What Are Impacted Canines?

Did you know that our canine teeth are also known as “eye teeth?” It may sound strange, but there’s actually a logical explanation for the nickname: the canines are simply aligned with the position of our eyes. Our canines are important for biting and guiding the rest of the teeth in position when you close your mouth. Canines also have the longest root compared to the rest of your teeth, making them the last to erupt. Sometimes canines fail to erupt properly, which causes problems for the capacity and appearance of your mouth. We at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offer surgery for individuals with impacted canines. Any of our experienced oral surgeons can help get your canines in the correct position!

An impacted canine simply means that the tooth has failed to erupt through your gums. Some of the causes of impacted canines include:

- Cysts: abnormal growths on the gums

- Overcrowding: when teeth are squished together from lack of space in the mouth

- Extra teeth: when an additional tooth occupies the space where the canine is supposed to erupt

- Ankylosed: when the canine tooth root is intertwined with the surrounding bone

There are some additional signs of an impacted canine to look for. This includes the presence of a palatal lump, the delayed eruption of the canine (usually after 15 years old), and the absence of a labial canine lump. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s possible that you have an impacted canine. Call one of our offices today and we can get you started on the road to treatment!

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is located across the PA area. We have offices in Folsom, Clifton Heights, and two offices in Philadelphia. Please visit oralsurgerypa.com for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our offices.

 

Oral Cancer Screenings

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we encourage our patients to look for symptoms of oral cancer. Routine checkups for oral cancer should be done every year. The earlier oral cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of treating it without any long-term effects.

During an oral cancer screening, our doctors will look for any lumps or abnormalities in your mouth that may be cancerous.

When possible, we advise our patients to avoid using tobacco as it increases your chance of developing oral cancer. If you consume alcohol regularly you have a higher chance of developing it. Our patients that have a family history of oral cancer or have previously been diagnosed with oral cancer are encouraged to have an exam at least once a year.

Remember to ask for an oral cancer screening or schedule one if you haven’t had one in the last year. If you notice any signs of oral cancer give us a call right away.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visitwww.eldersburgdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kurt B. Linkoff, DDS in Eldersburg, MD, call 410-795-2900. 

Before General and IV Anesthesia

General and IV anesthesia are used for a multitude of oral surgery practices and procedures. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas are skilled at both surgery and anesthesia. You may need general or IV sedation for procedures like wisdom teeth extractions or dental implant placement. Intravenous sedation or “twilight sedation” can also be used for certain procedures or for patients with high anxiety levels.

 

It is important to follow these strict instructions before undergoing anesthesia. Not following these instructions can cause complications during surgery or even result in postponing the procedure. The most important step to follow is that you cannot eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to your appointment. You can’t even have water. Smoking is also a big no. Ideally, you should cut down on smoking before the procedure. At a minimum, do not smoke for at least twelve hours beforehand.

 

You should not drive yourself to or from the office after the procedure. You can’t operate machinery for twenty-four hours following as well. A responsible adult will bring you to the office and take you home.

 

Before coming into the office, try to wear looser fitting clothes. Remove any contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures. Don’t wear lipstick or any makeup. You will need to have at least one finger free of any nail polish or artificial nails.

 

Let our staff know if you are not feeling well leading up to the surgery. These include colds, sore throats, and upset stomachs. Make sure to notify us of any routine oral medications that you take.

 

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are located in four offices across the PA area. We are located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, PA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas, visit our website or call our main South Philadelphia office at 215-463-4141.

Post Surgery Bone Graft

A bone grafting procedure is when there is a missing or damaged tooth that needs to be repaired. Our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania want our patients to know what to expect the days following a bone graft.

Since bone grafts are made up of particles, you may notice some granules in your mouth the days after surgery. While the particles aren’t a cause for concern, there are ways to limit the number of particles that are dislodged. After surgery, avoid rinsing, smoking, spitting, and touching the wound to limit the number of particles. It is important you don’t blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose, make sure your mouth is wide open.

One full day after the bone graft you may brush your teeth gently to clean your teeth and to prevent messing with the repaired area.

Remember to take the antibiotics as shown on the label to start the recovery process. Before you know it your mouth will be back to normal and healed.

If you have any questions, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dental professionals are often the first to detect and diagnose oral cancer in patients. That is why it is important that you schedule an appointment with Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania anytime you experience abnormal oral symptoms. Schedule an appointment ASAP with Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas when experiencing new symptoms lasting over two weeks.

 

When strange oral symptoms refuse to heal or take over two weeks, schedule an appointment. This is often the first signs of a serious underlying medical problem. Call our office immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:

 

Lumps or hard spots in the mouth, bumps that bleed easily, a strange coloring of the gums, mouth sores or ulcers that take over two weeks to heal, a lump on the outside of the neck that has been there for at least two weeks.

 

When it comes to HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer, symptoms can differ than other types of oral cancer. These symptoms manifest as a hoarse or sore throat, problems swallowing, a constant cough, and/or pain in one or both ears.

 

There are a few major risks that can lead to oral cancer. Partaking in heavy smoking and drinking is the largest factor. Engaging in other tobacco products, like chewing tobacco, is also detrimental to your health. Another risk is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, contact Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania immediately. We have four offices located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, PA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas, visit our website or call our main South Philadelphia office at 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.