Even with proper dental care, teeth age and can decay or break. Many damaged teeth can be repaired with fillings or crowns, but when the damage or decay is excessive, the tooth should be removed. A tooth extraction may not seem complicated, but tooth removal should only be performed by a professional – and in most cases, during a visit to an oral surgeon. Common reasons for tooth removal include: Impacted wisdom teeth Severe decay Serious broken or fractured teeth Simple Tooth Extraction Some extractions can be done without making any incisions or using special techniques. This is called a ..read more

Cleft lip and cleft palate are some of the most common congenital deformities in the world. An infant can be born with a cleft lip, a cleft palate or both. Surgery for the correction of a cleft lip is typically performed by the time an infant is 12 months old. Cleft palate repair is usually performed by the time a child is 18 months old. An individual with a cleft lip and/or palate can expect to undergo multiple sequential surgeries over the first 18 years of his or her life. These surgeries create a functional lip and palate, aid in proper speech development, reduce middle ear problems ..read more

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. The joint permits the lower jaw to move and function. TMJ disorders are not uncommon. Symptoms are usually reported by adults between the ages of 20 and 40 and tend to affect females more frequently than males. Despite TMJ disorders being widespread, only five to 10 percent of people require surgical treatment for their symptoms. Individuals with a TMJ disorder may experience a variety of symptoms, such as earaches, headaches, difficulty chewing and eating or a limited ability to ..read more

To help diagnose oral cancer early, patients should perform routine self-exams and identify potential oral cancer symptoms. The earlier oral cancer symptoms are identified and diagnosed, the easier the treatment and the greater the chance of a cure. When oral cancers are discovered in an early stage of development, the survival rate ranges from 80 to 90 percent. Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms Oral cancer symptoms can be difficult to notice in part because patients can mistake them for a toothache or a cold. If symptoms persist for several weeks or longer or significant changes are noticed dur ..read more

More than 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year, according to the National Cancer Institute. The mortality rate for oral cancer is particularly high – not because it is hard to detect, diagnose or treat, but because the cancer often is discovered late in its development. That’s why routine self-exams and routine dental/medical checkups are so important. And if a suspicious lump, sore or lesion is discovered, be sure to make an appointment with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who can provide a diagnosis and offer treatment options. Types of Oral, Head ..read more

After children have wisdom teeth removed, it is critical that parents help with following directions to ensure a quick recovery.   Article Courtesy of AAOMS, https://myoms.org/ All procedures performed at Pottstown Oral Surgery can be done under general or local anesthesia. Click here to learn more about us ..read more

Why Consider Dental Implants for Missing Teeth? from MyOMS.org on Vimeo. Missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue; they affect how a person breathes, eats and drinks. Dental implant surgery, performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS), is the most permanent solution available for missing teeth as the implants integrate directly with a patient’s jawbone. What Are Dental Implants? Depending on a patient’s needs, a single implant generally replaces one missing tooth. Two or more implants can serve as a stable support for the replacement of multiple teeth. A single den ..read more

Located in the head, the trigeminal nerve is one of the 12 cranial nerves – all with different and important roles in vision, hearing and controlling the function of facial muscles. The trigeminal nerve provides feeling to most of the face and mouth. Some problems with the nerve, such as trigeminal neuralgia, can be associated with pain. Due to its size and placement, it is possible for the trigeminal nerve to be damaged during trauma, from the growth of tumors or from infections. It also can be injured during surgical procedures such as fracture repairs, orthognathic surgery,  ..read more

While some pain is to be expected following the removal of any teeth, dry socket symptoms typically include severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction. Other symptoms include: Pain radiating from the socket outward – toward the eye, ear, neck or temple on that side of the face Visible bone in the socket Bad breath or a foul smell or taste in the mouth If patients experience any of these symptoms, they should contact their oral and maxillofacial surgeon in an effort to manage this discomfort. How to Minimize the Risk of Dry Socket In order to properly recover from a too ..read more

If you believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea, a visit to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is recommended for a complete examination and an accurate diagnosis. At your first visit, the doctor will take a medical history and perform a head and neck examination looking for problems that might contribute to sleep-related breathing problems. An interview with your bed partner or other household members about your sleeping and waking behavior may be in order. If the doctor suspects a sleep disorder, you will be referred to a sleep clinic, where your nighttime sleep patterns will be mo ..read more