National Arthritis Month

May is National Arthritis Month, and at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Philadelphia, we want our patients to understand how arthritis can impact their dental health. People with arthritis have higher frequencies of periodontal disease, and if it’s not brought under control, they may wind up losing teeth and needing replacements.

The phrase “arthritis” refers to several different diseases which cause joint inflammation. Of the two most common types, osteoarthritis is caused by wear-and-tear over time but rheumatoid arthritis is the result of the body attacking its own cells. Studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis is more highly correlated with tooth loss. The reasons for this are not entirely clear. Any disease which interferes with patients’ ability to grasp a toothbrush is going to be correlated with gum disease, but rheumatoid arthritis seems to have common genetic factors with severe periodontal disease and there are similarities between the cellular structures of the gums and joints.

Fortunately, there is also evidence that oral care can reduce periodontal disease, even in people with rheumatoid arthritis. People who have difficulty grasping ordinary toothbrushes may try an electric alternative. If Sjögren’s Syndrome is interfering with their saliva production, they might want to try artificial throat moisteners.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Soft-Tissue Biopsies

Biopsies are an important tool for diagnosing lesions and malignancies in patients. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, a biopsy will be necessary to identify oral cancer. If you have an increased risk of oral cancer in your family history, as well as a history of mouth sores or dental abscesses, discuss an oral biopsy with our doctors to lessen your risk.  

When an oral biopsy is required, one of our doctors will remove the symptomatic soft-tissue and run it through a series of tests. Anesthesia will be administered beforehand, for the patient’s most optimal comfort. Once the tissue is sent to the laboratory, a pathologist will look for signs of cancer cells. If the results test positive for malignancies, we will discuss the next few phases of treatment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral surgery or appointment scheduling, 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. 

Lip Biopsies

It is sometimes necessary when diagnosing a patient to take a biopsy, or tissue sample. At the offices of the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we take biopsies of the tongue, mouth, and lip. There are various diseases which could affect these body parts which patients need to be aware of, and this week we’re looking at lip biopsies.

Two of the most common diseases lip biopsies are tested for are oral cancer and Sjögren’s syndrome. Lip cancer is a type of oral cancer and can be recognized by the persistent ulcers, lumps, and discoloration it causes. Fortunately, lip cancer has much higher survival rates than other types of oral cancer due to the ease of detecting it and applying treatment. Diagnosing it requires a sample of the suspicious tissue to be cut away. Sjögren’s syndrome is an inflammatory immune disorder which causes dry mouth and dry eyes. In order to test for it, a biopsy needs to be taken of the salivary glands. There are several of these on the inside of the lower lip which can be plucked easily after the patient has been numbed (and hundreds more throughout the mouth). Once a few glands have been removed, the lip may be sutured. It is recommended that patients do not take anti-inflammatory medicine in the weeks prior to getting a biopsy and that they stick to soft, non-sticky foods until they have healed.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Missing Incisors

At the offices of the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we provide people with replacements for missing teeth. When most people hear this, they probably think of teeth that have been lost to injury or infection, but prosthetic teeth are also of great value to people whose teeth never developed at all. In about 2% of the population, the upper lateral incisors, which are the flat teeth on the sides of the two front teeth, fail to erupt.

Fixing this problem requires collaboration between the oral surgeon and an orthodontist, particularly when the incisors exist but never descended through the gum line. In these cases, it may be necessary for the oral surgeon to cut into the gum tissue and expose the teeth and attach brackets. The incisors may then be guided into place with wires  by the orthodontist.  But when the teeth are absent altogether, they have to be substituted. If an orthodontist is able to make enough space, the incisors can be replaced with several different kinds of prosthetics depending on the patient’s needs. These could be anything from fixed single implants or bridges to removable partial dentures. If the patient decides to go that route, it is very important for them to wear their retainer, or else their teeth may shift into a position that won’t work with the denture or bridge.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Smoking after Oral Surgery

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania don’t need to lecture you on why you shouldn’t smoke, as you are probably already aware of the consequences. Smoking after an oral surgery procedure, however, is a definite restriction. Having a tooth removed is already an unpleasant experience and smoking will only aggravate the healing process.

If you have to smoke, we ask that you please try to wait as long as possible after your procedure to do so. Smoking can interfere with the healing process and the sucking motion can dislodge blood clots that are forming as part of this process. As a result, dry sockets will form and a dry socket is associated with intense pain around the extraction site. Lighting up a cigarette is not worth the complications.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral surgery or appointment scheduling, 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. 

Avoiding Oral Infection

Any kind of surgical procedure carries the risk of infection, but by following the post-operative instructions that you will receive from the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, you should have a smooth recovery and no complications at all. Preventing an oral infection after a surgical procedure is critical to the healing process. Successfully doing so will keep you out of the dental chair.

If a patient undergoes tooth extraction, he or she will not be able to brush, rinse, spit, or use mouthwash for 24 hours after the procedure. To avoid infection, it’s necessary to keep the mouth as clean as possible. The next day, rinse every two hours with salt water and be careful about irritating the extraction site. Additionally, avoid foods that irritate the wound and take medication as directed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral surgery or appointment scheduling, 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. 

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

A bone graft procedure is done to replace missing bone in a patients mouth.  The doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania use a bone graft to strengthen jaw bones in preparation for dental implants.

Missing a tooth for an extended period of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure.  When a patient needs an implant for a permanent replacement tooth, a bone graft reinforces the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant. 

In our practice, we use a processed bone grafting material and graft to the compromised area of the jaw bone.  This strengthens the weakened bone, and encourages growth of new bone material as it heals.  After the procedure, the bone graft will be monitored over the course of months.  When the jaw bone has strengthened enough to handle the placement of an implant, our doctors can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.

To learn more about bone grafting and all 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.