When a Dental Implant Fails

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, they are one of the most reliable long-term methods of tooth replacement. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are a variety of internal and external factors that cause complications or even total failure of treatment. When this happens, the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are here to help.

Osseointegration describes the formation of a direct functional and structural connection between a person’s bone and an artificial implant. There are two primary reasons for “later” implant failure after the osseointegration process has been successful. These include over-stressing implants with too much biting force, or inflammatory disease of the gum tissues and/or bone around the implant. Prevention plays a tremendous role in avoiding implant failure. Once the implants are placed, it’s crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Make sure you have regular professional dental cleanings to help keep the tissues around your implants healthy.

If you are considering dental implants, contact us at one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today to see if you are eligible. For more information about dental implants, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141.

Diet and Dental Erosion

As much as we would love to see your smile here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we do want you to keep your permanent teeth healthy. You know you should brush your teeth twice a day, and see your dentist regularly, but your diet also plays a role in the health of your teeth.

A diet that promotes good oral health is not just about the foods you eat or avoid – when and how you eat them is equally important. Dental erosion or the loss of tooth enamel and at times deeper parts of the tooth due to chemicals has numerous causes.  These causes range from dietary factors such as fruits, juices and candies with high concentrations of citric acid and carbonated beverages. Dental erosion can also be caused by reflux disease or gastritis to the prolonged oral retention of medications such as vitamin C or aspirin. To maintain a balanced diet and to reduce harm on your teeth, eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups and limit the number of snacks you eat.

For more information about oral surgery procedures, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.  

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

If wisdom teeth don’t really supply us with wisdom, then what purpose do they serve? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth, or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of teeth. Fast forward to today, and take a look at what we are eating and more importantly how we are preparing our food. We cut, dice, chop, boil, steam and bake everything we eat.

Chewing these tough, coarse, and rugged foods required a broader jaw, and strong molars – including the wisdom teeth. Having all three molars was vital, in order for our ancestors to be able to eat the foods necessary for survival. These days, however, all of the food preparation has made eating easy to accomplish, in fact experts believe that our jaw line has become less broad and smaller over the years due to how food is prepared and consumed.

Many times, however, wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow properly and can cause problems. When they do, the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can provide you with the best care possible. For more information about wisdom teeth, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.