ALVEOLOPLAST

An alveoplasty is a type of surgery that smooths the jawbone. This procedure is done in areas where teeth have been removed or lost. Alveoplasty can be done alone, but is usually done at the same time that teeth are extracted. We perform this procedure in each of our Philadelphia, PA area offices and offer anesthetic options for patients who suffer from dental phobia.

 

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we recommend this procedure to our patients who have recently had several teeth extracted. When you have a tooth removed, there is a hole left in the jawbone. An alveoplasty allows the gums to be stitched closed over the hole. When your dentist at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania removes a tooth, he or she leaves an open socket that fills with a blood clot.

 

After the gums have healed, there are often high and low points in the bone that can make it difficult to fit a denture or implant properly. We use this procedure to smooth lumps in the jawbone or to flatten or taper the jaw's ridge. Besides smoothing the jawbone, alveoplasty also speeds healing after multiple teeth are extracted.

 

If you are thinking about getting an alveoplasty and have questions about procedures that must be performed for you, do call us directly at 215-463-4141.

Dental Implants

Do you have a missing tooth?  Whether your smile gap is accidental or your tooth has been extracted, it’s still important to have your smile restored.  Dental implants are one of the best ways to restore the natural look and feel of your smile.  Compared to other tooth prosthetics, dental implants have unique advantages that set them above the rest. 

 

If you are not sure which dental restoration is best for your smile, our team here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is always happy to help.  Just arrange an appointment at our office for a consultation.  For many patients, dental implants have proven to be a successful restoration with a number of benefits:

• There is no need to modify the surrounding teeth or rely on adjacent teeth for support.  Dental implants stand alone.
• They can be placed anywhere within the mouth, serving as a great replacement for teeth in the front or back of your smile. 
• Dental implants can be used to restore a single tooth, or entire rows of teeth through multiple implants.
• They provide patients with a natural look and feel that makes the restorative indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.
• Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups

Frenectomy

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our team regularly performs restorative surgical procedures. A common procedure we perform is a frenectomy. Simply put, a frenectomy is a procedure to remove the frenum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth. This naturally occurring muscle attachment is normally seen between the front teeth (either upper or lower) and it connects the inner aspect of the lip with the gum.

 

Most patients who come to us for a frenectomy have enlarged frena beneath their tongues. This prevents their tongue from moving freely and can interfere with speech due to limited tongue mobility. A lingual frenectomy will remove the fold of tissue so your tongue can once again move freely. This is mostly seen in children who suffer from the following symptoms:

• Trouble feeding
• Difficulty speaking
• Lack of ability to extend tongue out of their mouth
• The frenum pulling child’s gum tissue away from the lower front teeth

There are times where the frenum is attached between the two upper front teeth. In order to remove it, a procedure called a labial frenectomy is performed. This condition is usually seen in children after their permanent upper front teeth have erupted in their mouths.

 

Visit us in our Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom, PA location to learn more about this procedure and whether or not you are in need of it. For more information about this procedure, please visit www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

How Smoking Affects Post Op Extractions

Following a tooth extraction, the mouth should be carefully protected to minimize any risk of complications or compromise in healing.  This is an especially important consideration for smokers. Smoking cigarettes within the first forty-eight hours of a tooth extraction could increase the risk of treatment site complications, including the development of a dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. The risk is greatly increased within the first few hours of the post op, so it’s best to avoid cigarettes for as long as possible.

 

While tobacco can be harmful to long term oral health, the immediate issue of smoking after an extraction is the inhaling and pressure in the mouth that occurs in the physical act of smoking.  This can worsen pain and complicate healing. If you cannot go for an extended time without a cigarette, it may be best to prepare for your extraction procedure and post op by using a nicotine patch several days prior to your appointment.

 

For complete information on how you can prepare for your extraction and ensure a speedy, healthy recovery, visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.