Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma

If an adult tooth is lost or damaged after a repair, it is necessary to remove the tooth (or teeth) for the safety of the rest of teeth, gums and jaw. Several choices are available to remove the tooth’s crown or top, but the whole tooth, including its root, is replaced by dental implants. The oral surgeons at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma will use smaller titanium screws to mimic the natural root of the tooth, providing superior support for reconstruction and continuous stimulation of the mandibular bone. Dental implants are a safe alternative for patients who are safe candidates. There are also several variables, including bruxism that may impact ultimate therapy performance. Bruxism and dental implant failure for our Montgomery patients are a risk to consider before care starts.

What Does Bruxism Mean?

Bruxism is the medical term used to lock and / or mold the teeth. Although most patients clench or grind at night during their sleep, it may also take place during the day. As this practice is involuntary, most patients do not even know the disease until a dentist finds signs of structural damage to their teeth.

Bruxis and Dental Implants

The continued strain on the teeth and jaws of bruxis sufferers is likely to cause damage over time while dental implants have to be repaired to withstand biting powers. All porcelain restoration and the titanium “heart” dental implant may be overly pressurized by grinding and clenching. It can affect not only the reconstruction itself, it can also interfere with the ability of implants to fuse the jaw bone, which is an important factor in the healing process for dental implants. As a consequence, Bruxism is likely to lead to a failure of the implant. Therefore Bruxism sufferers are unlikely to be suitable candidates for dental implants, unless the disorder can be treated before therapy.

Treating Bruxism

It is important to deal with this issue before we can continue with implant care when our oral surgeon sees signs of Bruxism. There are many ways to handle Bruxism, and both the extent of Bruxism and the possible cause should be the best treatment.

 Below are some strategies for bruxis treatment.

• Stress reduction / relaxation methods,
• Mouth dental security to balance the jaw and to protect the teeth when you are sleeping.

Regarding the treatment chosen, patients may be eligible for treatment with dental implants and the advantages they provide if Bruxism is managed.

Dental implants schedule offer superior comfort, stability and durability in restore therapy. We encourage

You have to make an appointment with one of our qualified oral surgeons at the Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma, you have experienced adult teeth loss and want to know if dental implants are right for you. We’re excited to listen to you!

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

An ambulatory procedure performed by the dentist is a tooth extraction. In some cases teeth can be necessary to preserve or improve your dental health. In some cases you can remove a denture from its entire spot in the jaw bone.

Pull or Not Pull Tooth – What Is Your Tooth Extraction Method

Your dentist’s harshest thing ever to tell you is that you need a tooth removal. This statement may also send chills down your spines for the most painful people. It’s a sensational statement because everyone who has a tooth extraction process knows that it is physically painful by all means.

It is now common for people to avoid pain. In particular, you ought to avoid this pain.

Root Canal

For many dental surgeons, root canals have become a common practice. So, some dentists prefer root canals, even for minor dental-root and teeth-related issues in general.

So, you should definitely take a second option if your dentist has immediately recommended that you extract the tooth without considering a root canal. Even if you were told you should go to a root canal, it taking a second opinion will help you always.

A root canal is an operation of the dental industry, which cuts off the roots of infected teeth so that the teeth lose all sensations or pain caused by the infected root. This ensures that the tooth does not cause pain anymore and that the affected root does not infect the adjacent roots in the mouth.

The root canal can be a seamless process in the hands of an experienced expert; far more flawless than a tooth removal process.

Root Canal May Not Be an Option

You should be aware that the root canal cannot be a solution to your tooth problems, even after considering all its potential. Root canal only works until your teeth suffer a certain level of damage. It may be more useful to just extract the tooth that causes the whole issue if your teeth are hollow in or because of cavities affecting your nearest teeth.

Process of Tooth Extraction

Simple – The removal of a tooth visible in the mouth is a simple tooth extraction. This may involve removing a severely damaged or decayed tooth or removing teeth before braces are given. Dentists in general can make simple dental removals. You receive local anesthesia if you are undergoing simple dental extraction. Furthermore, some dentists administer anxiety medications or apply deliberate sedation in simple cases of pulling teeth. For pain management after these procedures, over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient.

Surgical – Operation of the oral surgeon involving the removal of teeth not visible in the mouth as a result of their inability or because of the tooth’s break-out is surgery for the tooth extraction. Persons with special health conditions may receive anesthesia in general when they draw teeth with surgery. You may also be given medication for prescription pain immediately after surgery.

