have a sagging appearance unless you undergo an implant dentistry procedure.  

When the back teeth are lost only, some people don’t see the importance of getting dental implants since this area cannot be seen when smiling.  It is, however, incredibly important because when the back molars are lost the front teeth have the burden of supporting the jaw.  They were not designed to do so and have difficulty supporting the weight.  This can cause the space in between your nose and chin to shrink, further impacting your appearance. 

While bone loss does play a major role in your appearance, it can also be dangerous to your health.  As the jaw becomes weakened, it is more susceptible to breaking. Even a slight bump or something like a basic car wreck can then cause a major break and subsequent surgical procedures to be required. This can be avoided by replacing missing teeth with implant dentistry that can in turn strengthen the jawbone and prevent further damage to your health or appearance. 

What Causes Gum Recession and How it is Treated

In our office, we treat gum recession on a regular basis and as such, are able to help our patients feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of bone and tooth loss that can come from a receding gum line.  Healthy gums are essential to the overall health of the mouth.  While most people focus their attention on the health of teeth, without the gums, the tooth structure and roots are exposed to bacteria and infection. With this in mind, a receding gum line is more than a cosmetic problem. 

Receding gums are often caused by genetics, something that, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.  There are, however, ways that you can improve the overall health of your gums and prevent them from receding or at least slow down the process.  It starts with what you put into your mouth.  Unhealthy habits like smoking, chewing tobacco or drinking alcohol in excess are bad for the health of your mouth and increase your risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease.  What you eat also plays an important role and by focusing on eating lean protein, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, and nuts, you can improve the health of your teeth and gums whereas foods that are high in sugar or acidic can attack your teeth and promote gum disease.  For this reason, focus on developing healthy habits in order to lower your risk factors. 

We have also treated patients that suffered from gum recession not due to a lack of oral health care, but by going overboard.  As with most things, moderation is the key so avoid brushing your teeth more than three times a day and use a soft or electronic toothbrush when you do.  Over-brushing and aggressive brushing can irritate your gum tissue and cause it to start receding.  You can get just as good of a clean by using a soft brush and brushing in a circular pattern, pushing bacteria away from your gums. 

Treatment Options
If you are suffering from gum recession now, you are likely experiencing some level of discomfort and are at an increased risk for developing infections.  In order to correct the problem and restore your gum tissue, we have several methods for treating it.  The traditional way is to perform a gum graft surgery.  In this scenario, tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth, or from a donor, and grafted to your gums in order to close the pockets and surround the tooth structure as it should be.  This procedure is often necessary for addressing major gum recession, and while you may be sore for a few days, it is extremely effective for protecting your teeth going forward.  

Those that are looking for a less invasive procedure may benefit from pinhole surgical rejuvenation.  To complete this procedure, we will create a small pin-size hole in the gum tissue, insert instruments and wiggle them around to expand the gum tissue.  It can then be secured to the tooth, accomplishing the same goal as a gum graft but without any cutting, sutures, or prolonged recovery time. 

Learn When You Should See a Sleep Dentist

A sleep dentist is the dentist you should see if you are one of the many people that is terrified of spending time in a dentist’s chair. For many people, the idea of getting dental work done bring about extreme anxiety, bordering on terror. Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, has risen to the challenge of giving these people the best dental treatment they can get while reducing, or eliminating altogether, the fear of being treated by a dentist. Before you consider getting dental work done, you should know that most dentists have been trained, and are extremely adept at using psychological measures to help put your mind at ease so that you can get through the most dental procedures without the need for sedation. 

If sleep dentistry is an option you choose, you should make sure that you do so for the right reasons. Like with most things, there are good reasons for getting sedation dentistry and there are reasons to not get sedation. What we ask is that you take stock of your levels of anxiety and decide if you can tolerate the treatment with an empathetic dentist and calming measures or if you feel like it is intolerable and will need sedation administered by a certified sleep dentist. 

Here are some of the reasons you should work with a sleep dentist to receive sedation – 

You are going to be undergoing an extremely invasive procedure that could take time and is extremely complex. If you may be unable to hold still and remain calm for the duration of the procedure, going to sleep may be the best option for you.  In cases like this, it may be better for the patient to be asleep during the procedure. 

You know that despite the best efforts of the dentist and despite having an extremely empathetic dental team, you will need a little bit more. In a case like this, you may be able to have a lower level of sedation like nitrous, also known as laughing gas. If you need more than laughing gas, discuss this with us as a sleep dentist. 

If you believe that the only way, you can get through the procedure, is by being completely out of it, then you will want to discuss this with your dentist. For some people being out of it and completely unaware of what is going on during the procedure is the only way to get through it, in which case having a general anesthesia may be the best option for you. 

Finally, if you have extreme fear associated with a particular part of the procedure, you may want to consider working with a sleep dentist. For example, if you have an extreme fear of needles or a dental drill, sedation is probably the best option for you and the if necessary, you can even go to sleep during the procedure. 

