Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma

It’s no laughing matter when it comes to facial injuries and tooth problems. Unfortunately, anyone might be struck by an unexpected blow to the face, resulting in fractured bones or damaged teeth. Even if you don’t think your injury is significant, you should have it checked out by a medical specialist or oral surgeon. Some facial or teeth damage may not be obvious right away, but it can lead to a slew of problems down the road for which you may need a dental surgeon.

Causes of face and teeth injuries

Any injury caused by an external item is referred to as a traumatic injury. It could be anything as easy as slamming into a wall or something more catastrophic like a vehicle accident. Being aware of the probable causes is the first step in recognizing and treating face trauma and dental injury.

Accidents

Accidents are one of the most common causes of facial and dental injuries. A motor vehicle accident in which the face is driven into the dashboard or steering wheel, or a fall event in which the face strikes a counter, floor, or other hard surface can cause damage to the face bones and teeth, even if it does not appear serious at the time.

Injuries in Sports

Contact sports injuries, such as those sustained when playing basketball or volleyball, are a primary source of facial trauma and tooth damage. Something as simple as a flying elbow during a basketball game may appear to be unavoidable. It’s important to remember, though, that not all catastrophic injuries are obvious right first. If you sustain a blow to the face during a game, have a dental and facial injury specialist inspect you to make sure you don’t have any concealed major damage.

Trauma caused by violence

Face trauma and dental injury can be caused by violence involving fists and blunt objects. If you engage in martial arts, boxing, or other activities that involve strikes to the face, have your injuries properly evaluated by a medical practitioner who specializes in facial and dental trauma to rule out any potential fractures or tooth damage.

Facial Trauma and Dental Damage: What to Look for

Any impact to the face or teeth, regardless of the cause, can cause soft tissue, bone and nerve damage.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of facial trauma

Although it may appear reasonable that facial injuries would be easily identifiable by the sight of bruises, discoloration does not always offer an accurate evaluation of all possible damage. In the treatment of superficial bruises surrounding the area, fractures of the nose, jaw, cheekbones may be ignored. A bone fracture, on the other hand, may appear to have little or no bruising, concealing more significant injury beneath. When there is blunt trauma to the face, make sure to have a skilled person to perform a thorough evaluation of the afflicted area. Furthermore, examinations for nerve injury and recovery are essential throughout the healing process.

Dental damage detection

Your teeth may be chipped or shattered if you’ve been hit in the mouth. Even though the teeth appear to be in good shape, they may have been pushed out of alignment, causing problems with eating and swallowing, migraines, and even TMJ. To avoid these problems, have your mouth and teeth inspected by a dental trauma expert after any blow to the mouth, even if it doesn’t appear to be serious.

Treatment and Prevention

Mouth guards, face shields and guards, and helmets can all help to avoid facial trauma and dental damage while participating in sports and martial arts. Prompt medical attention for any damage to the face or teeth caused by trauma will assist to avoid problems and speed up the healing and recovery process.

Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma is an oral surgeon who specializes in dental implants and oral surgery. Contact us today for dental surgeon to recognize and treat face trauma and dental damage.

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

Removing wisdom teeth is a standard form of oral surgery and is done every year by thousands of patients without incident. You can become one of them! Use the following tips to minimize your risk of post-extraction complications and speed up your recovery from a future tooth extraction.

Try Controlling Blood Loss

Some blood loss is expected after having a wisdom tooth removed. Put some gauze on the affected area but make sure not to chew it. You can also employ a moistened tea bag, as it will make the blood clot more likely with its tannic acid.

Minimize Swelling

Swelling in the face is typical during the first few days following the procedure. Ice packs can be used to control and even prevent swelling by applying them to the side of the face for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Right after the operation, icing can start, even before swelling occurs.

Chew on Soft Food

You must drink only liquids and eat only extremely soft foods, such as yoghurt and applesauce, for the first 24 to 48 hours after your surgery. You can move on to other foods, such as oatmeal, eggs, and toast, following that. You should avoid skipping meals and make sure you get enough protein. You will recover faster if you consume enough calories to give you a sense of well-being. The majority of patients are able to return to a normal diet within seven to ten days following their procedure.

