Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma

Difference Between Dental Bridge and Dental Implant?

dental implant

The two most popular solutions for damaged dentures are dental bridges and implants. The Bridge Implant Guide compares the difference between these common treatments for tooth replacement and helps you select the best alternative. If you need to replace missing teeth by looking at the pros and cons of the options below and need advice on the choices. Before going for a dental implant in OKC, read this article.

Dental bridges can be used to satisfy a gap that can be created by one or more teeth. Your implanted teeth can give you a shape to appear as natural as possible and give a complete smile.

Why Dental Bridges Is Beneficial?

  • Faster and safer treatment than dental implants
  • Safer and more affordable choice
  • Create a natural smile
  • Can last 10 to 15 years with proper care
  • Stable and safe
  • Short recovery period

Cons

  • Shorter length of time to remove the bone
  • Risk for tooth decay and gum disease as they are vulnerable to plaque-building
  • Needs more attentive oral hygiene
  • Healthy neighboring teeth should be preserved so that the bridge can be repaired.

A dental implant is used in the prudence of the tooth as an artificial tooth root.  The teeth are not present, due to the damage in the nerve root. A stable foundation for the false substitute tooth is created with a screw anchor.

Pros

  • Strong and stable implant to help you.
  • Stimulates and protects your bones to prevent the loss of bones.
  • Surgery does not damage overlapping teeth.
  • Wider or less vulnerable to regression or gum disorders.
  • Steady implants to last a life with proper care and cleaning.

Cons

  • It can take several months and may require multiple visits to your dentist.
  • A more invasive alternative, such as bone grafting check with your dentist, if you decide between a dental bridge and a dental implant, visit your dentist for an approved dental treatment.
  • Additional treatment, such as bone grafting

Contact the dentist Dr Wooten for dental implant in OKC.

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

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Facts On Dental Implants

There are a lot of myths about dental implants. However, a proper dental implant in OKC will help you get rid of the problem permanently. You will be examined with proper tests before the surgery is performed. There is no risk in the process.

Facts on Dental Implants

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

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Managing Dental Phobia: Everything You Need to Do

dental phobia

Are you concerned about visiting your dentist? You are not alone. One study found that in America there is high dental fear of 1 in 6 adult people and 1 out of 10 children.

Serious dental concerns and pain often lead people to miss appointments or even to avoid dentists, which can lead to their oral health being in more danger.

Regular inspections are important if your dentist is to detect signs of oral health problems at an early stage, when it is easier to treat them – thus avoiding the risk of dentists becoming more likely.

If the oral health issue remains undiagnosed and untreated for a long time, you will need costlier treatment when you will be visiting your dentist. You can only reinforce dental anxiety in a vicious circle when you visit your dentist if something has wrong with your teeth.

Here are some recommended strategies to overcome fear of dentists and dentistries to conquer fear and recover your oral health.

Address the patient’s anxiety with dentists, and they know the signs of dental anxiety. Talk with dentists. You should not be embarrassed to address your particular or general fear with your dentist openly so that your visit is as adaptable as possible to your needs.

A “show-do” which helps to create confidence and trust between dentists and patients, is one of the strategies suggested when coping with dental anxiety. The dentist should ensure you know what to expect during your appointment, so that you do not have to worry about any unpleasant surprises by describing all the steps in a control or therapy and showing your tools and equipment.

The doctor may also suggest other preventive measures, such as breaks and alarms, so you understand that if you need time to safely interrupt or delay the treatment.

Many dental operations nowadays have a TV display and entertainment options, which include TV shows, films, music and even video games. There is evidence that visual and audio stimulation focus can provide more relaxation for people with mild to moderate dental anxiety.

If this helps to block the sound of drills and other sounds that annoy you, the dentist will ask if you can listen to music with your own headphones.

Most people fear that dentists may use exercises to reduce heart rate and muscle tension. Practice calming strategies.

Respiratory exercises are available before your appointment in a dental clinic or at home. Progressive muscle relaxation took longer time to be successful and can be recommended 1 to 2 weeks once every day.

