October 2013 - The Dental Place

October 25, 2013

Just like any other kind of surgery, oral surgery requires diligent care for a successful recovery. If you’ve had a wisdom tooth extracted, you can take certain steps to be sure your recovery is as quick and easy as possible.

Caring for Your Mouth After an Extraction

After your wisdom tooth is extracted, you’ll have a “socket” left behind where the tooth once rested. This socket takes some time to heal. Since wisdom teeth are relatively large, you should take special care to be sure the socket is kept clean and that bleeding is kept under control. In some cases, your dentist might use stitches to close the socket, but this depends upon how large the tooth was and whether or not it was impacted.

Your dentist will provide instructions on how to care for your mouth after your surgery. Some steps to take to ensure a smooth recovery include:

•   Take medications as instructed, including antibiotics
•   Do not use a straw
•   Place an ice pack on your jaw to reduce swelling
•   Avoid smoking
•   Eat liquid or soft foods for the first few days

Following these instructions, as well as any instructions provided by your dentist, will help reduce discomfort, protect the healing area, and speed your recovery.

Avoiding Dry Socket

One complication that can develop after an extraction is called dry socket. The empty socket is protected by a clot that forms after the tooth is removed. This clot covers exposed nerves and bone in the jaw. If the clot is dislodged before healing is complete, the result is called dry socket.

Dry socket can be extremely uncomfortable and can slow the healing process. To prevent it from occurring, avoid drinking from a straw or touching the area where the tooth was removed. If you experience extreme discomfort when cold or hot water or even air touch the socket, be sure to see your dentist immediately for treatment.

For additional tips and to schedule your informative consultation, contact our skilled and dedicated dental team today. Call 972-264-5795 to schedule your visit.

October 16, 2013

As with any change to a part of your body, dentures can take a period of adjustment before a comfort level is achieved.

A denture is used to replace lost permanent teeth. A partial denture replaces several teeth while a complete denture is employed for a missing upper or lower arch. When consulting with your dentist about dentures, there are several considerations:

Fixed or removable – If a removable denture is your choice, there are options available as to the attachment mechanism used. A fixed denture is permanent, and if the teeth that abut the area to be treated are healthy, this may be the most desired option. That is because there are no concerns about a fixed denture slipping when speaking, smiling or eating.
Immediate or conventional – An immediate denture is prepared prior to having teeth removed. There are no temporaries to deal with as the final denture is placed immediately following extraction. A conventional denture is placed after healing has taken place.

Eating with dentures can take a little practice, especially depending on the type of denture you have selected. Many patients are tempted to remove their denture initially when eating; however this will make it difficult to learn how to eat with it in place.

Ideally, leaving the denture in place and selecting soft foods is best at first. When learning to eat more solid foods, smaller bites and chewing on both sides will expedite the comfort level. Caution is to be exercised when eating and drinking hot items as the senses may need a period of adjustment as well.

During the first couple of weeks of learning to live with your new denture, you may experience temporary discomfort as you adjust. Your denture has been customized specifically for you, but do not hesitate to contact your dentist if sores develop or your denture feels like it is slipping.

Do not make the mistake of trying to make adjustments to your denture on your own. If your new denture is experiencing movement you may be tempted to make a few minor tweaks on your own to eliminate a trip for adjustment, but it is ill advised. Your dentist made this denture for your comfort and function, so allow for needed adjustments.

If you are considering dentures as a tooth replacement solution, contact our experienced team at The Dental Place and schedule your personal consultation today.

October 3, 2013

Dental implants describe a procedure where a metal device is surgically imbedded in gum tissue where a permanent tooth has been lost as a means to provide a solid base for a crown, implant supported bridge, or total replacement of the upper and/or lower arch.

A patient should have attained bone maturity before considering dental implants. That is because once the implant has been placed, it is critical that bone fuse to the implant exactly where it has been placed. In a child, bones in the jaw are still growing making it very difficult for the implant to remain stable.

Why is this stability so important? Think about the root of a natural tooth. If the root is displaced because of jaw bone growth, the tooth attached to it would also shift. Teeth shifting can create a malocclusion, a condition where the upper teeth do not properly align with the bottom. This can result in any number of problems from bite issues to teeth ultimately requiring straightening.

A dental implant is intended to function like that of the root of a biological tooth. That is to provide stability for the tooth it supports. The canals or interior of the teeth’s roots also contain blood, pulp and nerve tissue, but these do not have a role in the function of the root of the tooth so their absence with dental implants is not a factor.

With a child still experiencing bone growth, dental implants are impractical, and can actually do harm for future bone growth. When a younger adolescent or teenager loses a permanent tooth, there are options that are temporary that provide cosmetic relief. A flipper, which is used to replace one tooth, is probably the choice most patients make until achieving bone maturity when an implant can be placed.

There have been documented cases where implants were placed in children. Usually in cases like this, the child has failed to develop one or all teeth, and implants are a better option than a denture for a child. There is a possibility that the implants and their restorations may need to be replaced when the child becomes an adult.

A consultation with our dental team will provide the best options for teeth replacement for a child or adult. With the many options available, smile improvements are very attainable. Call 972-264-5795 to learn more.