Be Sure To Focus On Dental Hygiene

It is essential to be mindful of surgical sites when brushing and flossing. After your surgery, it is advised to rinse your mouth with warm saltwater 5 to 6 times a day to reduce the risk of infections and keep your mouth clean. This saltwater also has a calming effect on swelling.

Avoid Straws and Cigarettes

Smoking is never a good idea for oral health, but it is especially detrimental to oral health following oral surgery. The process of inhaling cigarette smoke can extend the healing time, and the act of smoking could dislodge the blood clots from where your wisdom teeth were removed. After your surgery, you’ll want to avoid drinking with a straw, because it could potentially affect your blood clots.

Be Cognizant Of Your Body

If you’ve had oral surgery to have your wisdom teeth removed, you may feel unusually tired as your body heals. You should not be afraid to rest longer or watch some of your favorite movies during your recovery. And, remember, the physical strain of strenuous exercise may lengthen your recovery time.

Are you planning to have your tooth extraction soon? By following the above tips, you can have a fast and easy recovery. Contact Dr Wooten in Oklahoma Oral & Facial Surgery for the extraction and also follow his given post-surgery recovery tips.

An oral examination and mouth x-rays allow our doctors to determine the position of the wisdom teeth, as well as whether there are any current or potential problems. Recent research has shown that early evaluation and treatment result in better outcomes for patients. Dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons typically evaluate patients for the first time in their mid-teenage years.

Adults have 32 teeth by the time they reach the age of 18, with 16 on top and 16 on bottom. There is a function and name for every single tooth in our mouths. Biting and grasping food is best done with the teeth in front of the mouth (incisor, canine, and bicuspid teeth). The molar teeth are being used for food grinding into such a consistency which is easy to swallow. Finally, wisdom teeth erupt at the end of a person’s life. Wisdom teeth do not have to be removed if they are properly aligned and have healthy gum tissues. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in the majority of instances. If you have a mouth that is designed to hold 28 teeth, it can get a little crowded when these last four wisdom teeth appear.

They must be removed if the mouth prevents them from fully emerging. Sometimes they develop sideways, only temporarily emerge from the gum, or even remain trapped underneath the bone and gum. Many different positions can be taken by impacted teeth in the bone, as they search for an exit route that allows them to emerge.

Poorly placed impacted teeth can cause a variety of issues. A partially erupted tooth allows bacteria to grow and cause an infection. Stiffness, swelling, pain, and illness are the result. A growing wisdom tooth’s force may cause other teeth to shift, disrupting the orthodontic or natural synchronization of teeth in the process. Tumors or cysts that develops surrounding the impacted wisdom teeth are the most dangerous, as they destroy the healthy teeth and jawbone. These problems are usually resolved by going for wisdom teeth removal.

In order to avoid future complications and to reduce the surgical risk associated with the procedure, early removal is highly recommended.

Problems with Wisdom Teeth

They must be removed in most cases because they affect the rest of your teeth. This is due to the fact that they are often unable to grow due to the presence of existing teeth. Instead of growing from one angle in the jaw — even horizontally — they must emerge.

Wisdom teeth problems can also lead to the following problems:

• Infection or abscesses that damage the roots of other teeth and erode bone support.
• Hiding in the gums and eventually have become trapped or impacted within the jaw
• As it is difficult to see and clean, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that causes gum disease and oral infection
• As a result of growing at an angle, adjacent teeth are crowded and damaged

The wisdom teeth removal, even if they have not fully emerged, is recommended by some dentists. Some dentists recommend tooth extractions at a young age, before the teeth and jawbone have fully developed, in order to prevent future problems. Adults have a much lower chance of having an impacted or infected wisdom tooth if they are younger.

It is the high time for you to contact an oral surgeon if your case is too severe. Book your schedule with Dr Wooten from Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma.