It is your choice ultimately. Whatever option you choose, do not delay to book your appointment at Oral and Facial Surgery. Dr Wooten will help to get a flawless treatment.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

Thinking about tooth extraction can give you nightmare and that fear you cannot get over at all. You realize that losing a tooth with extraction is not a very good thing as an adult. This process can be very stressful, not even physically but also mentally.

Therefore, you need to have a preparation before you go for tooth extraction. Read on to learn what you should do to ease your anxiety related to this treatment process.

What Should You Do before the Extraction?

You can follow some of the ways to get prepared for the extraction.

Get Everything Cleared

If you have any confusion regarding the surgery, you must make it clear from the dentist that you consult. Do not think that your question is too silly, just ask it to get the mental satisfaction you are urging for.

Expose Medical History

Make sure that your dentist knows your medical details. It is necessary to share your health history before your procedure begins. You should be thorough and not leave out any information.

• Bacterial endocarditic history
• Congenital cardiovascular disease
• Mechanical or biological valves
• Liver disease
• Artificial replacement of joints
• Immune system compromised

Such factors will increase the vulnerability of the patient to infections. Don’t miss out if you have any.

Anaesthesia and Pain Relief

You are likely to get anaesthesia or sedation while the dental extraction is being carried out. What drugs are used for your particular treatment is important to know. Some people may know which forms of sedation and anaesthesia work well for them. Let the doctor know what side impacts you have experienced in the past if you have anaesthesia before. The dentist will create a strategy to ensure that you are confident but not at risk.

Avoid Eating before Surgery

You cannot eat anything 12 hours before the operation in general until the procedure is performed. During and after the treatment, this will help avoid nausea. You do not need to quick if you have a local anaesthesia, so be sure to ask before the therapy. Let the dentist know if you have a disease, such as diabetes.

What to Do After the Surgery

Although there are different aftercare ways depending on how the tooth is extracted and put, you can usually anticipate recovery within seven to ten days. You will do whatever it takes to ensure that the blood clot remains in the toothpaste. It can trigger what is called a dry socket to dislodge that may be painful.

You may try to speed up healing time, there are many things:

• If prescribed, take painkillers.
• Let the initial gauze pad remain in position for around 3 to 4 hours after the procedure.
• In the region affected immediately after the operation, add an ice pack, but at a time for just ten minutes. Too long ice packages can lead to damage to the tissue.
• Rest for 24 hours after the procedure and restrict your activities for a few days.
• Do not rinse, spit, or add a straw 24 hours after the operation to prevent dislodging the blood clot.
• Rinse your mouth every 24 hours with salt, with half a salt teaspoon and 8 ounces of warm water.
• Stop cigarettes.
• Try to brush your teeth and floss those to avoid infection, even though you are unable to remove them.

Contact Oral & Facial Surgery in OKC for tooth extraction. Dr Wooten will take proper care and make sure your surgery is not a very painful one.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

For any dental issues, seeing a doctor is an obvious choice. Decay in tooth, infection, tooth fracture, damaged filling, abscessed tooth could the reasons of toothache. If you have fever along with swollen and bleeding gums, pus, mouth odor, swollen jaw – you should see a dentist. Heat and ice pack would relieve the pain. Salt and warm water also help. Visit an oral surgery specialist if you need help.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

You perhaps already know what wisdom teeth are and think wisdom teeth removal as an immensely painful process. Here we will explore the little known and interesting facts on wisdom teeth.

Fact 1

In the prehistoric age, the human diets include raw meat, tree roots and other similar hard foods.  Humans need powerful and strong teeth to cut those foods and also to catch and consume. But we have evolved a lot now and we do not need such strong teeth now to cut foods since we have a more refined menu now.

Fact 2

Wisdom teeth or third molars appear in the age between 17 to 25. For some people the time of wisdom teeth appearance is immensely painful. When the jaw is small, it makes the wisdom teeth impacted and they cannot break through the gums. Sometimes wisdom teeth break through the gums partly and form a flap and it traps foods and germs. This trapping often causes teeth and gum infection, damages adjacent teeth and forms cysts. Moreover, since the wisdom teeth are located so far back of the mouth, they are hard to clean and it increases the risks of decay and germ trapping.

