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.

National Arthritis Month

May is National Arthritis Month, and at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Philadelphia, we want our patients to understand how arthritis can impact their dental health. People with arthritis have higher frequencies of periodontal disease, and if it’s not brought under control, they may wind up losing teeth and needing replacements.

The phrase “arthritis” refers to several different diseases which cause joint inflammation. Of the two most common types, osteoarthritis is caused by wear-and-tear over time but rheumatoid arthritis is the result of the body attacking its own cells. Studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis is more highly correlated with tooth loss. The reasons for this are not entirely clear. Any disease which interferes with patients’ ability to grasp a toothbrush is going to be correlated with gum disease, but rheumatoid arthritis seems to have common genetic factors with severe periodontal disease and there are similarities between the cellular structures of the gums and joints.

Fortunately, there is also evidence that oral care can reduce periodontal disease, even in people with rheumatoid arthritis. People who have difficulty grasping ordinary toothbrushes may try an electric alternative. If Sjögren’s Syndrome is interfering with their saliva production, they might want to try artificial throat moisteners.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Stress and Tooth Damage

Some common causes of enamel erosion include periodontal disease and acid reflux, but the public is increasingly becoming aware of how stress can contribute to tooth damage.

There are two ways in which stress is known to harm oral health: by worsening periodontal disease and by causing bruxism. When people are stressed, their immune systems don’t function as well. This prevents the body from fighting off infections, allowing bacteria to increase their activity in the gum pockets. In turn, they create plaque, leading to tooth and gum decay, and in the worst cases, damaging the jaw bones.

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding or clenching, can be caused by many things, but stress is one of the most common contributors. As people put strain on their teeth, the enamel wears off or becomes cracked. It is also possible for the teeth to shift out of alignment as a result of prolonged pressure, which weakens their gum and bone support.

Many dentists try to limit the effects of bruxism with night guards. But our specialty office offers implants for people who have suffered the worst damage, including those who have suffered cracked roots.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

What is Peri-Implantitis?

We at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are proud of the implant work we do. Endosteal implants have a 95% success rate, and have improved millions of peoples’ lives. Sometimes, however, even the best kind of procedure can be done badly or be compromised later. Peri-implantitis is the inflammation of gum tissue around an implant, and is the most common reason for implant failure.

Peri-implantitis sometimes occurs soon after an artificial crown is placed because the dental cement leaked or wasn’t placed properly and settled on the gum tissue. Often, however, it is the result periodontal disease, which may have also destroyed the original tooth. Early on, either problem can be fixed through rigorous oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. However, if periodontal disease is allowed to set in, surgery may be required.

Implants depend on successful fusion with the jaw bone. (“Endosteal” refers to the outermost layer of a bone.) If the location of the fusion is damaged, the implant may fall out or need to be removed. Patients can avoid implant failure if they maintain all the hygienic practices which are used to avoid normal periodontal disease, but sometimes this is difficult for patients with compromised dexterity, such as those with Parkinson’s disease. If the gum around your implant is inflamed, seek help; don’t wait for it to go away on its own. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.