Dental Sedation

You should ask a dentist if other approaches to relaxation do not work or you want more help.

There can be side effects, including slumps, which can affect the recovery time, depending on the type of sedatives you pick. The dentist must clarify these risks in order for you to make health choices.

  • Inhalation (nitrogen oxide or “hot gas”)
  • Oral sedation
  • Intravenous (IV) sedation are the three common forms of conscious sedation.

Reach to Dr Wooten for dental surgeon in Oklahoma City. Here at our clinic we evaluate each patiently individually, thus, treatment process is mapped.

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

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Know About the Lifespan of Dental Implant

dental implant

Dental implants may last for years, or sometimes even for a lifetime. The first person to receive dental implants was Gösta Larsson of Gothenburg, Sweden in 1965; Larsson died in 2006 and had more than forty years’ dental implants. Some factors can reduce and prolong the dental implants’ life span.

Three Key Part of Dental Implants

The implant is an operating titanium post in the jawbone. The screw-shaped post connects with the natural bone shortly after the implantation into a permanent part of the jaw. The second part, called the pinnacle, connects to the implant and is right above the rubber belt. The crown that is a normal tooth replacement is the most visible part of the dental implant. The abutment and the crown are generally the most susceptible to damage so long as the titanium posts are implanted. You can go for dental implants in OKC if you need it.

Factors That Determine Lifespan Structure of Dental Implant

  • Nutrition

Dental implants in many ways improve their nutrient performance by enabling people to eat a broad range of healthy foods that missed or damaged teeth could not.

For the lifetime of an implant, nutrition is critical, both after and in the following years. The jawbone and gum are allowed to recover and bonds with titanium posts for the first week or so after the procedure. Avoiding sticky or rough food in the recovery phase helps to stabilize and bind these foods; avoiding crown damage in subsequent years is possible.

  • Body Hygiene

The dental implants can last longer with good oral hygiene habits by keeping the area clean and clear of destructive bacteria that can cause tissue infection around the implant. Implant infections can cause massive discomfort and you may again need to see a doctor.

  • Overall Health and Lifestyle

Many conditions and lifestyle decisions can affect the length of dental implants. The gum disease is an infection which can negatively impact gums and jawbones that sustain the dental implants. Dental implants depend on healthy gum and jawbones. Some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, can delay cures and prevent bonding. Healing and bonding may also be impaired by medicines.

Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums that can slow the process of healing and affect the health of the gum overall. Research shows, in reality, that 6.5 to 20 per cent of smokers suffer from dental implants.

Genetics In cultures, gum disease is usually normal. While dental implants remain an option, someone who has a genetic predisposition to gum diseases must be careful to prevent gum infections that reduce the dental implant’s life span.

  • Regular Dental Treatments

Dental care can extend the life of dental implants by dentists and dental hygienists. Dental professionals can clean up teeth by removing plaque and bacteria causing contamination from difficult to reach locations. Until they affect dental implant life, dentists can detect and treat infections and other oral problems early.

You can visit Dr. Wooten of Oral & Facial Surgery for dental implant.

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

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Why Do You Need Oral Surgery for Sleep Apnea?

oral surgery

Sleep apnea is an interruption in breathing that takes place when a person sleep. Essentially, a person experiences a normal breathing interruption (an apnea), which can take a few seconds to a few minutes. Such frequent breathing interruptions during sleep can cause everyday exhaustion, cognitive confusion, and concentration and memory problems. You must contact oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma for sleep apnea treatment.

Types of Sleep Apnea

  • Obstructed Sleep Apnea (OSA) – Breathing interruptions are caused by physical airway blockage. This is the most frequent form of sleep apnea.
  • Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – Breathing interruptions are caused by problems in the brain control center.
  • Mixed Sleep Apnea – The interruptions in respiration were caused by both OSA and CSA causes.

Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has sleep disorders and low levels of oxygen in the blood. The tongue is pressed against the back of the throat when obstructive sleep apnea occurs. This blocks the top airways and stops the airflow. When the brain’s oxygen level is low enough, the person partially wakes up, the pressure in the throat clears and the air flux begins again, normally with a loud gasp.