 Fact 3

Roots are formed first for the teeth and then they push the teeth or the visible part (known as buds) out of the gum. Most of the wisdom teeth have two or more roots but sometimes that could be more than that. This is why doctors may need to remove the teeth and it should be done before the roots start to take hold. Surgeons may keep the roots as it gives something to grip since removing a tiny bud could be difficult.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction for Problem Prevention

Your doctor may want to remove wisdom teeth to prevent –

• Overcrowding at the back of the mouth
• Teeth impaction in the jaw
• Tooth decay caused by gum disease

Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

The surgeon will first give a local anesthesia to the surrounding to make the area numb. For several teeth removal, it could be a general anesthesia. The surgeon will cut open the gum tissue covering the tooth. Next, if there is any bone covering the tooth will be removed. Then the connecting tissue is removed following the tooth.

After Care

• Change the gauze inside the mouth when needed.
• Do not bite mouth or tongue.
• Do not lie flat and keep the head up using pillows.
• Ice compress on the cheek for 15 minutes on day of surgery.
• Avoid too much physical activities.
• Eat sift foods and do not use straws.
• Follow doctors’ instructions rigidly.

Contact Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma for wisdom teeth removal. When the wisdom teeth are causing jaw ache and other pain, difficulty in food consumption, you should go for the removal.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

Periodontal disease is also known as periodontitis. It can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. The disease begins when the surrounding and supporting gingival of the teeth are irritated and inflamed. This is due to an increase of plaques and leads to a continuous infection of bacteria. In the gingival tissue, the infection grows up. Then form deep pockets between the teeth and the gums that cause damage to the gum and the underlying jaw and tooth loss. In more severe cases, this infection can cause bacteria to migrate to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. If you have tooth loss due to periodontitis, you can certainly get dental implant; beforehand the condition must be treated.

The Causes

Periodontal disease prevention is crucial to your smile preservation. Preventive measures can reduce your risk in many cases significantly. Some common causes of gum disease are listed below.

Dental Hygiene

Plaque and tartar if not removed, brushing, flossing, and regular dental habits if neglected, bacterial toxins start affecting the gums and bones. Gingivitis or periodontitis can be caused that eventually leads to tooth loss.

Tobacco

Research has shown for the development gum diseases the use of smoking and tobacco are two of the most influential factors. The recovery and healing rate of smoking and tobacco users is slower. Furthermore, the accumulation of tartars on the teeth, the development of deep gingival tissue pockets and the horrific side effects of substantial bone loss are much more common.

Medicine

Many drugs, including oral contraceptive, antidepressants and cardiac medicines, influence your teeth and gum’s overall condition and make you more susceptible to gum disease. Steroid use encourages overgrowth of gingival that increases the risk of swelling and allows bacteria to colonize in the gum tissues. Diabetes hampers the ability of the body to use insulin, making it more difficult to control and treat bacterial infections in the gums. Other medical conditions, including respiratory disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis, can intensify or accelerate the onset and progression of gum disease.

Teeth Grinding

The supporting tissue around the tooth can suffer significantly from clenching or grinding teeth. Grinding teeth are normally associated with “bad bite” or misalignment; however, additional damage to gingival tissue because of grinding can quickly track the progression of the condition when a person is suffering from gum disease.

Symptoms

• Bad breathe
• Red, swollen gums
• Gum bleeding
• Sensitive tooth
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth

Diagnosis

• Test your gums and notice inflammatory signs.
• To inspect and measure pockets around your teeth, use a small ruler called. The depth of these pockets in a healthy mouth usually ranges from 1 to 3 mm. This pocket depth test usually does not have pain.
• Ask your medical records about conditions or risk factors that contribute to gum disease (such as smoking or diabetes).

The Professionals may:

• Take an x-ray to see if bone loss occurs.
• Refer to a journalist. Periodontists are experts in diagnosing and treating gum disease and can offer treatments that your dentist doesn’t offer.

For dental implants you can contact Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma. Dr. Wooten will help you to diagnose and treat periodontitis and other dental problems.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

Dentophobia or dental phobia is term that is broadly used to describe the condition of fear and anxiety to visit a dentist. People who have this fear may avoid dental fear and visiting a dentist or an oral surgeon.

Dentophobia Types

The Dentist – Some people fear IRS auditors and surgeons, others fear dentists irrationally. You may think all dentists are the same if you have had a negative experience with a certain dentist.

