Let Us Explain, Novocain

When you think of oral surgery, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are almost certain that you’re wondering about your sedation options. Depending on the procedure at hand, you will either be given a local or general anesthetic. Local anesthesia allows the patient to remain awake, while general anesthesia allows the patient to sleep. If you are told you’ll be receiving a local anesthetic, “Novocain” probably comes to mind. Novocain is commonly used to suppress pain in patients who remain conscious. During your consultation, our doctors will determine if Novocain is appropriate for your treatment plan as well as if it is the best option for you.

Novocain is normally injected into an area during oral surgery and other dental procedures to numb the surrounding tissues. Like any medication, however, side effects include numbness around the injection site that can last for several hours, a tingling sensation around the injection site, as well as minor swelling around or near the injection site. Novocain is a good option for some, but not for others. Be sure to provide us with as much information about your medical history as possible so that you and our doctors can make an informed decision.

If you would like to discuss sedation options, 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. 

Oral Biopsy

The most common symptoms of oral cancer are lumps or bumps, rough spots, crusts, or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal are other common characteristics. If you have symptoms that suggest oral cancer, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania may recommend an oral biopsy.  

If your dentist or doctor thinks a particular area of your mouth looks suspicious, having an oral biopsy is the only way to confirm that oral cancer is a concern. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, this procedure involves little discomfort and can be completed in no time. To perform a biopsy, one of our doctors will remove a small bit of the suspicious area. Then, a pathologist will examine the removed cells to check for cancer. It may take two weeks to receive results, but once the test results come back, we will be able to determine whether or not the patient has cancer, if so, what type it is, and we will be able to develop the best treatment plan.

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. 

Sinus Augmentation Details

If you are considering dental implants, you must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. If there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, you may require a sinus lift. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we perform this simple procedure under certain conditions. Sinus augmentation procedures are highly predictable with studies reporting over 95% success.

A sinus augmentation increases the height of your upper jaw by filling part of your maxillary sinus with bone. When possible, the bone remaining under the sinus floor is gently “pushed up,” thus lifting the floor of the “dropped sinus.” Bone replacement materials are then placed beneath the lifted bone. The maxillary sinus is the area above your jaw on either side of your nose above the back teeth. This procedure is done when the back part of the upper jaw does not have enough bone to allow dental implants to be placed. Following sufficient healing of a sinus augmentation (6-10 months), implants are placed in a predictable and successful manner. 

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. 

Wisdom Teeth Function

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. During this “age of wisdom” phase, sometimes teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often they are misaligned and require removal. Some might think of wisdom teeth as spare tires, because if you lost your teeth, the wisdom teeth would be extra teeth that come in and function like normal teeth. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our doctors can perform extractions depending on their position and stage of development.

So why do we have them? 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 the teeth. The modern diet with its softer foods, along with marvels of modern technologies such as forks, spoons, and knives, has made the need for wisdom teeth nonexistent; however, they don’t always need to be removed.

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 Implant Advantages

Having missing teeth can be embarrassing, and if left untreated, will only get worse. This is why the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offer dental implants to their patients. Dental implants provide a more natural tooth replacement because they are artificial teeth that are attached directly to the jawbone. Other options can lead to bone deterioration, and may interfere with eating, smiling, speaking and other daily activities.

Dental implants are the closest you can get to natural and healthy teeth. They allow you to confidently eat, laugh, talk, play and enjoy all of your daily activities without being self-conscious about your smile. A face without teeth can sag and make you appear older than your actual age, but dental implants allow you to maintain the natural shape of your face. While dental implants may need periodic adjustments, they can last a lifetime when properly placed and cared for over time. Dental implant treatment has a track record of reliable, long-term successful outcomes and is often considered a more durable option than other treatments to repair or replace missing teeth.

If you are missing teeth and would like to discuss your tooth-replacement options, 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. 

Canine Exposure

Impacted teeth can cause major pain in addition to health problems. Canine teeth are commonly impacted; however, here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we are able to expose canine teeth and guide them into the correct position. We call this procedure canine exposure.

Our canine teeth are important for grasping food and biting into it. When a canine tooth is impacted, it is still stuck in the jaw and not allowed to fully emerge. This can lead to troubles eating, it can lead to hygiene problems, pain, and damage to other teeth. In addition, it can affect the aesthetics of your smile.

To expose the canine tooth, first, your doctor will make an incision in the gum tissue where the tooth is still stuck. This will clear a path for the tooth to emerge through. A dental brace will then be attached to the tooth so it can be slowly guided into the correct position.

Impacted canine teeth can cause serious problems, but luckily there is a solution. If you suspect you have an impacted canine tooth, be sure to schedule an appointment with us. To schedule with Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in one of our Philadelphia, PA locations, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Dental Implant Surgery Process

A dental implant is by far the most life-like and long-lasting tooth replacement you can get. This is why at Oral Surgery Consultants in Philadelphia, PA, we perform dental implant surgery for our patients.

With great oral hygiene and routine visits to your dentist, dental implants are able to last a lifetime. There are other replacement options out there like bridges and dentures; however, these options will eventually need to be replaced. In addition, bridges reduce some of your healthy teeth for placement.

The installation of a dental implant is a surgical procedure. First, an incision will be made so the titanium implant post can be inserted into the bone socket. A hole is drilled into the bone and the implant post is inserted. The gums are then sealed and allowed to heal for several months. When the healing process is complete, the gums are opened back up and an abutment is attached to the dental implant. The abutment will serve as the base for the permanent crown that will be attached. After the permanent crown is cemented into place, the process is complete.  

If you are looking to replace a tooth with a permanent option, ask us about dental implants. To schedule an appointment with Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia, PA area, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com.