Repeated oxygenation cycles lead to extremely serious cardiovascular problems. Some individuals also suffer from excessive sleepiness, fatigue and loss of concentration during the day.

Some patients have less serious obstructions termed Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). In each case, people are affected by many of the same symptoms.

The first phase in recovery is to recognize the symptoms and seek proper care. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons of oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma offer treatment options and consultations.

MMA or Maxillomandibular Advancement

A most active sleep apnea operation involves the modification of the bone structure of the upper and lower jaw, to help adjust the mouth’s soft tissues, including the soft palate and tongue. It helps to prevent possible obstructions in the airways.

Soft Palate Surgery

Surgery of the soft palate in a number of cases triggers breathing interruptions. The operation for the soft palate can involve removing the soft palate portion or tightening the soft palate to avoid it falling into the airways.

Nasal Surgery

Sometimes a surgical revision of the nasal cavity and airways is ideal for an obstructive sleep apnea. In a number of cases, this will include solving issues with a deviated septum, boosting respiration and coping with a variety of other respiratory problems.

Right Option

The best form of oral procedure to treat your sleep apnea depends on the nature of your case and your general health and wellness. A combination of surgery and other treatments may be appropriate when the sleep apnea is severe.

We will certainly explore all solutions for surgical and non-surgical therapies for your sleep apnea in our clinical consultation.

Numerous treatment options are available. Initial treatment can consist of a CPAP nasal machine which supplies pressurized oxygen to a nasal mask in order to limit night obstruction. One of the choices for surgery is uvulo-palato-pharyngo-plasty in the backside of the palate as well as throat. There is another similar procedure is sometimes performed by laser support and is called uvulo-palato-plasty (LAUPP). In other cases, an RFS is used to tighten the soft palate. These procedures were normally carried out in the office under light IV sedation.

The upper and lower jaw bones can be repositioned, in more complex cases, to maximize the airway volume (orthognatal operation). This operation is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia and requires 1 to 2 days of hospital stay.

OSA is a very serious condition requiring care and care. Most major medical plans offer diagnostic and treatment coverage.

Contact Dr. Wooten for oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma.

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

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Dental Sedation Options – There Are Multiple of It

dental sedation

We often choose what is sometimes called sleep dentistry if people are anxious about pain or about the dentist in particular. What makes sleep dentistry possible is the different styles of dental sedation, although not all dental sedation requires actual sleep, but some do. Find out the options, and negotiate the correct dental sedation for your next operation with your oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma.

Dental sedation requires a variety of techniques that are either used to relax a patient before and during a dental procedure or to make patients more relaxed during lengthy procedures. You probably know what is laughing gas, which is taken by many people before dental processes like having root canals. Dental sedation, however, is a more varied and complex area than just laughing gas, with plenty of choices for patients who experience discomfort or even fear while thinking about going to the office of the dentist.

Dental sedation is not part of your dentist’s pain management. Numbing agents and shots are protecting this portion of the operation. But, if you’re scared to get a shot in your gums, dental sedation will calm you down to a point where you can handle the shot. You may not even remember receiving the treatment with certain forms of sedation, even though you are awake for it.

Sedation Types

During surgery, some patients require limited sedation, while others may want to be completely unconscious.
This may be due to the type of surgery or dental discomfort being done, but whatever the case, there is a choice for sedation that is suitable to the needs of each person.

Oral sedation – Oral sedation is given orally through a pill. Depending on the dose given, sedation rates may be mild to moderate. It can take up to an hour for oral sedatives to feel the full effects. Patients who receive a low dose frequently feel relaxed and probably tired, but tend to remain awake. A higher dose may have mild sedative effects resulting in some patients falling asleep but being urged to wake up quickly.

Inhaled sedation – A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, is inhaled sedation. For inhaled sedation, through a mask worn during treatment, the gas sedative is breathed in through the nose. Adjusting the amount of nitrous oxide given through the mask can change the sedation level.