Pain – Fully painless dentistry is not possible, and there is some pain in most procedures. Most people are susceptible to oral disease and some dentistry patients may believe that discomfort lasts forever.

Noises – Some people with dentophobia worry about the sounds coming from the office of a dentist. For example, when you hear the sound from the drill, some patients may be numb.

Needles – If you fear needles, you might be frightened by the needles used by dentists to addict the mouth of a patient.

Symptoms of Dental Phobia

• Sweating
• Low blood pressure
• Distress
• Withdrawal symptoms

Other Signs of Dental Phobia

1. Sleeping issues
2. Nervousness
3. Feeling ill physically and crying

Dental Phobia Causes

Pain and Fear

Pain fear is a very common reason for the dentist’s avoidance. This fear is usually the result of a previous dental experience that was uncomfortable or painful or from other people’s history of ‘dental pain and horror.’ Due to the numerous advances made in dentistry over the years, the majority of dental procedures today are significantly less painful and even painless.

Injection Fears

Many people, especially when inserted in your mouth, are scared of needles. In addition to this fear, other people fear that the anesthesia has not yet come into effect or has not been sufficiently large as to eliminate pain before the dental procedure begins.

Side Effects’ Fear

Some people are concerned about potential side effects like dizziness, tiredness or nausea. Others don’t like local anesthesia’s numbness or “fat lip.”

Feeling Helpless

Given the situation – sitting in the dental chair with your mouth wide open, unable to see what is going on, people usually feel those emotions.

Embarrassment and Feeling Lack of Privacy

The physical closeness of the dentist / hygiene to your face makes many people feel uncomfortable. Others may feel self-aware of the appearance or possible mouth odor due to their teeth.

Contact Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma without delay. Consult our oral surgeon in OKC for any of your dental problems.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

It has no denial that tooth loss makes eating troublesome. Specific tooth has specific tasks and it can cause problems while biting and chewing. You may not be able to eat certain foods and have problems to eat. With a missing tooth the common problems and bone loss and gum recession. When the root structure is misplaced the bone and gum tissue will move away. It will come up with greater problems with teeth alignment and teeth gap. Also you must keep the oral aesthetics in mind. Frontal tooth loss or missing tooth will make your appearance down.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are in reality artificial tooth root. This is surgically placed in the place of jawbone and gum tissue. After placement, they act just like the natural tooth. The dental implantation helps in dental restorations and use of dental appliances after single or multiple teeth restoration.

An Ideal Candidate

People who have missing tooth or multiple teeth are the ideal candidates for dental implant. The candidates should have sufficient density in jaw and gumline. The patients should have good health and realistic expectations about what they can achieve from dental implant.

Single Tooth Implant

If just one tooth is missing in any parts of the mouth, it needs single tooth implant. The option is using the dental implant for supporting the separate dental crowns. The crowns look completely natural and support the adjacent teeth and the teeth from the opposite arc.

Multiple Tooth Implant

When multiple teeth are missing it is the time for multiple tooth replacement. There could be the need of multiple dental implants for supporting the dental bridge. A dental bridge is a teeth set of multiple artificial teeth.

Dental Implant Receiving

The specialists use x-rays to check the jaws for dental implant. The x-ray helps in finding the strongest areas of tissue of the bone and they would make sure that dental implants stay away from the sinus passages. Thereafter, the dentist will find the right place for dental replacement and will numb the gum and the jawbone. The dentist will make incisions to soft tissues for positioning the jaw implant. After keeping everything in place, the dentist will arrange the gum tissue and will stitch up the area for closing the incision. Contact Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma for dental implants.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

Peg teeth are also referred to as ‘Dracula teeth’ and result from a dental condition known as microdontia. Microdontia occurs when the normal tooth smaller than the average size.

Although this dental disorder is not as severe as others, and has no effect on dental health at all, it affects your smile and may cause shame about your teeth. If you think you have peg teeth, read on to find out more about what treatment options an oral surgeon has for you.

A Mistaken Identity

Microdontia is a condition which most people don’t know well. Many have never heard of “Dracula teeth” and refer to them only as tiny teeth. Also, most people incorrectly refer to them as baby teeth but sometimes this is not the case. After puberty chances of developing a baby tooth are very rare. Peg teeth on the other side of the jaw can be smaller than the lateral tooth, have large gaps around them and can be relatively straight.