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

‘Should I go for wisdom teeth removal? Probability is, if you’re asking this inquiry, your wisdom teeth are bothering you. Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are located in the back of the mouth. Last to erupt, they are the furthest back in the mouth. It is possible for wisdom teeth to erupt without causing any pain, discomfort, or cause for concern in some cases. For particular patients, wisdom teeth are removed due to discomfort. How did you find out about it? Here are some of the common symptoms to notice:

• Jaw bone pain
• Ear, jaw, and head pain
• It’s important to note that swelling and inflammation are signs of infection
• It is possible that the third molar is sensitive due to cavities
• If you have a bad breath, it could be an illness
• The failure to adequately clean and floss might produce bad breath
• Inflammation of the sinuses caused by the third molars pressing against them
• Teeth shifting
• A third molar cyst

Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, might cause complications if they don’t have enough area to grow properly. Many different angles in the jaw are possible for wisdom teeth to erupt. Problems with wisdom teeth can include:

• Stay hidden in the gums. Wisdom teeth get impacted if they are unable to erupt properly. This can lead to an infection or a cyst, which can damage other dental roots or bone support, if left unchecked.
• Penetrate the gums somewhat. It’s not easy to detect or clean this area, so wisdom teeth that partially emerge form a tunnel which bacteria, which cause gum disease and oral infections, can thrive in.
• Overcrowding of adjacent teeth. Insufficient space for wisdom teeth to fully emerge might cause crowding or damage to adjacent teeth.

It is recommended by some dentists to go for wisdom teeth removal if they haven’t fully formed yet. Dentists feel that it’s best to remove wisdom teeth at a younger age, when the roots and bone haven’t fully grown, and when the recovery time is quicker. So, some young adults get their wisdom teeth removed before they become problematic.

You should visit your dentist for an examination and x-ray if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. An oral surgeon specializes in the surgical extraction of wisdom teeth and the administration of IV anesthetic if the wisdom teeth look to be problematic.

Ask Dr Wooten

Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma offers you a flawless treatment for wisdom teeth. There is no denial of the fact that you need an experienced dentist to perform the surgery. We have Dr Wooten with us. Reserve your seat before it is too late!

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

Generally, dentists perform the surgical process in your jaw and mouth. There are various types of oral surgery to reduce the problem such as root canal, tooth removal, maxillofacial surgery and gum graft. Among the dentists, mainly periodontists, prosthodontists and endodontists do the surgery according to your problem.

When a general dentist cannot solve the dental problem anymore by medications, then you need to do oral surgery. For instance, if you are suffering from gum disease and the dentist recommends you to do a gum graft, then you need to go to a periodontist for the surgery.

How Can You Prepare for Oral Surgery?

The dentist may provide you with a few pre-surgery instructions. You should follow them accordingly. You may have to stop eating or drinking 8-10 hours before the surgery. Make sure that when you return home, it should be clean so that you can rest there comfortably. You should arrange for transportation before the surgery. The expert may give you anesthesia during the surgery. So, you may not be able to drive back home. If they give you IV anesthesia, in that case, someone should be there with you.

The Risk Factor 

The post-surgery effect may vary from person to person. You may notice bleeding from the particular area after the tooth extraction process. Few patients also experience prolonged bleeding because our mouth can produce saliva constantly. But the dentist can prevent the condition by applying pressure and putting gauze to the area. You can also notice numbness and swelling after the oral surgery. It can be reduced over time. Remember feeling numbness is a positive sign because it is proof that the anesthetic has worked.

What Should You Eat After Surgery?

You should eat soft food at room temperature right after the surgery. Do not drink anything through a straw and you should avoid crunchy and hard food. The following food you can eat after the tooth extraction including,

• Scrambled eggs
• Soups, broths
• fruit or vegetable purees
• Yogurt
• Ice cream, pudding.

Few Important Facts

Remember that you cannot smoke or drink alcohol after the surgery because it can slow the recovery process. If you notice pain in that area, then apply an ice pack to reduce the pain. You can rinse your mouth with salt water frequently to kill the germs instead of brushing.

Visit Your Dentist

If you notice dental problems for a few days and cannot reduce pain by applying home remedies, then it’s time to visit Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma. Dr. Wooten can evaluate your dental condition and recommend a suitable solution for you in OKC.

You can face sudden injuries like broken tooth, tearing of tissues and swelling in your teeth suddenly. Such emergencies need a special dentist for treatment. However, there are some of the ways that you can implement to ensure that your pain is bearable to you unless you get an emergency dentist. Try to compress your affected area with hot and cold compress, take pain-killing medicines, conserve your broken tooth etc. Most importantly, contact a dentist without delay.

