Flossing for Proper Dental Hygiene

Your dentist tells you to floss every day. Do you know the reason why? Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania wants their patients in the Philadelphia, PA area to know why flossing every day is so important for keeping healthy gums and teeth.

When we eat and drink, food particles and plaque build up on our teeth. Plaque is a clear film of bacteria that forms several hours after brushing. Plaque forms on all surfaces of the teeth, including in between them. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. When plaque and tartar sit on the teeth for a long time, the gums begin to recede and form deep pockets. This allows bacteria to reach down even further and cause infection. If not treated, this can lead to tooth loss.

Along with brushing two to three times per day, flossing is absolutely necessary to remove the plaque from between your teeth. Flossing can be done before brushing or after brushing. The important part is to just get it done. Make sure to floss both sides of every space, paying extra attention to your molars. Though the molars are harder to reach, they do the most chewing so they especially need to be flossed. Flossing is integral for the health of your teeth and your gums.

We have four locations is the Philadelphia, PA area. To learn more information about Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.

Piezosurgery Technology at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania

Using the safest technology for our patients is of the utmost importance to us. That is why we choose to use Piezosurgery technology here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. The Piezosurgery technology allows us to safely cut bone tissue while minimizing trauma to the soft tissue surrounding the area.

Bone grafts are a procedure to repair defects in the jaw. The Piezosurgery technology is a tool for cutting bone, which we use when we perform bone grafts. The precision and sensitivity that the tool provides us allows us to cut the bone with minimal trauma to the soft tissues. This makes healing faster and easier on the patient. In fact, the Piezosurgery technology actually promotes healing.

If you are interested in learning more about the technology we use at any of our four locations in the Philadelphia, PA area, give us a call at (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Correct Teeth Brushing for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Brushing your teeth removes plaque to keep healthy teeth and gums. It must be done multiple times a day to keep plaque away. Though brushing two to three times a day is great, it also needs to be done correctly to provide all of its benefits. Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in the Philadelphia, PA area wants their patients to understand how to take the best care of their mouth.

Plaque begins to form several hours after brushing. A brushing session should last two minutes each time. A great way to get a balanced brushing and to keep track of time is to split the mouth into four sections and brush each section for thirty seconds each. Brush every surface of the tooth; the front, the inside, the chewing surfaces, and the backs of your back molars. Make sure to brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth, also, as bacteria can also collect in these places.

Brush strokes should be small and light. Short up-and-down strokes will provide the best cleaning. Keep a light touch when brushing; brushing too hard can irritate gums and wear down enamel. Soft bristles and a light scrub are all that is needed to remove plaque.

Keeping good care of your teeth and gums is vital for the health of your mouth and your entire body. Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania has four locations in the Philadelphia, PA area. To schedule an appointment, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

3D CT Scan for Accuracy and Success

Using the most technologically advanced equipment is what allows our practice to provide our patients with the highest degree of care. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we utilize a 3D CT scanner for the most accurate and successful treatment.

The 3D CT scan is faster, more accurate, and provides much more information than traditional x-rays. They provide us with a three-dimensional image of the teeth, bone, tissue, and nerves. This is what helps us determine the best route and position for a dental implant. We can see exactly where nerves, sinuses, bone, and other teeth roots are at, so we can plan the right place and depth for an implant. We can also know exactly what size implant will work best for the space available.

The world of technology is ever-changing. There is always new technology making dental procedures more accurate, more efficient, and more comfortable for the patient. Efficiency and accuracy ensure a successful procedure and can save the patient time and money. This is why we choose to update our office with the latest advances. This is why we implement the 3D CT scanner here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania.

To learn more about the technology we use here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

What Types of Anesthesia Will Be Used for my Procedure?

Depending on the type of procedure being performed, there are several different options for anesthesia available here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. Local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, and general anesthesia through an IV are used for a variety of different procedures.

Local anesthesia is placed only where the surgery is being performed to numb the area. The patient is awake but cannot feel the procedure. Local anesthesia is used for every procedure.

Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, is administered through a mask. This form of anesthesia keeps the patient conscious, but relaxed.

General anesthesia is administered through an IV. In this scenario, the patient is completely unconscious. He or she is deeply asleep and unaware of the procedure.

Our office also offers patients “twilight sedation”, or IV sedation. This is a form of sedation where the patient may drift in and out of “twilight”-like sleep. This helps the patient relax and not remember the procedure. It also has medications that decrease pain.

Our patients’ comfort and safety is of the utmost value to us. If you are preparing for oral surgery and are curious about the type of anesthesia or sedation that will be used, contact us at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. For more information, visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Post-Extraction Care from Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania

Taking care of your mouth after a tooth is extracted is vital to healthy healing. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we take post-op seriously.

When a tooth is extracted, it is often to avoid an infection from spreading. After surgery, keeping the area clean and allowing it to heal properly will also prevent infection. After the extraction, any bleeding will need to be clotted. Your doctor may have you bite down on gauze until the blood is clotted and bleeding slows down. While bleeding is still present, do not lie flat, as this will promote more bleeding. Lie with your head propped up.

Make sure to take painkillers as directed by your doctor before the anesthesia wears off. For the rest of your day, relax. Any strenuous activity that could increase bleeding should be avoided. Avoid smoking and other tobacco products. Drink plenty of water and eat soft foods while healing. You can try harder foods as the healing progresses along. Do not use a straw, as sucking motions could cause more bleeding. Very carefully brush your teeth and your tongue. After 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with salt water a few times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we know that the health of your mouth is important to the health of the rest of your body. For more information about how to care for your mouth post-extraction, visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Apicoectomy May Save Your Tooth

Root canals already have a bad reputation, but in the event that the root canal does not work, this can be frustrating, not to mention painful! The doctors here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are experienced in performing apicoectomies for when root canal therapy fails.

When a root canal becomes infected again after one or more root canals have already been performed, an apicoectomy may be performed. An apicoectomy is when the root tip of a tooth is removed and the infected debris is cleaned out. A filling is then placed to seal the root tip. This saves the tooth from being extracted.

Your doctor will cut the gum away from the affected tooth so the root is accessible. The root tip will be removed, as well as the infected tissue. The root canal will be cleaned and then sealed. Your doctor will then stitch or suture the gums that were cut. Afterwards, the bone tissue around of the tip of the root will heal around the newly healthy and sealed tip.

If you have had one or more root canals, but the infection keeps coming back, you may benefit from an apicoectomy. Schedule an appointment at any of our four Philadelphia, PA area locations. For more information, please visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.