This Is Congenital

It is believed that peg lateral incisor is congenital although it may remain unnoticed until adulthood. It doesn’t have to mean your current oral and general health being affected by the fact that you have a peg tooth. The presence of peg teeth, however, can point to a congenital defect or current condition that needs to be addressed. A number of conditions can cause peg teeth, most inherited to them. And, the peg tooth’s most notorious cause is congenital syphilis. The rare, irregular shape of the tooth is created when the mother did not begin treatment with penicillin until the teeth started forming.

Many genetic disorders may also be causing peg teeth. One such is ectodermal dysplasia. This disorder causes skin and hair defects, and not just peg teeth. This is a rare birth defect and condition and if results in abnormal teeth or hyper-pigmented skin.

Another Tooth Development with Peg Tooth

Despite the aesthetics and unusual appearance, there’s nothing to panic about the peg teeth themselves. They can never be fully functional because of their size, and they don’t cause alignment or bite problems. Though there are gaps around them, nearby teeth’s position will not shift.

If the dentist thinks there is a tooth inside the mouth he will prescribe an X-ray to determine the degree of structural harm that the disease causes. There are many options for treatment, which depend on the extent of injury. The tooth extraction is the worst condition. Even pain relief is recommended for patients if the gums are inflamed because of the disease.

A Good Dentist Can Help

Only an oral surgeon can treat peg teeth with accuracy. As we said earlier, peg teeth can be confused with baby teeth. So diagnosing peg teeth in children can be tricky. An expert should also be able to differentiate between a baby tooth and a peg tooth. When your child has a pointed “Dracula” tooth which is oddly shaped, consult a dentist.

If a child has a peg-shaped tooth, consult your oral surgeon on the treatment options. The dentist would most likely prescribe first, cosmetic bondings, a temporary solution. To cut down the peg tooth gaps, the dentist may also prescribe braces. Do not forget that a peg tooth may present the same problems as “normal” teeth, so watch out for cavities and abscesses. Contact Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma if peg tooth is bothering you a lot.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.

There are several apparent reasons for jaw pain, from grinding your teeth to a fist blow to the jaw while you sleep. When you feel pain in your mouth, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is the most frequent cause. If the jaw pain gets worse or you have problem with daily activities, maxillofacial surgeon can help you get rid of the problem from the root.

How Jaw Pain Is Common?

Many people go through life without feeling any serious jaw pain, and others will feel it only after they have been in a car accident or experienced similar injuries. TMJ pain is also followed by trouble in opening and closing your mouth, and the sensation that your jaw clicks or gets stuck. While issues with TMJ are often caused by clenching the jaw or untreated dental problems, there may also be pain in your jaw due to injuries suffered in a car accident. Indeed, the American Dental Association reports that 44 to 99% of TMJ problems are linked to trauma, with car accidents being the most prevalent form of trauma.

Jaw Pain and Car Injuries

Roughly 1 in 3 people prone to whiplash are at higher risk of delayed jaw pain, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association. Since many people have no noticeable jaw pain immediately after a car accident, it’s normal not to associate their pain with the accident at all. Consequently, any jaw pain that happens following an auto accident can still be directly linked to injuries from the crash, even up to a year down the road.

We are aware of the impact that car accidents can have on your face, and we suggest that you visit a doctor after one, whether you have suffered whiplash or seem to have stayed unscathed. It is preferable to finding issues with TMJ any farther down the line, as they get worse. If you have had a car accident or any injuries to your neck or face, please call a doctor immediately.

This is the hinge that attaches your jaw to the skull just in front of your mouth, allowing you to chew, speak and yawn. Your TMJ can get inflamed, among other reasons, due to tension, clenching your jaw or arthritis.

Popular Signals and Symptoms

Only a doctor can diagnose a TMJ injury correctly and accurately but all of the following symptoms can suggest serious injury to your jaw:

• Clicking sound while opening or closing your mouth, particularly while chewing
• Locking your jaw
• Trouble or discomfort when chewing or biting
• Tenderness or dullness, pain in the face, particularly while awakening
• Constant headaches
• Pain in the neck, shoulders and back
• Stuffiness or pain in the sinus region
• Dizziness

Get yourself diagnosed first to know what the problem is. Visit Oral and Facial Surgery in Oklahoma for treatment. Dr Wooten is one of the renowned maxillofacial surgeon who can provide flawless treatment.

**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.