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

In dental implant surgery, the doctors replace your tooth root with metal posts and replace the old teeth with artificial ones. After the surgery, you cannot differentiate the artificial teeth and the original teeth. Whether you need the surgery or not it is completely based on two factors. One is the type of implant and the other one is the condition of the jawbone. If you live in OKC and have these types of situations, then you should consult with the oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma for getting the surgery.

1. Loss of teeth
2. You cannot wear dentures.
3. You do not smoke

The Advantages of Using Local Anesthesia

In the process, the surgeon cut and drilled to place the titanium posts into the jawbone. Before starting the process, the specialist applies anesthesia in order to reduce the anxiety and calm the patient. Keep in mind that in most cases, the patients don’t need general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is as effective as the general one and the specialist uses a syringe to input the anesthesia. You cannot feel pain during dental implants because local anesthesia reduces the pain. The specialist can place a minimum of eight dental implants for implant-supported dentures.

The oral surgery specialists of Oklahoma can install one single implant in one sitting. Nowadays, the dental implants process is very fast because you can install several dental implants and leave the dentist’s chamber on the same day. It is completely normal that you can feel mild to moderate pain after the effect of anesthesia is gone and it can last for a few days only. After completing the process the specialist can recommend you to get over-the-counter medication.

How Can You Prepare for This?

• You have to take 3D images and dental X-rays of your teeth so that the dentist can understand the current situation in detail.
• You have to tell your dentist about the medications, especially supplements and over-the-counter drugs. If you suffer from heart disease, then, in that case, the expert may suggest antibiotics to prevent infections.

When it comes to anesthesia, you should always ask your doctor what type of anesthesia is best for you. The specialist can recommend you to drink or eat which is completely based on your anesthesia. If the doctor applies general anesthesia, then you have to bring someone so that he or she can take you home after the dental implants surgery.

Ask Your Dentist!

If you are struggling because of your dental problem for a longer period of time, then you should contact Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma. Dr. Wooten can provide several services including Dental bar attachment denture, bone grafting treatment, wisdom teeth treatment, facial trauma, oral pathology, platelet-rich plasma treatment and impacted canines in OKC.

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

Dental sedation is a medical procedure in the course of dentistry. It allows the patients to reduce their anxiety over surgery and different sorts of dental procedures. It’s generally safe and effective. If you are in OKC, contact an oral surgeon to learn more about dental sedation. If you are in need of dental surgery, a dental surgeon in Oklahoma City can help you with dental sedation.

Types of Dental Sedation

There are three main types of dental sedation in the form of Nitrous Oxide, Oral Sedation and IV Sedation.

Different situations demand different sedation types

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide is one of the most popular forms of dental sedation. It takes about one minute to take the effect and can last upto the end of the gas-flow. The recovery period for Nitrous Oxide is very less. Once the gas-flow is stopped, patients need only a few minutes to recover. It has a faster recovery process compared to other forms of sedation. The patient will return to her normal state very quickly.

Oral Sedation

It uses medicine to sedate the patient. The patient is required to take the pill one night before the procedure starts. Your dentist may recommend the pill according to his own time. The effect of the pill will last two to eight hours. Once it starts to begin the effect, the patient may feel drowsy. The purpose of oral sedation is to reduce the pain and anxiety of the patient. The recovery period for oral sedation depends on the type of drug. You can expect it to be less than ten hours. An OKC oral surgeon can help you in this regard.

IV Sedation

IV Sedation is a special form of sedation that requires a special situation to apply. In the case of dental Implants and wisdom teeth extraction, IV Sedation comes into effect. A dental surgeon in Oklahoma City will advise you about the sedation option.

You need to follow certain steps before you make an appointment with a dental surgeon. Sedation dentistry is considered to be a great approach in the course of dental surgery. It allows patients to deal with anxiety, fears and pain.

Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma offers first class dental surgery. Dr. Wooten and his team are always prepared to provide you with the best service. When it comes to oral and facial surgery, no one can beat us. Contact us for more information.

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

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to emerge and grow towards the rear of your gums. The majority of people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth.

The growing wisdom can be at strange angles or incomplete because to a shortage of space at the rear of the mouth. It’s also known as impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth might cause a variety of issues. Because they are difficult to clean, they may become infected and cause harm to the teeth next to them, as well as crowding and decay.

