ALVEOLOPLAST

An alveoplasty is a type of surgery that smooths the jawbone. This procedure is done in areas where teeth have been removed or lost. Alveoplasty can be done alone, but is usually done at the same time that teeth are extracted. We perform this procedure in each of our Philadelphia, PA area offices and offer anesthetic options for patients who suffer from dental phobia.

 

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we recommend this procedure to our patients who have recently had several teeth extracted. When you have a tooth removed, there is a hole left in the jawbone. An alveoplasty allows the gums to be stitched closed over the hole. When your dentist at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania removes a tooth, he or she leaves an open socket that fills with a blood clot.

 

After the gums have healed, there are often high and low points in the bone that can make it difficult to fit a denture or implant properly. We use this procedure to smooth lumps in the jawbone or to flatten or taper the jaw's ridge. Besides smoothing the jawbone, alveoplasty also speeds healing after multiple teeth are extracted.

 

If you are thinking about getting an alveoplasty and have questions about procedures that must be performed for you, do call us directly at 215-463-4141.

Dental Implants

Do you have a missing tooth?  Whether your smile gap is accidental or your tooth has been extracted, it’s still important to have your smile restored.  Dental implants are one of the best ways to restore the natural look and feel of your smile.  Compared to other tooth prosthetics, dental implants have unique advantages that set them above the rest. 

 

If you are not sure which dental restoration is best for your smile, our team here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is always happy to help.  Just arrange an appointment at our office for a consultation.  For many patients, dental implants have proven to be a successful restoration with a number of benefits:

• There is no need to modify the surrounding teeth or rely on adjacent teeth for support.  Dental implants stand alone.
• They can be placed anywhere within the mouth, serving as a great replacement for teeth in the front or back of your smile. 
• Dental implants can be used to restore a single tooth, or entire rows of teeth through multiple implants.
• They provide patients with a natural look and feel that makes the restorative indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.
• Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups

Frenectomy

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our team regularly performs restorative surgical procedures. A common procedure we perform is a frenectomy. Simply put, a frenectomy is a procedure to remove the frenum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth. This naturally occurring muscle attachment is normally seen between the front teeth (either upper or lower) and it connects the inner aspect of the lip with the gum.

 

Most patients who come to us for a frenectomy have enlarged frena beneath their tongues. This prevents their tongue from moving freely and can interfere with speech due to limited tongue mobility. A lingual frenectomy will remove the fold of tissue so your tongue can once again move freely. This is mostly seen in children who suffer from the following symptoms:

• Trouble feeding
• Difficulty speaking
• Lack of ability to extend tongue out of their mouth
• The frenum pulling child’s gum tissue away from the lower front teeth

There are times where the frenum is attached between the two upper front teeth. In order to remove it, a procedure called a labial frenectomy is performed. This condition is usually seen in children after their permanent upper front teeth have erupted in their mouths.

 

Visit us in our Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom, PA location to learn more about this procedure and whether or not you are in need of it. For more information about this procedure, please visit www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

How Smoking Affects Post Op Extractions

Following a tooth extraction, the mouth should be carefully protected to minimize any risk of complications or compromise in healing.  This is an especially important consideration for smokers. Smoking cigarettes within the first forty-eight hours of a tooth extraction could increase the risk of treatment site complications, including the development of a dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. The risk is greatly increased within the first few hours of the post op, so it’s best to avoid cigarettes for as long as possible.

 

While tobacco can be harmful to long term oral health, the immediate issue of smoking after an extraction is the inhaling and pressure in the mouth that occurs in the physical act of smoking.  This can worsen pain and complicate healing. If you cannot go for an extended time without a cigarette, it may be best to prepare for your extraction procedure and post op by using a nicotine patch several days prior to your appointment.

 

For complete information on how you can prepare for your extraction and ensure a speedy, healthy recovery, visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Extractions

We believe in saving the natural tooth whenever possible, but this isn’t always an option. Teeth often need to be extracted because of severe tooth decay that has caused a tooth to become cracked or fractured, severely infected or because there is not enough stability in the tooth for a crown to be placed over it.

 

Our patients know they are getting the best care possible when they visit our offices for extractions. We provide an anesthetic so that our patients don’t experience any pain or discomfort. We remove the tooth as quickly as possible, providing in-depth aftercare instructions. Most extractions heal quickly and without problem. However, wisdom teeth extractions may have a slightly longer healing process.

 

After getting the tooth extracted, patients are asked to keep gauze on the tooth for any bleeding that may occur. They must not use a straw as the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot that is protecting the opening. If you have a problem with a tooth and are in need of an extraction, visit our office or our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

IV Sedation

The idea of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on feelings of fear or anxiety in some people, but there are options to ease the anxiety. Between 5% and 8% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia.  At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we are offering an extremely practical solution to rid you of your dental phobia through patient sedation. Our practice offers a safe environment of skilled staff members who are able to comfort patients through various sedation methods.

 

We utilize IV sedation for patients that suffer from moderate to severe anxiety. The medication is administered through your blood stream and sets in very quickly. You will feel as though you are in a heavily relaxed state and in some cases, patients will not remember their procedure. One of the best things about IV sedation is the fact that it makes your appointment seem much faster. This will allow you to have multiple procedures completed in just one sitting. IV sedation also allows us to monitor and adjust your dosage throughout the procedure to ensure for maximum comfort.

 

Next time you come into Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania for an appointment with one of our skilled team members, make sure to ask about sedation and how it can help you through your dental procedures. 

Bone Grafting

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we are committed to providing our patients with expert care for all of their dental needs.  That is why we maintain bone grafting capabilities at our dental practice.  Bone grafting is an excellent option for patients who need to build and strengthen their jawbones to fully support dental implants or other tooth prosthetics.  Since bone grafting is a surgical process, our patients gain peace of mind in knowing they can complete this procedure in a comfortable and trusting environment.

 

 Cadaver bone fragments that are donated to bone banks are used for grafting purposes.  The bone sample is then used to patch and strengthen the future site of the prosthetic.  The bone graft will naturally heal and become part of your jaw, providing you with a strong and stable base for an implant or other restorative.

 

If you have been seeking dental implants in the Philadelphia, PA area, but have been told your jaw may not be able to support the implant, contact us here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania.  We are happy to provide patients with consultations and to discuss our bone grafting capabilities.