What to Expect With Oral Surgery

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If you are going to be having oral surgery soon, there are some things that you’ll need to know. Oral surgery is like other surgeries, in that it should be taken very seriously. And, just like many other kinds of surgeries, it will be done by a specialist. In most cases, you’ll be consulting with your oral surgeon directly in the days leading up to your surgery. You’ll have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, but in the meantime, here is some information to get you started.

Preparing For Oral Surgery

Whether or not your oral surgery is performed as an in-patient or out-patient, you’ll want to have someone accompany you. This person will be there to support you, help navigate the process, and be there after the surgery. In the days leading up to surgery, avoid drinking, smoking, or eating in excess. Your surgeon may even ask you to fast for 12-24 hours before surgery. Include plenty of water in your day to avoid dehydration.

During Oral Surgery

If you are to be under general anesthesia, all you have to do is lie down and trust your doctors. You won’t feel anything until after you wake up. If you are to have local anesthesia, you’ll be given a sedative as well as numbing agents. You may be vaguely aware of what’s happening, but you won’t be fully alert.

Post Oral Surgery

When you first wake up, you’ll be very groggy and you may feel very heavy. You won’t feel any pain. However, as time goes on, you will start to feel pain, at which point you need to tell a nurse so you can get medication. After you’re stable enough to go home, you’ll be released to continue to recover at home. You’ll definitely need someone to drive you home afterward because the medication will make you groggy and unable to drive. You should also expect to have someone stay with you for two or three days at home to prepare meals and care for you.

Your oral surgery team will give you detailed after-care instructions so you know just what to do and what not to do. In time, you’ll fully recover and be glad to have received the oral surgery treatment that you needed.

 

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

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The loss of a permanent tooth can be upsetting in numerous ways. Initially, the individual usually has concerns related to the impact the lost tooth will have on his or her smile. While the cosmetic aspect of tooth loss is important, a lost tooth can lead to the onset of a variety of other issues and health concerns.

Reasons for Missing Permanent Teeth

While implementing a daily oral health routine can go a long way in preventing cavities and the onset of gum disease resulting in tooth loss, there are times when the loss of a tooth cannot be prevented. For example, a permanent tooth may be missing because it never developed (i.e., hypodontia) or the individual may have experienced some type of mouth trauma that led to the loss of a tooth. Despite the cause, replacing the missing tooth is not an option, but a necessity.

Replacing Missing Teeth is Vital to an Individual’s Overall Health

From shifting teeth to jawbone deterioration, there are numerous reasons that missing teeth need to be replaced.

The importance of replacing missing teeth:

To keep the teeth in alignment – Even if only one tooth is missing, over time the teeth begin to move. This movement can make it possible for oral bacteria to attack the roots of the teeth, resulting in the onset of a painful infection that has the capability of damaging the remaining teeth.

To avoid the need for lifestyle modifications – Modifying the types of foods eaten or how an individual eats certain food may be necessary following tooth loss. For example, if a front tooth has been lost, just biting into an apple can be a challenge. In addition, the rest of the digestive system counts on the ability of the teeth to chew food effectively, therefore, the absence of a tooth or several teeth can hinder the rest of the digestive process.

To prevent jawbone deterioration – The jawbone relies on the roots of the teeth to remain healthy. The pressure placed on the bone stimulates it to produce new cells. After a tooth is lost, pressure is no longer placed on that section of jawbone which means it is not being stimulated. This loss of stimulation leads to deterioration. It is this deterioration process that causes facial characteristics like sunken-in cheeks, which tend to make an individual appear older than he or she actually is.

Other issues linked to missing teeth include:

  • Speech issues.
  • Depression or anxiety.
  • Problems with self-esteem.
  • Temporomandibular jaw syndrome (TMJ).
  • Chronic headaches.
  • Poor nutrition.