In our office, we want to ensure that every patient is completely comfortable during their dental treatments.  Let us know about any anxieties or fears you have so that we can create a sedation plan to help you. 

Pinhole Surgical Rejuvenation Is An Easy Treatment for Your Gums

Occasionally new procedures, like pinhole surgical rejuvenation, are invented by doctors who have a passion for less invasive and less painful methods of resolving common problems. Most surgeries are painful processes, with dental surgery being no exception. The very nature of surgery makes it invasive as we strive to correct challenging health problems. From root canals to gum grafting, oral surgery has long been high on the list of things people fear. Many of these concerns are caused by overinflated stories or the use of antiquated methods from years ago. Additionally, many patients are concerned about there being a great deal of time needed for recovery after having a surgery like a gum grafting. 

Pinhole surgical rejuvenation was invented by Dr. Chao in order to treat gum recession in a way that was more comfortable and less invasive. Almost all humans have some level of gum recession, making it an extremely common condition. Most people are unaware that their gums are excessively receding because of the length of time it takes to occur. The first sign, which a patient may notice, is tooth sensitivity or a tooth that looks longer than the ones surrounding it. It is important that you get gum recession checked out and treated by, a dentist to avoid further damage to the gums. As far back as most dentists can remember, gum recession has been treated with a gum grafting surgery which is extremely invasive and requires a long time for healing. This has changed with the non-invasive, quick, and revolutionary pinhole surgical rejuvenation procedure. 

The question is why does gum recession occur in the first place? 

Insufficient dental care is one of the major factors that influence the loss of gum tissue. When a person does not brush and floss their teeth adequately, or does not make at least bi-annual trips to the dentist for a checkup and a professional cleaning, there is always a chance that the gums could start to recede. Repeated treatments, to remove built up plaque, could lead to gum recession as well. 

A recent study found that more than 30% of people are more susceptible to gum diseases, which could lead to the recession of the gums and, eventually, the need for pinhole surgical rejuvenation. For these people, regardless of how much they care for their teeth they may end up with serious gum problems including the gums starting to recede. 

Periodontal disease is perhaps the most obvious reason a person’s gums might start to recede. A bacterial infection that directly attacks the gums, periodontal disease also affects the bone that holds your teeth in place. It is the main cause of gum recession. Other factors including hormonal changes, found most frequently in pregnant women, the use of tobacco products, and grinding or clenching your teeth have also been found to lead to the gums receding. Additionally crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can place excessive force on the gums which could cause them to recede. One final cause of gum recession, worth noting because of fashion trends today, are lip and tongue piercings which can rub against the gums causing irritation and wear.

Fortunately, regardless of what has caused your gums to recede, pinhole surgical rejuvenation can improve your gum health in a non-invasive and comfortable way.

What Oral Surgery and a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

As a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon we can provide our patients with greater options in what they can achieve in regards to their oral health and appearance.  A traditional dentist typically focusses on preventative care and general dentistry procedures. We handle more complicated cases in order to solve oral health concerns. 

Our first objective is to ensure that our patients are in excellent oral health. With this in mind, we regularly perform procedures like gum grafts and deep cleanings in order to remove bacteria and treat gum disease.  As bacteria cause the gums to become irritated, they will start to recede or pull away from the tooth.  This creates pockets in the gum tissue and the need for a gum graft to be completed in order to seal up the pockets and secure the gums around the tooth.  This type of treatment helps a patient’s appearance and health. 

For those that don’t have a problem with the health of their gums but don’t like how they look, we can help with that as well.  As a cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon, we can remove excessive gum tissue that makes a smile look “gummy”.  This is a common condition that can make teeth appear too small.  We can remove this extra tissue and contour the gums so that they appear more normal in size and shape. 

We can also use our cosmetic dentistry skills to craft an entirely new smile. Those that don’t like the appearance of their teeth or are missing several natural teeth can benefit from having dental implants.  This procedure is becoming wildly popular as a way to create the perfect looking smile.  As a surgeon, we implant a metal post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This is done for every tooth that is being replaced.  The bone and metal will fuse together over the course of several months and by doing so a new root system will be created.  This synthetic root system is just as strong as a natural one, and it allows the new tooth to remain independent of the surrounding teeth.  This promotes long term oral health.

As a cosmetic dentist, we find that our patients love their implants because they look like natural teeth.  It is difficult, if not impossible to tell the difference between an implant and natural tooth because the crown used to replace the natural one, will be created in the size, shape, and shade of the surrounding teeth.  Since the crown is attached to a new root system, it is also durable enough for you to eat all of your favorite foods, run a marathon, sing your heart out and stay active without fear of it falling out.  

When it comes time to replacing teeth or restoring damaged ones, visiting a cosmetic dentist that is also an oral surgeon will provide you with the most options for doing so.  Our expertise allows our patients to love their smile every day.