When a Dental Implant Fails

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, they are one of the most reliable long-term methods of tooth replacement. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are a variety of internal and external factors that cause complications or even total failure of treatment. When this happens, the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are here to help.

Osseointegration describes the formation of a direct functional and structural connection between a person’s bone and an artificial implant. There are two primary reasons for “later” implant failure after the osseointegration process has been successful. These include over-stressing implants with too much biting force, or inflammatory disease of the gum tissues and/or bone around the implant. Prevention plays a tremendous role in avoiding implant failure. Once the implants are placed, it’s crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Make sure you have regular professional dental cleanings to help keep the tissues around your implants healthy.

If you are considering dental implants, contact us at one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today to see if you are eligible. For more information about dental implants, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141.

Diet and Dental Erosion

As much as we would love to see your smile here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we do want you to keep your permanent teeth healthy. You know you should brush your teeth twice a day, and see your dentist regularly, but your diet also plays a role in the health of your teeth.

A diet that promotes good oral health is not just about the foods you eat or avoid – when and how you eat them is equally important. Dental erosion or the loss of tooth enamel and at times deeper parts of the tooth due to chemicals has numerous causes.  These causes range from dietary factors such as fruits, juices and candies with high concentrations of citric acid and carbonated beverages. Dental erosion can also be caused by reflux disease or gastritis to the prolonged oral retention of medications such as vitamin C or aspirin. To maintain a balanced diet and to reduce harm on your teeth, eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups and limit the number of snacks you eat.

For more information about oral surgery procedures, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.  

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

If wisdom teeth don’t really supply us with wisdom, then what purpose do they serve? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth, or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of teeth. Fast forward to today, and take a look at what we are eating and more importantly how we are preparing our food. We cut, dice, chop, boil, steam and bake everything we eat.

Chewing these tough, coarse, and rugged foods required a broader jaw, and strong molars – including the wisdom teeth. Having all three molars was vital, in order for our ancestors to be able to eat the foods necessary for survival. These days, however, all of the food preparation has made eating easy to accomplish, in fact experts believe that our jaw line has become less broad and smaller over the years due to how food is prepared and consumed.

Many times, however, wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow properly and can cause problems. When they do, the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can provide you with the best care possible. For more information about wisdom teeth, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.  

Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

 

You should eat a soft food diet for 5 to 7 days after oral surgery, depending on which type you receive. During your soft food diet, we at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania want you to know the importance of taking in the foods your body needs for energy and to carry out its basic processes.

Immediately following oral surgery you will not be able to chew semi-solid food due to swelling in the mouth. Your diet may consist primarily of soups, breads and grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as protein-based foods. Some soft protein-based foods include tofu, broiled lean beef, chicken, tuna, liver and salmon. You may also be able to consume scrambled eggs. You may also be able consume dairy products following oral surgery. Dairy foods that may be mild enough for consumption include milk, yogurt, milkshakes, custard, plain ice cream, ricotta cheese, and cream cheese. 

For more information about oral surgery procedures and aftercare, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. Call Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 215- 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

You should eat a soft food diet for 5 to 7 days after oral surgery, depending on which type you receive. During your soft food diet, we at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania want you to know the importance of taking in the foods your body needs for energy and to carry out its basic processes.

Immediately following oral surgery you will not be able to chew semi-solid food due to swelling in the mouth. Your diet may consist primarily of soups, breads and grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as protein-based foods. Some soft protein-based foods include tofu, broiled lean beef, chicken, tuna, liver and salmon. You may also be able to consume scrambled eggs. You may also be able consume dairy products following oral surgery. Dairy foods that may be mild enough for consumption include milk, yogurt, milkshakes, custard, plain ice cream, ricotta cheese, and cream cheese.

For more information about oral surgery procedures and aftercare, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. Call Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 215- 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

 

Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the oral cavity. Your oral cavity includes the lips, gingivae, retromolar trigone, teeth, hard palate, cheek mucosa, tongue and the floor of the mouth. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania we want you to understand that oral cancer is preventable and we can’t stress enough how important it is to have a powerful oral hygiene routine.

Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at these parts of the mouth and ones that lie farther inside the oral cavity such as your tonsils and uvula. Don’t try to brush these areas, because it won’t end well, however, if you brush and floss regularly your immune system will build its own strength and ability to fight off potential cancers.

To learn more about oral cancer and how to prevent it, give us a call. For more information about oral health and procedures, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. Call Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 215- 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Ear Aches After Teeth Extraction

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania want patients to know that extractions are done for a number of reasons. You may have a tooth that is badly damaged to the point of decay or you may need an orthodontic appliance such as braces and your mouth is too overcrowded to place them. The most common type of extraction is wisdom teeth removal, but no matter which type of extraction you need to encounter, there will be a type of pain you need to prepare for.

Pain that seems to originate in your ear after having a tooth extracted is not unusual. The most likely cause of the ear pain after wisdom teeth removal is that there are many nerves in and around your teeth and jaw which send signals through your head and past your ears. Because you have trauma in the area of the tooth extraction, it is normal for the nerves to send pain signals to your brain. Ear pain is often caused by the patient biting down with force on something. This is one of the reasons why you are instructed to eat soft foods in the days immediately following a tooth removal. Despite ear pain being a common problem, if the pain becomes severe or gets worse than normal you should contact us to ensure the pain is not caused by something else like an infection.

If you have questions about tooth extractions, give us a call at 215-558-2400. For more information on Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.

How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health

We all know that smoking is bad for our health. But are you really aware of what it can do to your oral health? The doctors here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA want to inform patients of what effect smoking has on the mouth and what it means.

Smoking and other forms of tobacco use increase risks for a lot of problems inside the mouth and the rest of the oral cavity. Developing cancer is probably the scariest risk it increases. Tobacco use can also lead to gum disease, bone loss within the jaw, increased plaque and tartar, and problems healing after surgery.

As we know, gum disease can be very hard to get rid of, and if left untreated, it may lead to loss of teeth and bone tissue. When a tobacco user has surgery, it can complicate healing. Tobacco slows down healing and can also promote infection. This not only causes health issues but may render the procedure a failure.

Tobacco can also stain teeth, stain your tongue, and cause bad breath. So if you’re a smoker, what can you do to lessen the risks created? Quit! There is no form of tobacco that is safe to use, so it is best to just quit altogether. Your oral health and the health of your whole body will benefit greatly.

For more information about oral health and procedures, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. Call Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.