IV sedation – IV sedation has a few variations: the first is what is known as twilight, where you are aware of your surroundings, but not very aware of them. Twilight IV sedation makes you feel tired, so after it’s over, you may not recall any of the treatment. You’re not asleep though, and it’s possible if the dentist needs to wake you up.

The other choice is general anaesthesia, which in sleep dentistry is relatively uncommon. Often patients needing major oral surgery, and immune to other forms of sedation, may need general anaesthesia. You are totally unconscious with general anaesthesia. In a hospital or specialist clinic with either or an anaesthesiologist looking after the sedative and monitoring the vital signs, this form of sedation needs to occur.

Contact Dr. Wooten, your oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma, at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma for a painless dental process.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor’s advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.

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When a Wisdom Tooth Is Hard to Remove?

wisdom teeth removal

Why do most people have teeth that are usually removed somewhere in their lives? Wisdom teeth are a group of third molars, which rarely grow properly. Some of the time there is insufficient room for growth, causing the tooth to appear abnormally, to only partially erupt through the gums, to turn lateral and to push against the surrounding teeth. Such excessive growth typically sets the stage for potential infections and requires removal.

But why do you need a special tooth extraction procedure in OKC? That makes it so difficult to extract wisdom teeth. Many factors affect the level of removal difficulty:

  • Tooth angle
  • Gum and jawbone covering the tooth partially
  • Multiple roots in difficult angles
  • Jawbone is hard and difficult to cut

The longer you go, the easier it can be to extract the wisdom teeth and to heal. Incoming roots will expand and surround the lower aveolar nerve, which will make removal risky for nerve damage. If damage occurs to the underlying nerve, sensation in the lips, tongue and cheeks can either temporarily or permanently get harmed. Careful procedures are necessary to avoid nervous or surrounding teeth injury.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Since you don’t need teeth of wisdom, you may not mind if you have your teeth of wisdom. Sadly, the damaged teeth of wisdom do not go unnoticed in most instances.

Swelling and Infection: Swelling, discomfort, and infection with impacted wisdom teeth are often serious, and the condition should not go untreated. Since affected wisdom teeth can damage gums, teeth and bones in the area, many dentists will recommend surgical removal. Impacted wisdom teeth are harder to remove and more likely to cause surgery problems and permanently damage bones and other teeth.

Pain of Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom tooth can get affected by if jaw or other tooth stops its growth. Symptoms of a problematic tooth are wisdom teeth include jaw pain and discomfort, redness and gums swelling around your teeth, bad respiration, and poor taste when bite in your food. Impacted teeth of wisdom can also cause cysts that are pockets of fluid formed around the tooth. Tumors will rarely develop around the tooth. Cysts and tumors can permanently damage both your jaw and other teeth. The wisdom of your teeth is not always an indicator that your wisdom is compromised by pain, but the longer you wait to see the dentist, the more likely the wisdom of your teeth is to be affected.

Removing Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth may be removed in the dentist’s office or in the oral surgeon’s office. Regional and general anesthesia can be used to prevent pain during your treatment.

Removing the Impacted Tooth

Your gums are incised to reach the affected tooth and jawbone After teeth removal, stitches may be needed to close the incision.

The socket where you have your teeth is filled with gauze to prevent bleeding and to facilitate healing.

Your dental or oral surgeon should give you clear guidelines on how to take care of your mouth once your wisdom teeth are removed. Make sure you follow your instructions to ensure a quick recovery.

Whether you choose to treat your wisdom teeth infection by conservative or surgical means, take quick action. The problem will probably escalate if you neglect the signs of wisdom teeth infection. The older you get, the more difficult it can be to remove. So, if you are diagnosed with wisdom teeth, do not delay — seek treatment and you will have great relief as long as your mouth is in good health.

Contact Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma for tooth extraction in OKC.

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

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Dental Abscess and Its Treatment

dental abscess

What is a dental abscess?

We have all had them, but sometimes toothache can be a symptom of a deeper, worse dental infection, called an abscess.

