Dental Abscesses

When the inside of your mouth gets hurt or irritated, bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Sometimes you will see a painful swelling with pus. This is called a dental abscess and it can form from a deep cavity, periodontal disease, a cracked tooth, trauma, or sometimes even due to recent dental procedures such as extractions and implants. This condition can become painful, so if you notice one, you should visit our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania right away.

The cause of these infections is a direct growth of bacteria from within the pulp spaces of a tooth or on the deep root surfaces of a tooth into the supporting soft tissues and bones of the face and neck. Often one or more teeth will be very sensitive to pressure. With an advanced infection, one can experience discomfort from nausea, vomiting, and/or difficulty swallowing.

If you are experiencing inflammation in your teeth and gums, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Reasons Your Teeth are So Yellow

Ever look in the mirror and wonder how your teeth got so yellow? There are several factors for that and our staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is here to tell you about them. By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to prevent teeth discoloration. For example, if you are a coffee drinker and/or smoker, you should consider cutting back or quitting altogether. However, if your teeth appear to bean abnormal color without any reasonable explanation, you should contact your dentist immediately.

When you do not routinely brush, floss and rinse your mouth to remove plaque buildup and tartar, this can give your teeth a bit of lackluster. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your teeth yellow over time. Your teeth can start yellowing as a natural part of the aging process. This happens as the strong, white protective coating on teeth, known as enamel, fades over time because of the everyday wear and tear on your teeth. Luckily, yellowing teeth are not a sign of a serious medical condition, so there is no need to worry.

If you have further questions about tooth discoloration, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Types of Teeth and Their Functions

Ever wondered how many teeth we have? Well, the answer depends on a few factors, the biggest factor being age. Although the number of teeth we have may vary, the types of teeth and their functions are all the same. If you’ve ever wondered what these teeth are and what purpose they serve, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are here to inform you.

The types of teeth and their functions are:

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have further questions about your pearly whites, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Protect Yourself from Plaque

Plaque develops when food containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids can destroy your tooth enamel. As much as we love to see you at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we would like you to avoid invasive dental procedures in your future when they can be prevented at this very moment.

Plaque makes teeth feel rough and slimy, so if you lick your teeth with your tongue and feel a fuzzy buildup then you should get to the sink stat. To prevent plaque buildup, brush your teeth twice a day with a soft, rounded tip bristled toothbrush and pay particular attention to the space where the gums and teeth meet. Using tartar control (fluoride) toothpaste doesn’t hurt either. In addition to brushing, you should floss at least once a day to remove food particles. Dental plaque should be removed regularly because it can cause dental problems.

To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Dental Implants Compared to Bridges and Dentures

There are several options for tooth replacement out there in the world. Dental implants are the only option that has the ability to last a lifetime. That is why here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA we have chosen to utilize dental implants for tooth replacement. They are the optimum choice among the other options like bridges and dentures.

Dental implants are a single-tooth replacement; they are permanent; and able to last a lifetime with good care. They are surgically implanted into the bone socket so that they bond with the jawbone.

Dental bridges reduce the other teeth that are next to the open space in order to place crowns on them. They are reshaped so that only the center of the tooth is left. Then the replacement tooth is fitted into the middle. While dental bridges are popular, they are not as durable as implants and they will have to be replaced eventually.  Bridges last between five and fifteen years.

Dentures are another popular option for replacement; though there are several downfalls to them when you compare them to dental implants. Dentures are not as durable as implants, they will need to be replaced in the future, and they need to be re-fitted to your mouth as your mouth changes. They are also removable, so you need to take care of them when they are outside of your mouth. Not to mention, they can move around when talking or chewing.

Dental implants are without a doubt the best option for tooth replacement. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, call Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in our Philadelphia, PA office at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.

How Smoking Affects Dental Implants

It is no secret that smoking is bad for you. It can wreak havoc on your lungs, your circulatory system, your mouth, along with many other body systems. Since smoking directly affects your mouth, it can have an effect on the success of dental implants. Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania wants our patients in the Philadelphia, PA area to understand the risks that smoking poses on dental implants.

Smoking changes the gum tissues and the blood vessels surrounding them. The top layer of skin cells in the gums thickens; a condition called keratosis. The salivary glands become blocked off and damaged, which creates dry mouth. The superficial blood vessels in the mouth become constricted, so they do not supply enough blood to the area. These effects create problems with healing, immune strength, and bacteria. Since there is decreased blood flow, the area does not heal as quickly and a dry mouth promotes gum disease. Over time, smoking increases the amount of bone loss in the area around an implant. This increases the chance of early implant loss.

While studies showed that the amount of cigarettes smoked affected the levels of changes, it is clear that smoking can pose a risk for dental implant surgery and the success of the implant. It is best to quit smoking altogether so you can have the best options and the best outcomes. To learn more about dental implants, contact Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA by calling our office at (215) 463-4141 or by visiting our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Why Extractions Can be Necessary

Keeping your real teeth is the ideal situation; however there are times where it just is not possible. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want our patients in the Philadelphia, PA area to understand why extractions may be necessary.

When teeth become decayed or infected to a certain point, it is best to extract the tooth. When the tooth will not be able to be repaired, or gum disease has recessed too much gum tissue, the tooth may not physically be able to stay in your mouth. In addition, infections can be dangerous. It can spread to other areas of the body, and can be especially dangerous to patients with compromised immune systems.

In other cases, the teeth just will not fit properly inside the mouth. When teeth are overcrowded, a tooth can cause damage to other teeth, promote bacteria growth, decay, infection, and pain. Teeth may need to be extracted to make room in the mouth for the other teeth to fit comfortably and healthily. Wisdom teeth are especially known for this problem.

It is ideal to keep your real teeth, but sometimes it is the better choice to extract. To learn more about extractions, contact Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in our Philadelphia, PA office at (215) 463-4141. You can also contact us and learn more about extractions through our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.