Bone Grafting

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our staff works daily to supply our qualified patients with dental implants. In some cases, a patient might require a Bone Graft before being eligible. But what exactly is bone grafting?

Bone grafting occurs when a section of the jawbone associated with missing teeth begins to disintegrate. This leaves the bone in poor condition, either not strong enough or large enough to house implants. An x-ray will be taken to determine how much jaw bone is available. Depending on the results, a bone graft will be needed. Thanks to today's technology, our staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have the ability to grow bone where needed. The bone is acquired from a tissue bank, where we determine the necessary size and width. This also gives us a chance to guarantee the functionality and appearance of the graft.

Bone grafting can repair implant sites compromised due to previous extractions, structural damage, gum disease, and injuries. Once everything has been given the all clear, your bone graft surgery will be scheduled.

At the procedure, you will be brought under general anesthesia. An incision in the skin will open up where the graft is being placed. The bone will be put into place, held using: pins, plates, screws, wires, and/or cables. Afterward, the incision will be stitched and bandaged.

Recovery depends on the size of the graft and other health variables. Typical recovery can take place from two weeks to up to a year. Avoid vigorous activities as long as your doctor suggests. Make sure to follow all postoperative instructions received.

If you’re in need of an oral surgeon or bone graft surgery, schedule an appointment with the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania today. Our offices are located across the Philadelphia, PA area. You can visit our website to schedule an appointment, or call 215-463-4141.

 

Impacted Canines

Put simply, an impacted tooth is a stuck tooth that can’t fully emerge from the gums. Most cases of impacted teeth involve the third molar (wisdom) teeth. The second most common teeth to become impacted is the maxillary cuspid (upper eyetooth). At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our team can help with these canine impactions.

 

The cuspid teeth are crucial for biting. They are designed to be the first teeth that touch when your jaws close together, guiding the rest of your teeth into place. The cuspid teeth are usually the last teeth to come in. Upon impaction, the cuspid will make every effort to reach its proper spot on the dental arch.

 

It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontics that a panorex screening x-ray and examination be performed on all dental patients by the age of seven years old. This allows the dentist to predetermine any issues with the child's adult teeth. If by ages eleven to twelve the eruption pathway for the impacted tooth is clear, then most likely the tooth will emerge without intervention. If it hasn’t emerged by ages twelve to thirteen than other actions must be taken. Together, your orthodontist and oral surgeon will work with you to achieve the best possible result.

 

The most common outcome will start with the orthodontist placing braces onto the patient's teeth to create space for the impacted tooth. Once the space is clear, the next step is with the oral surgeon. At the surgeon's office, the gum covering the impacted tooth will be lifted. If there is a baby tooth present, it will be removed. A bracket with an attached chain will go onto the cuspid, attaching it back to the orthodontic wire. Shortly after surgery, the patient will return back to the orthodontist. A rubber band will be attached to the chain to gently force out the impacted tooth. It can take upwards of a year for the impacted tooth to fully emerge.

 

Dr. Bahram, Dr. Richman, Dr. Mohan, and Dr. Barunas are available at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offices across the Philadelphia, PA area. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call one of our four locations.