Read more about this today — what it is, what signs are and what steps you can take to prevent the development in your mouth.

When left untreated, a dental abscess can cause severe pain and complications. Excessive bacteria, commonly in tooth decay, contribute to abscesses. Abscesses impact teeth, but the gum is being affected by two forms of abscesses. You can consult with a dental surgeon in Oklahoma City if you face such problems.

Gingivales (early stage) -An abscess which affects the outside of the gums and occurs if food becomes caught in the gums and causes bacteria to accumulate.

Periodontal (late stage) – An abscess that grows further into the gums and extends into the tissues and jaw bones around the gums.

Common Symptoms of Dental Abcess

We can discuss some typical symptoms which characterize the disease now that we know what a dental abscess is.

  • Swell lymph nodes
  • Difficulty to chew and swallow
  • Sensitivity
  •  Bad breath
  •  Bitter/foul taste
  •  Tooth discharges
  •  Blood in gums
  •  Red gums

How Can Dental Abscess Risk Be Prevented Conveniently if Proper Dental and Oral Care Is Practiced?

First, routine checks in our office in Oklahoma City with your family dentists. They also recommend that you wash and float at home two times a day and also switch your toothbrush every three months because the abscess is bound to a tooth decay. In addition, consider periodically adding an extra layer of bacterial defense using a mouthwash with fluoride as an active ingredient. Eventually, reduce sugar consumption and eat more healthy options such as water and green vegetable products.

Schedule an appointment with Dr Wooten associated with Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma to get rid of these problems. A good dental surgeon of OKC can understand your requirement and provide you with proper treatment.

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

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Impacted Teeth Guide For A Patient

What are the impacted teeth? What are the symptoms of an impacted tooth? When an impacted tooth is not treated, it can cause multiple problems including swelling and headache. At this time you need to teeth implantation. See here in this infographic to learn how dental implants in OKC can help you.

impacted teeth guide

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor’s advice, nor does it create any form of the patient-doctor relationship.

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FAQ on Wisdom Tooth Removal

FAQs

When you are on the verge of removing wisdom teeth, you must have a few questions. Here we have complied the most frequently asked questions about wisdom tooth extraction. Read on the article for it when you are heading for wisdom teeth removal in OKC.

Why we have wisdom teeth?

Centuries ago ancestors of human race used wisdom teeth to grind hard food like roots. Their mouth had more space than us and more space for molars. As humans evolved, food habits changed and now we are inclined to soft foods. The third molars are completely unnecessary. Because our jaws are smaller now.

Why it should be removed?

There are multiple reasons for extracting a wisdom tooth as it can cause multiple complications.

Impaction– When there is less space in your mouth, it will impact your wisdom teeth and it will start growing in an angle. It causes pain and discomfort and issues while eating.

Damaging Other Teeth – The impacted tooth will start pushing other teeth against the second molars resulting in tooth decay.

Disease – Space between impacted tooth and molars are a happy place for bacteria to grow that leads to potential inflammation risks like gum disease and cysts.

How wisdom tooth is removed?

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most widely performed surgery in the world. In the United States, 5 million people undergo this surgery every month. Wisdom teeth removal in OKC is safe when done by experienced professionals. It is always suggested to have this procedure done by a specialist who is a trained person in intra-venous sedation. This simple and safe anesthesia process helps a patient to undergo a knife without any discomfort, but optimal comfort. Once the sedative starts showing actions and numbs the nerves, the tooth is extracted safely. Self-melting stitches are applied to avoid bleeding.

What to do soon after surgery?

As the effects of local anesthesia stays for a few hours only, a patient may get a little discomfort once the effects are gone. The doctor will prescribe analgesics with which most patients are able to control the discomfort after the process.

How long does it bleed?

During the period of intervention, most of bleeding is controlled. At the end of the process, cotton gauzes are applied to pressurize the site. For the first few hours, you may get oozing after the surgery the cotton gauze helps to control bleeding.

Contact Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma for wisdom teeth removal in OKC. when you are in pain or chewing becomes difficult due to tooth problem, contact us to get it removed.

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

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