Thursday, June 27, 2019

Soft Tissue/Gum Grafts

It may seem redundant, but brushing and flossing every day is necessary for your oral health. Neglecting your dental routine leads to periodontal (gum) disease. The early stages, like Gingivitis, can be reversed. Advanced stages require aggressive treatments like Soft Tissue or Gum Grafts. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offer this procedure to our patients. Contact our offices in the Philadelphia, Folsom, and the Clifton Heights areas.


 


An unclean mouth attracts hordes of bacteria, leaving plaque on your teeth. Gingivitis occurs when these bacteria attack the soft tissues or gums. They become inflamed and painful. Eventually, the bacteria create large pockets. Dr. Bahram and his staff can clean these out, but they’ll still be visible. An abnormal amount of tooth structure will be showing. It’s not only aesthetically displeasing but dangerous too.


 


 


A soft tissue/gum graft is the perfect solution. It restores and heals the gums to their natural state of being. Dr. Bahram begins by applying a local anesthetic to the area. He’ll remove healthy gum tissue from other areas of the mouth, like the roof. It’s stretched out and stitched on the injured area. The results are a newly covered tooth. A successful graft encourages new tissue to grow. The end results are a fresh and healthy looking mouth.


 


Following your post-operative instructions is the only way to guarantee a successful recovery. The healing process takes upward of two weeks. Avoid eating harder foods during this time. Do not engage in any form of vigorous exercise. Don’t brush or floss near the treatment site. If you’re worried or experience signs of an infection, contact Dr. Bahram or your physician immediately. Antibiotics may be prescribed.


 


Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have four office locations in the PA area. Contact each office in the Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights areas. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff are available by appointment. Visit our website to learn more.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Dry Mouth

There’s an endlessly long list of reasons why it’s important to get a six-month dental examination. One of them is to get treatment for Dry Mouth, also known as Xerostomia. It’s a lack of saliva in the mouth. The dryness makes it difficult to talk, eat, and drink. Talking to Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can get you on the path to treatment. We have four available locations in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Contact us to learn more.


 


Patients with untreated dry mouth experience a lower quality of life. Besides the discomfort of the condition, it can lead to heightened dental problems. The lowered amounts of saliva attract bacteria. It functions like a natural cleansing solution for your mouth. Without it, patients report increased amounts of plaque.


 


Dr. Bahram may ask a few questions to help determine the cause of your dryness. There is a dense amount of medications that can cause dryness. This includes types that treat pain, blood pressure, and even allergies. An autoimmune disorder can also be the case. Sjögren's syndrome is a systematic disease that targets the salivary glands. A side effect of chemotherapy and many cancer treatments results in dryness. Lastly, smoking commonly produces dry mouth.


 


Your recommended treatment varies depending on the root of the problem. This can include eliminating certain foods and drinks from your diet. Sugar is known to dry out the mouth. Cut back on coffee, soft drinks, tea, and alcohol. Talk to your doctor about any medications you take frequently and whether they can be at fault. Try increasing the amount of water you intake too. This should moisten your mouth. There are also products designed specifically for treating dry mouth. Most grocery stores sell different varieties of dry mouth gel. There are also products like toothpaste and mouthwashes that target your symptoms.


 


Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff are available by appointment at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. Our offices are in four separate locations in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, PA. Visit our website to learn more or call today.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

What To Do When A Dental Implant Fails

Dental implants are a common surgical procedure where a trained dental professional inserts artificial roots into the jaws. These are then used to replace missing teeth or correct damaged dental devices. It can take a few months to a year to heal from the procedure. But what happens if you don’t recover, forcing the implant to fail? Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can help. He and his team are available at four different locations in Folsom, Philadelphia, and Clifton Heights, PA.


 


It’s important to keep in touch with Dr. Bahram’s team during the healing process. If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact us immediately. This includes the implant feeling loose, pain, swelling or infection, and bleeding. There are factors that can put you at risk. If you are a smoker, it’s best to stop smoking entirely throughout the healing process. Certain conditions like gum disease and bruxism can cause damage to the implant. Osteoporosis diminishes your bone strength, making it difficult for the implant to anchor. Make sure to discuss any daily medications with our staff to ensure there aren’t any negative interactions.


 


Short-term implant failure is simple to treat. Dr. Bahram will remove the damaged implant. But what happens if an implant fails in the long run? If the implant has already healed and been restored, treatment is much more advanced. Common long-term failure is caused by Peri-implantitis. This is a serious and chronic infection in the bone and gums. Treatment varies by patient and severity. Frequent dental examinations are a must, with laser therapy and surgery needed to restore the bone. Antibiotics are used as a supplement to other treatments. Other long-term problems are easier to fix. These usually involve prosthetic issues like fractures or damage.


 


Talk to Dr. Bahram about preventing any complications. Any changes to your health can affect the success of your implant. Keeping up a strict oral hygiene routine is critical. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes. Floss daily as well. Antibacterial mouthwash can reduce the risk of infection by eliminating bacteria.


 


Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff are available at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. We can be reached at four separate locations in Clifton Heights, Folsom, and Philadelphia, PA. To learn more, call or visit our website.

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Canker Sores

Canker Sores are one of the most common and hated oral problems in the modern world. They’re painful and irritating, making everyday activities like eating unbearable. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have experience with a triage of oral problems. That’s why we’ve put together a simple guide on Canker Sores and how to treat them. To learn more, contact one of our four locations in the Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom areas.


 


Canker Sores are small, yellow or white sores with a red border. They’re often on the soft tissues, like the gums or lips. They come in three distinct forms: minor, major, and herpetiform. Minor, as the name suggests, are small, healing between a week or so. Major sores are quite larger. These can take up to six weeks to heal. Herpetiform appear in clusters of ten to one hundred. They are about the size of a pinprick. If canker sores are severe or reoccurring, visit the dentist or your local physician.


 


There are a handful of naturalistic or holistic treatments for canker sores. Apply ice to the corresponding area on the face. Other remedies suggest placing a wet tea bag over the ulcer. You can also never go wrong with good old-fashioned salt water or baking soda rinse. Combine water with either substance, swishing it around your mouth for a minute or so. Certain studies indicate that there may be a connection between canker sores and nutritional deficiencies. Make sure your diet includes foods that are rich with iron and several B vitamins.


 


Over-the-counter treatment options are also available. Most grocery stores sell a large variety of canker sore relieving products. Benzocaine is a numbing agent used in most of the various gels. Dabbing a small amount of the agent temporarily numbs the canker sores. This gives you a chance to eat or drink pain-free. There are also antibacterial rinses that target canker sores. These clean the area while also soothing the sore.


 


Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania provide treatment for all your needs, including canker sore relief. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ramin Bahram and our staff, visit our website or call. We have four offices across the PA area, including Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, and Folsom.