Extracting a tooth is a standard dental procedure. Most Americans will experience an extraction at least once in their life. Unfortunately, in about 5% of standard extractions and about 35% of wisdom tooth extractions, the patient also ends up suffering from a dry socket. A dry socket occurs when the protective blood clot that forms when a tooth is removed breaks loose from the gum… Source ..read more

If you’re over 25, the odds are good that you have or used to have at least one impacted tooth. Nearly 85% of all adults will have an impacted tooth – almost always a third molar or “wisdom tooth” – extracted during their lifetime. Impaction, the term used when a tooth fails to break through the gum (erupt) entirely, is a common condition that sometimes requires surgical options to correct and… Source ..read more

Surgery wouldn’t be possible without the miracle of anesthesia. Oral surgeons have a wide variety of options for preventing the patient from experiencing pain during their procedure. From local anesthetics that numb the nerve endings in a specific part of the mouth to general anesthesia that puts you safely and comfortably to sleep through the process, your surgeon can ensure that you remain… Source ..read more

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) – or as it’s commonly known, TMJ – is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions marked by pain in the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull or its surrounding tissues. If you’re suffering from TMD, you may be experiencing pain in your jaw, ears, face, neck, or even down into your shoulder and arm. Depending on the severity of the… Source ..read more

Millions of Americans experience pain in their jaws, ears, face, or head due to a temporomandibular jaw disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ. The two joints connecting the lower jaw to the skull are complex systems composed of myriad muscles, ligaments, cartilage discs, and bones responsible for giving these joints their remarkable range of motion. They are also susceptible to inflammations... Source ..read more

If you’ve been diagnosed with oral cancer, you will likely undergo surgery to remove the cancerous tissue and prevent its spread into other areas of your body. Just as there are many types of oral cancer, there are several different surgical procedures used in its treatment: Regardless of the type of cancer you have and the surgical options being pursued by your medical team, there are some things... Source ..read more

Imagine that every night, instead of a few restful hours of sleep, you’re led out onto a stage in front of thousands of people and told that you must deliver a speech that you haven’t practiced. Your heart rate would spike, your blood pressure would skyrocket, and stress hormones and increased levels of blood sugar would flood your system. That’s also what happens when you try to sleep through the... Source ..read more

Every year, about 53,000 Americans develop oral cancer. Of these 53,000, a little over 10,000 will die from the disease. However, survival rates increase dramatically when the cancer is discovered in its early stage. As with most cancers, early detection is the difference between a successful treatment and a fatal outcome. Here are some practices that can help you identify oral cancers early... Source ..read more

If you have suffered from a condition that led to reduced bone density in the jaw, have had significant trauma to your face or jaw, or are simply getting a dental implant following an extraction or other oral procedure, your dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon may recommend a dental bone graft. Dental bone grafting is a common procedure with an incredibly high success rate. Here are some of the... Source ..read more

If you have major tooth loss, dentures can be lifechanging. These prosthetic teeth can improve your facial shape, help you eat more comfortably, and boost your confidence. However, some issues accompany traditional dentures, such as the gradual loss of bone density and the frequent need for replacement. Dental implants are another option that has grown in popularity in the past few years... Source ..read more