Pain Management

One of the biggest concerns when our patients find out they need oral surgery is dealing with the pain. For proper management of pre and post-operative pain, we use anesthesia for the procedure and provide pain medications and a list of after-care instructions.

 

To help manage pain after the procedure, we provide the following recommendations to follow immediately after surgery:

• Rest after surgery and only resume daily activities when you feel comfortable to do so.
• Use ice packs on your face where the surgery was performed to reduce swelling and pain.
• Keep the gauze on the surgical site for 30 minutes at least, then remove and place a new one.
• Avoid touching the area or rinsing your mouth too much.
• Take your pain medication at the first sign of discomfort.
• Never use a straw after surgery, or the blood clot may become dislodged.

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want our patients to be as comfortable as possible during and after the surgery. Because the pain can start once anesthesia wears off, we recommend taking the first dose of pain medication just before the anesthesia has worn off completely. Call us today  at 215-463-4141 to discuss the management of pre and post-operative pain further

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are often provided to people who have missing teeth and are hoping to find a more permanent solution. However, implants must have a sufficient amount of jaw bone to be placed securely and this isn’t always naturally the case. The missing teeth can cause the jawbone to atrophy and makes it difficult for the implant procedure to work.

 

Today, we have the ability to grow bone through bone grafting. Bone graftinghelps Dr. Ramin Bahram grow enough bone at the implant site for placing the titanium post and completing a successful procedure.

 

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we offer minor and major bone grafting. The main difference is exactly how much bone will need to be grafted. Some patients can get minor bone grafting that helps increase how much bone is present. Others require major bone grafting if they have more loss and the jawbone has been reabsorbed.

 

Patients who are in need of implants but don’t have enough bone to install the post have a great option in bone grafting when they come to our clinic. If you are in the Philadelphia, PA area, call us at 215-463-4141 (Broad St.) or 215-558-2400 (Walnut St) for a consultation. We also provide bone grafting procedures in our Clifton Heights (610-622-5454) and Folsom offices (610-461-4600) for your convenience.

Midnight Snacks and Your Oral Health

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we realize that some things taste better after midnight. But there is a correlation between midnight snacks and your oral health that isn’t good for your smile. Eating late at night, when your saliva production slows down and your mouth is the driest, accentuates the adverse effects on your teeth (plaque buildup, tooth decay, and even tooth loss) when consuming foods and drinks. This is especially true in the case of sugary foods and starchy foods. Yes, we know that ice cream, pizza, and cake are some of the most popular midnight snacks.

 

There’s a reason that we were instructed early on to brush our teeth before going to bed. Without brushing before bed, food left on teeth — and its bacteria and plaque growth — wreak havoc on your teeth. To minimize the damage to your teeth from eating a midnight snack, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards. Better yet, try to avoid eating late at night by:

• Distracting yourself.  Read a book or magazine.
• Eating breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to snack at night.
• Increasing your protein and fiber during dinner. This helps to make you feel full.

Is It Time For a New Toothbrush?

You most likely know that brushing your teeth regularly will help you keep a healthy smile. But if you don’t take proper care of your toothbrush as well, some of those efforts eventually will go by the wayside. That’s because toothbrushes, over time, become infested with harmful bacteria.

 

Many individuals only replace their toothbrush once or twice a year. We believe at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania that that is far too long. We recommend that adults use a new toothbrush every three months in order to maintain and improve oral health. You should replace your toothbrush sooner than three months, however, if the toothbrush bristles are frayed. In addition, if you’ve been sick, such as having the flu, replace your toothbrush immediately when you’re better.

 

Some new toothbrushes contain bristles that change color to let you know that it’s time for a new toothbrush. Keep in mind, children’s toothbrushes should be replaced more frequently than three months -- at least every two months.

Great Oral Health Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy

Great Oral Health Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time. It’s also a time when there is a lot to think about and to do.  After all, there’s designing the nursery, selecting baby clothes, and choosing your new baby’s name. While all of these things are at the forefront of your mind, our team at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania wants to remind you of how great oral health contributes to a healthy pregnancy.

 

Taking care of your gums and teeth when you are pregnant is important. During pregnancy, heightened hormonal changes can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, and may even increase your risk of pre-term labor.  We want to emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene during your pregnancy by brushing and flossing regularly. With excellent oral health care, you can contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

 

We know that you’ll be having many ob/gyn appointments during your pregnancy, but don’t miss your regular dental checkups during this time. Dental procedures can be done during pregnancy, but they need to be scheduled appropriately, usually in the second trimester. 

Alcohol's Effect on Your Oral Health

 

Many alcoholic drinks, including beer, contain sugar that can damage your tooth enamel.  Wines, margaritas, daiquiris, and other mixed drinks containing citrus juices or soda are even worse.  The high acidity and overly abundant sugar content can increase your risk of tooth decay.

 

Alcohol, by its very nature, is dehydrating.  It dehydrates your body and reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth.  This can both damage and soften your enamel.  In addition to physical problems and addiction tendencies, excessive alcohol consumption can cause a host of dental troubles, including gum deterioration, cavities, and even tooth loss over time.

 

If you are going to drink (and not excessively, we hope), there are a few things that we at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania advise you to do in order to lessen the damaging nature of alcohol’s effect on your health.

• Brush and floss every night before going to bed -- especially if you’ve been consuming alcohol.
• Leave your toothbrush and floss out if you plan to go out and drink as a reminder to brush and floss before turning in.
• ·Swish water in your mouth while drinking alcohol to rinse sugar and acids away and add moisture to your mouth.
• Chew sugarless gum between drinks and after drinking.

While all of these tips won’t completely eliminate alcohol’s damaging effects on oral health, it can help to lessen the detrimental effects.

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary for certain conditions and procedures, including wisdom teeth eruption, infection, or in the event of severe tooth decay. Most tooth extraction procedures are fairly simple and straightforward, but special care should be taken to avoid complications and to ensure a speedy recovery. When you visit for your tooth extraction, be sure to follow all pre-surgical instructions. With the use of anesthetic and/or sedation, you can expect your extraction to be painless and comfortable.  You may experience a pressured sensation as the tooth is eased from the socket and extracted. When a tooth cannot be easily removed from a socket, a tooth may need to sectioned and removed in portions. This process is also fairly simple and easy to complete.  Once the tooth has been fully extracted, the gum with be stitched to heal or the site will be preserved for implant placement.

 

Provided you follow all post-op specifications, including follow-up visits and restorative procedures, your tooth extraction will ensure your smile stays healthy, functional and beautiful.