Caries in Seniors

The high rate of tooth decay among seniors makes it especially important for our patients to understand how to properly clean implants. According to information from the Centers for Disease Control, one in five seniors has untreated tooth decay. Since it’s not just natural teeth that are vulnerable, people need to understand why seniors have the second-highest rate of caries after children.

That caries commonly develop in seniors who had good health earlier in life implies that their increased tooth decay is due to a change in lifestyle, instead of being a generational feature. Seniors often have dexterity and motor control issues that make it difficult for them to maintain thorough oral hygiene. They also often change their diets to focus more on soft food which gets stuck between their teeth more easily and tend to be high in sugar. Lots of medications cause dry mouth as a side effect, and this makes it harder to remove food debris and fight the growth of decay-causing bacteria colonies. Other issues are that seniors may not have coverage for regular cleanings or simply forget to brush and floss.

These issues are important to take into account when assessing patients for implants, but they are also all fixable. Potential implant patients should discuss how to clean implants and dentures properly with their dentist.

Our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145 would gladly evaluate you for a dental implant.  To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Reducing Children's Anxiety

Children are commonly anxious around strangers, and at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we’re aware that particular care needs to be taken psychologically while preparing them for tooth extractions. There are things parents can do to help calm their child, but we first want to establish that we are happy to answer all their questions about what exactly will happen during the surgery and recovery.

Children usually take their cues from their parents, so we hope that if the parents feel they have a good understanding of the procedure, they will demonstrate calm and optimism. We don’t do extractions lightly and want to ensure that each child understands why they are necessary. Although we are skilled in safely applying IV sedation, it is often the case that only local anesthetic is necessary for simple extractions. Knowing that they will be free of pain, but not completely out of control is a great comfort.  Another thing parents can do to keep their child in a positive mindset is focus on planning for post-operation care. This includes things like preparing soft meals and coming up with things to do if the child misses a day of school.

Our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145 will be happy to treat your child.  To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Oral Cancer Screening

The doctors of Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have seen many oral cancer cases, and want you and your family to be aware of the risk. Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth. 

Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  You can also watch out for warning signs on your own.  If you notice red or white patches or a lump on the inside of the mouth, have difficult time chewing or swallowing, or experience a sore throat that doesn’t go away, come see us for a screening. For an oral cancer screening in office, your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about oral cancer screening and all the services we offer, 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.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Are you afraid to smile in photos because you’re embarrassed by missing teeth? If so, dental implants are an option for you. Missing teeth can not only make a person frown, but it can make them look older in appearance due to sagging skin. A dental implant is a titanium post that resembles a tooth root and is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line that allows our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to mount replacement teeth in the affected area.

To receive dental implants, a patient must have healthy gums and adequate bone structure to support the implant. Once you are deemed a candidate, there are many benefits to reap from dental implants. Not only will you notice a boost of self-esteem, but the ability to eat and speak will be improved. Implants are very durable and can last over 30 years with proper oral hygiene. If you have missing teeth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options.

To inquire about dental implants or to learn more about the services we provide, 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.

Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

You’re sitting at home, and you’re starving after an oral surgery procedure. Perhaps our doctors of Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania gave you a list of foods to eat, but you don’t have a taste for anything on the post-op menu. Well, don’t worry because we’re here to offer some suggestions to you and to remind you how important it is to eat soft foods after oral surgery.

We understand that a soft food diet may have you feeling a little foolish, but eating soft foods prevents stitches from coming undone after a procedure. To encourage a smooth recovery, get creative with applesauce, ice cream (no sprinkles), soup, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. These foods will not only provide you with relief, but they can give you plenty of nutrients when chosen wisely. Additionally, oatmeal and smoothies can fill you up and keep your smile healthy.

To inquire about foods to eat after oral surgery or to learn more about the services we provide, 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.

Apicoectomy

Many dentists perform root canals to save and repair teeth that are badly damaged or infected.  During a root canal, a dentist removes any inflamed or infected tissue and thoroughly cleans the root canal system. In about 90% of cases, the tooth heals and doesn’t require further treatment. When an infection won’t go away or the canals become re-infected after root canal treatment, our doctors can perform an apicoectomy.

An apicoectomy is also called a root-end resection and is performed to remove damaged tissue and seal a tooth’s root from any further infections.  The procedure involves a small incision in the gums, followed by removal of any infected tissue and finally the end of the root tip itself.  A root-end filling is placed there to act as a seal, preventing reinfection. The gum is sutured, and most patients only feel slight discomfort or swelling during healing.  If you have a tooth infection lingering after a root canal gone wrong, please contact us to discuss your treatment options.

To learn more about the apicoectomy procedure and all the services we offer, 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 Positive Testimonials!

The doctors and staff of Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania appreciate feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Sherrise Pritchett for this five-star review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from us, please let us know!  

From the moment we walked in the door the staff was very welcoming. Also, like so many times at other physicians’ offices, we didn't have to wait forever to be seen but only about 10 minutes. Thank you for that, I have a really bad back so sitting for a long time is very painful. The nurse who took my x-rays and blood pressure was very hospitable as well as informing. The doctor was very professional yet friendly and caring. The person with regard to payment and cost for future work was very professional and kind and we so appreciated the doctor's kindness in giving us a break on the cost for the day and the future visit. Once we know that we have obtained the monies for the procedure we will call for an appointment. Again, thank you." –Sherrise Pritchett

To leave a review or learn more about the services we provide, 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.