The Process of a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth can be the sources of great pain and great pleasure. Pain, because when they are impacted, they hurt. Pleasure, because there are many funny YouTube videos of still-sedated patients after their wisdom teeth have been taken out. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we want our patients to understand the process of a wisdom tooth extraction to prepare ahead of time.

To extract the wisdom teeth, your dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. Any jawbone that needs to be removed to access the tooth will then be removed. The tooth is rocked back and forth until it is loose enough to be pulled out. Occasionally, a wisdom tooth will need to be broken into several pieces before being removed. Afterward, the area is stitched together and gauze is placed over the site to control bleeding.

It is recommended that you relax for the rest of the day and avoid any strenuous activity until the wound is healed. Soft foods should be eaten for the first twenty-four hours, adding in harder ones as the healing progresses. Drink plenty of water, but do not drink through a straw as this can cause more bleeding. For more information about care after an extraction, please visit our website.

If you believe your wisdom teeth are growing in, schedule an appointment with us for an examination. To schedule in our Philadelphia, PA office, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Why is a Sinus Lift Needed?

Because dental implants are the best tooth replacement option, many patients desire them. Unfortunately, not everyone has the best jaw conditions to house implants. In some cases, the sinus cavities are too low so an implant cannot be placed in the jawbone beneath it. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we are able to perform a sinus lift so that implants are an option.

Sometimes the jawbone right below the sinus cavity is not big enough to allow a dental implant to successfully be placed. When a tooth is missing for a while, the bone in the area where the tooth used to be can begin to deteriorate. In other cases, a patient may just be born with a smaller jawbone. Other times, the sinus cavity is too low. A sinus lift adds bone to the area between the upper jaw and the sinuses. This creates a jawbone big and strong enough to hold a dental implant.

The added bone not only functions as replacement bone, but it will also promote growth of the jawbone already in place. This aids the strength and size of the newly constructed jawbone. The grafting process begins with cutting the tissue where the implant will be. The bone is exposed and a small opening is created. The membrane separating the sinus cavity from the jaw is pushed up and away. The bone graft material is then packed into the space. Afterward, the area is stitched closed. The area will need several months to heal, and then dental implants are able to be placed.

To learn more about dental implants and sinus lifts, be sure to contact us. To schedule in our Philadelphia, PA office, call (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Post-Op Tooth Extraction Care

There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. Tooth decay, gum disease, or even for orthodontic purposes name a few. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches and you will need to follow strict instructions that our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania will give you. After the surgery, you will need to rest and you should expect the extraction site to bleed a little following extraction. In addition, here are a few things to remember during post-op care.

If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call our office immediately. Once you return home after the surgery you should rest, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. One of our doctors will prescribe you pain medication, as well as cleaning solution for the extraction site, so if you become sore take as directed. It’s important to limit yourself to soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. so that the stitches are not punctured. When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw, because the sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process.

If you are experiencing tooth discomfort or have questions about post-op aftercare, 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 Cancer Cautions

Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. When these cells invade the oral cavity, which includes the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor, of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat, it can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. It is important to be aware of the symptoms that occur with oral cancer. Therefore, if you are concerned by the following, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania recommend performing oral cancer self-examination monthly.

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, one of our doctors will check your mouth and throat for red or white patches, lumps, swelling, or other problems.

If you would like to discuss oral cancer treatment, 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. 

Beyond Teeth: What’s Inside Your Mouth?

Your mouth is made up of more than just teeth, so good oral health goes way beyond simply brushing and flossing. The oral cavity consists of several components in addition to the teeth, including gingiva (gums), tongue, palate, cheeks, lips and floor of the mouth. Whether we are taking preventative care, making acute repairs to your smile, or restoring it completely, our staff Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of services to keep these components looking and feeling their best.

The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at the parts of the mouth that lie farther inside the oral cavity. Knowing what these structures do and what they look like can help you to maintain optimal oral health. When you open your mouth and look in the mirror, everything that isn’t a tooth is covered by a protective lining called the oral mucosa. The oral mucosa plays an essential role in maintaining your oral health, as well as your overall health, by defending your body from germs and other irritants that enter your mouth.

Also covered by oral mucosa, gums play a critical role in your oral health. Healthy gums are firm, cover the entire tooth root, and do not bleed when brushed, poked, or prodded. Whether you are eight-years-old or eighty-years-old it is important to practice good oral hygiene to keep all of your oral cavity components healthy by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. 

 

Soft Food Diet for TMJ Relief

If you suffer from a TMJ disorder, you may notice a clicking or a popping in your jaw when you try to eat your favorite foods. This is because symptoms of TMJ disorder can include jaw discomfort and tenderness or pain when opening or closing the mouth. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we don’t want you to live on a soft diet, but incorporating soft foods into your diet may alleviate your discomfort.

Soft foods give your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers and cheesecake are good things to choose from.

If you are experiencing jaw pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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. 

Thank You For Your Reviews!

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our staff appreciates feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Dee for this four-star review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"I recently got all four wisdom teeth removed here over the past week. I am still recovering but as of right now there is nothing I can complain about they did a great job. I went in for my appointment. I waited probably five minutes and got called back. The doctor and assistants were nothing but kind to me. They gave me tons of gauze pads and a great detailed paper saying what to do for the next week basically. I had a great experience so far. I couldn't have asked for a better team for this surgery."

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning 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.