To overcome these issues, most patients get wisdom tooth extraction. Your dentist, on the other hand, will always advise you not to have your wisdom teeth pulled unless they are giving you major issues. And once it’s gone, you’ll need to make sure you’re getting the right nourishment. A well-balanced diet can help to reduce the risk of problems. It decreases swelling and aids in the healing of wounds.

Following the removal of your wisdom teeth, you should eat the following foods:

These foods should be soft and easy to chew. Vitamins, minerals, and protein should all be abundant. You can consume the following foods:

• Soups are one of the greatest things to eat after surgery since they are easy to eat, nutritious, and keep you hydrated. Make sure it’s well blended and served lukewarm or cold. Some soups, such as tomato or pumpkin, are delicious.
• Greek yogurt is high in proteins and minerals that aid in the healing process after dental surgery. The cool, creamy feel is quite relaxing.
• Carbohydrate-rich potatoes give you the energy you need to recuperate from surgery.
• Eggs supply you with all of the above in a convenient form. Omega-3-enriched eggs, in particular, are extremely healthy.
• Bananas are nutrient-dense and simple to consume. You can eat mashed banana, which will also make you feel better.
• Avocado is a unique fruit since it has low carbs and high healthy fats, making it a great way to relieve mouth pain.
• Smoothies are healthful and easy to drink.
• Hummus is high in minerals, vitamins, protein, and healthy fats, all of which are beneficial to recovery.
• Cheese is high in protein and vitamins and is simple to incorporate into your diet.

Foods to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

These are the foods you should avoid because they can irritate your wounds and cause you to take longer to heal:

• Foods that are crunchy and crumbly
• Spicy dishes
• Grains and seeds-based foods
• Alcoholic beverages
• Chewy foods

Call Dr. Wooten fromOral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma to book a consultation if you have had your wisdom teeth removed and would like advice on what to eat following your wisdom tooth extraction. Our dedicated team is standing by to assist you!

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

In OKC, why would a dentist or orthodontist recommend that you have a tooth extracted? Some teeth are more valuable than others, but there isn’t always enough room in your mouth to accommodate them. If your teeth are larger than average, or if your dental arches are small, you may have alignment issues that can negatively impact your smile’s health and function. Before beginning your orthodontic treatment, you may need to see an oral surgeon to ensure your long-term oral health and to align your teeth.

In orthodontics, why are teeth extracted?

In addition to creating a beautiful smile, teeth alignment is important for a number of other reasons. Your oral health and function are also affected by their position. Incorrectly positioned teeth can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain, which are particularly common in cases of overcrowding or rotation.

Insufficient room in the dental arches for the size of the teeth is a common cause of teeth that overlap or are grouped together. It is possible to improve your bite and alignment by tooth extraction. The extraction of permanent teeth is required in about 20 to 25 percent of patients before they begin orthodontic treatment.

Which teeth are removed during the procedure?

In general, however, the first bicuspids are removed. They are located directly behind the cuspids or eyeteeth and the molars on either side of the mouth. It is possible to remove the premolars in some cases without causing any aesthetic or functional complications. Some plans may recommend removing a combination of teeth to maximize results.

Do you need to see a dentist?

In order to move your teeth with success, your bone must be preserved, which is why it’s often best to see an oral surgeon for the procedure. When a tooth is extracted, the socket is left empty, like an ice cream cone that hasn’t been filled. Because of this, it is susceptible to collapse without the proper precautions.

Bone grafts are used in modern surgical techniques to maintain the bone mass and volume of extraction sockets. In the empty socket, a small amount of donor material is placed for the body to grow new bone over. Bone grafting is not always necessary after a tooth extraction, but it is sometimes necessary.

During the planning of your tooth movements, your oral surgeon will carefully remove the selected teeth and lay a works seamlessly for your straight smile.

A Beautiful Smile is an Investment

Tooth extractions shouldn’t prevent you from getting a straight smile. A customized plan will be created by your orthodontist and oral surgeon for you to invest in your smile. Dr Wooten is here to help you get back your old and shining smile. Visit Oral and Facial Surgery in Oklahoma to book your schedule.

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