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. 

Are Dental Implants Painful?

If you are receiving dental implants in the near future, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania don’t want you to be frightened, we want you to be informed on what to expect. Pain is a common concern among individuals who are considering dental implants and we want you to know that while some discomfort is expected, it shouldn’t be your primary concern.

As with any major dental procedure, or surgery in general, some discomfort is to be expected during the recovery process since it is a surgery that typically involves removing teeth, cutting gums, drilling into the jawbone and inserting a titanium post. The procedure itself is not painful since it is performed with either general or local anesthesia to completely numb your mouth. If you’re anxious about the discomfort during the procedure and being aware of drilling noises and forces being applied to your mouth, please ask us about our sedation options.

If you have questions about dental implants or sedation options give us a call. For more information about the services we provide, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Cleaning Your Dental Implant

When visiting the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we make sure that you receive the highest level of service and ensure that our dental work is of the highest quality. If you’ve recently received a dental implant, you’ll want to protect your investment. To ensure that you maintain great oral health, this level of quality that we provide needs to extend into your personal oral hygiene routine. Allow us to inform you how to take care of your dental implant.

To ensure the long life of a dental implant, some special techniques and efforts are required to keep the implant clean and free of dental plaque. Plaque may cause infection in the tissues around the implant and lead to its ultimate failure. No single device has been shown to remove plaque from all surfaces of the dental implant; however you should take care of them as you would your natural teeth. To achieve long-term success of your dental implant you should brush at least twice a day and floss between your teeth once daily.

If you have questions about how to maintain oral care for your dental implant, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are sensitive, it may be time to get a check up at your dentist. Some of the causes include tooth decay, a cracked tooth, worn tooth enamel, worn fillings and tooth roots that are exposed as a result of aggressive tooth brushing, gum recession and periodontal disease.

The inside of your tooth is primarily made up of a material called dentin, which contains microscopic tubules filled with tiny nerve endings. A hard outer layer of enamel protects the dentin within the crown portion of your tooth, and the dentin extending down to the root of your tooth is protected by a layer of cementum. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dentin hypersensitivity or nerve irritation occurs whenever dentin loses its protective covering of enamel or cementum, exposing the nerve endings to hot, cold, acidic or sticky foods, causing you pain.

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

What Can I Eat after a Frenectomy?

A frenum is a fold of tissue in the mouth found between the upper two front teeth, under the tongue, and on the sides of the gums. When a frenum constricts the movement of your lips or tongue too much, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania will perform what is called a Frenectomy. A frenectomy is an oral surgery procedure in which the frenum is cut.  Recovery time for a frenectomy is short – generally about 24 hours. During this time, you will be advised to follow a soft diet.

A soft diet consists of foods that are easy for you to chew and swallow. You can consume pureed, mashed, ground, chopped and moist foods. Starchy foods that are recommended include rice, pasta such as macaroni, rolls, muffins, soft bread and tortillas. Fruits and vegetables include applesauce, fruit or vegetable juice, avocado and ripe bananas. Dairy choices include cheese sauces, cottage cheese, milk, milkshakes, soft ice cream and plain yogurt.

For more information about the Frenectomy procedure and aftercare, 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.