Stress and Tooth Damage

Some common causes of enamel erosion include periodontal disease and acid reflux, but the public is increasingly becoming aware of how stress can contribute to tooth damage.

There are two ways in which stress is known to harm oral health: by worsening periodontal disease and by causing bruxism. When people are stressed, their immune systems don’t function as well. This prevents the body from fighting off infections, allowing bacteria to increase their activity in the gum pockets. In turn, they create plaque, leading to tooth and gum decay, and in the worst cases, damaging the jaw bones.

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding or clenching, can be caused by many things, but stress is one of the most common contributors. As people put strain on their teeth, the enamel wears off or becomes cracked. It is also possible for the teeth to shift out of alignment as a result of prolonged pressure, which weakens their gum and bone support.

Many dentists try to limit the effects of bruxism with night guards. But our specialty office offers implants for people who have suffered the worst damage, including those who have suffered cracked roots.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

Our focus on prosthetics at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania doesn’t mean we don’t value preventive care. In fact, our patients need to know how to adjust their hygienic practices so that their replacement teeth will last them a long time. We recently discussed cleaning single-crown implants; now let’s turn to fixed bridges.

Anybody who has ever worn braces should understand the basic idea of cleaning a bridge. When the bridge rests on reshaped natural teeth with artificial crowns, patients are advised to thread a strand of floss underneath it and rub the underside of the bridge in the same way they do the sides of their teeth. The floss may be looped around using a threader, which is a flexible device which pulls floss like a needle pulls thread. Some specialty floss is manufactured with a stiffened end so it may be pulled directly.

An implant-supported bridge is cleaned much the same way, except there may be a larger gap between the gum line and the prosthetic crowns. This may afford patients the opportunity to use a proxy brush, which is also known as a Christmas tree brush. A higher-tech option is a waterpick with a tip designed for use on implants.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Oral Care for Implants

If you’ve had missing teeth replaced with dental implants it’s important to practice proper oral hygiene as if you were born with them. Cleaning dental implants are very similar to the way you would clean your natural teeth with one exception – they require just a little extra attention. Maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine is vital, before, during, and after placement. Allow our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to explain why.

Healthy gums are a firm and pale pink, and if you’ve received dental implants your periodontal health should already be in tip-top shape. Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements are just as important as cleaning natural teeth because you want to keep the surrounding tissues healthy to maximize the potential of the implants. When cleaning your dental implants, be sure to choose a toothbrush that has been given the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implant oral care, 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. 

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. These teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17-25. When wisdom teeth are impacted, however, they will not erupt and put the patient at risk for infection. If this is the case, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania will likely suggest extraction. Allow us to explain the consequences that impacted wisdom teeth may cause.

Impacted teeth usually don’t bring upon symptoms, so yours may be impacted without you even knowing. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth will cause pain and because they are hard to clean, they become prone to tooth decay and periodontal disease. If wisdom teeth are impacted and extraction is suggested, our oral surgeons will discuss the extraction procedure with you in full before performing the surgery.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you 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. 

Anesthesia Side Effects

There are two types of anesthetics that we utilize here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania – local and general. Local anesthesia provides a temporary loss of sensation including pain in one part of the body produced by a topically applied or injected agent without distressing the level of consciousness for the patient. General anesthesia, on the other hand, is controlled by the doctor and sedates the patient for an extended period of time. Anesthesia produces side-effects for some patients that we’d like to take the time to explain so that you can prepare for your next appointment.

Tooth extraction is one of the most common procedures that require anesthesia. Side effects of anesthesia may occur during a surgery or procedure, or afterward when you are recovering. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting, a sore throat, muscle aches, or even confusion as the anesthesia wears off. While these symptoms may cause discomfort or frustration, it’s important to know that they won’t last long. Every patient is different and depending on what kind of anesthesia is administered you may have no side effects at all. If you have a procedure scheduled that requires anesthesia, we encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you have before it begins.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth extractions or anesthesia 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. 

What is an Alveoplasty?

Alveoplasty gets its name from the alveolar bone, which is the spongy portion of the jaw bone that includes the tooth sockets.  The goal of an alveoplasty procedure is to smooth or reshape the jaw bone.  For some patients, this is done to ensure a smooth, even surface for dentures to fit over.  This is also performed in combination with certain tooth extractions, in anticipation of an implant to replace the tooth.  Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is happy to help these patients with an alveoplasty.

The procedure begins by delivering local anesthetic, but some patients may opt for sedation.  After creating flaps in the gum tissue, the doctor is able to reach the jaw bone.  To trim the jaw bone we utilize a Piezosurgery unit, the advanced technology behind this tool allowing for precise contouring of the bone.  Once the surface of the jaw bone has been corrected the gum flaps are stitched, and healing is monitored by the dentist until the jaw bone can receive the implant or denture.

To learn more about alveoplasties and all 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 Dry Sockets

Extractions are one of our specialties at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. We are well-versed in providing our patients with the information they need to avoid post-operation complications, most notably, dry sockets. But dry sockets are more likely following extractions which required incisions, so patients should know how to recognize them and when to ask for help.

Following an extraction, the patient is expected to experience some bleeding. This is a good thing. The clot is necessary for sealing off the socket and preventing it from drying out. If it does dry, the patient will experience great pain and be at risk of infection. For that reason, we need to know about all the medications a patient is on so we can plan what to do if any of them prevent clotting. Patients will also need to schedule appointments if their bleeding does not stop within twenty-four hours.

Patients should also not sip through straws or vigorously brush near the socket for seventy-two hours, as this may dislodge the clot. Empty sockets naturally close quickly, and the risk of dryness is greatest within forty-eight hours of the extraction. Patients who experience severe pain during that time or can actually see that the clot is not in place should also schedule emergency appointments so we may apply medicated wound dressing in the clot’s place.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.