If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, we can help. With dental implants, people who have lost teeth can regain the freedom they once had to eat what they want, speak well and eliminate concerns related to the shifting of a removable dental prosthesis.

To learn more, contact your closest Heritage Oral Surgery and Implant Center to make an appointment with an experienced dental implant specialist. To request an appointment using our online form, please click here.

Office Phone Numbers:

Valencia

661-253-3500

27450 Tourney Road, Suite 160, Valencia, California

West Valley

818-703-8200

22142 Sherman Way, Ste 201, Canoga Park, California

Palmdale

661-538-1400

843 Auto Center Drive, Ste B, Palmdale, California

 

Five Signs That Your Implants May Be Failing

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Dental implants are considered to be a better option among patients and their dental health care providers for a variety of reasons. Implants look and feel more like natural teeth, and patients love not having to take them out at night. Most of the time, there are little-to-no complications involved with dental implants, but every now and then, a patient has problems. The following are five signs that your implants may be failing and that you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Persistent and Noticeable Pain and Discomfort

Some pain and discomfort are normal in the days following the implant procedure, but if it persists or becomes extreme, call your dentist and ask to be seen as soon as possible. This is especially important if the pain or discomfort occurs after the implant sites have healed.

Difficulty Chewing

This is a less obvious symptom that pain or discomfort, and you might be tempted to overlook it or consider it normal. Although some difficulty chewing may be part of the picture in the days immediately following the procedure, if this condition persists, it could be a sign that a problem exists with your implants.

Swollen and/or Tender Gums

Tenderness, pain, and/or swelling of gum tissues is another sign that something may be wrong with your dental implants. Like the conditions listed above, this might occur to some extent in the days following, but if it happens after the implant sites have healed, it could indicate a serious problem.

Receding Gums

Receding gums have a variety of causes, but if you’ve had implants installed, implant failure may be among those causes. Even if the gum recession is caused by another issue, it nonetheless increases the possibility of implant failure.

Implants Coming Loose

The conditions listed above could also be signs of other issues, but if your implants are coming loose, this is probably a sure sign of implant failure. Nonetheless, there are usually preliminary symptoms involved in cases where implants begin to come loose — including all of the above conditions. If you suspect that you may be experiencing dental implant failure, contact your dentist for an appointment.

Following the advice of your dentist on how to care for your dental implants is the best way to avoid implant failure.

3 Signs You are a Good Candidate for Dental Implant Surgery

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Perhaps you have lost some or all of your natural teeth, and you are considering dental implants to restore your smile. Even though dental implants are a good fit for most individuals, some people would fare better with other tooth replacement options. Here are a few good signs you are a good candidate.

Your gums are in good health.

Good gum health is imperative during dental implant surgery. Once your new implants are placed, the gum tissue needs to close around the base of the new tooth. If you have periodontal disease or other gum health issues, this process may not happen properly. In some cases, gum grafts are taken to encourage new growth around the base of the implants, but even this requires healthy tissue to start with.

You are vigilant about good oral hygiene practices.

Do you feel like your day is never right if you forget to brush your teeth in the morning? Do you floss every day? How often do you get your teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist? If you are vigilant about all of these things, you are probably going to be a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Even though the implants are made out of synthetic materials, the health of your mouth overall is what helps them stay securely in place. For example, if your lack of attention to brushing leads to gum disease, your new teeth could be at risk.

You are not a smoker.

Some cosmetic dentists will not perform dental implants on patients who are smokers, and it is for good reason. Smoking raises the temperature in your mouth considerably, according to Science Direct. The elevated temperature can make your mouth more prone to infections, which can actually prevent newly placed implants from healing. In general, smoking is bad for your oral health and should be avoided if you plan to obtain implants.

Talk to Us If You Believe You Are a Good Candidate for Dental Implants

Dental implants can change your life, and finding out you are a candidate is a big relief. If you believe you would be a good candidate for dental implants, reach out to us at Heritage Oral Surgery for an appointment.