ORAL SURGERY & SLEEP DENTISTRY
Dental oral surgeries are done in an office setting with local anesthesia (or sedation if necessary), with only minimal recovery time needed. Oral surgeries can range from a variety of procedures such as tooth extractions to corrective jaw surgery.
ANESTHESIA
Center City Emergency Dentist provides sedation options for patients undergoing major dental procedures such as oral surgery. Apart from local anesthesia that's readily available for all of our patients, we offer conscious sedation options.
NITROUS OXIDE - Also known as "laughing gas" is inhaled to make the patient feel at ease, happy, and relaxed. Safe and effective, you'll stay awake during the procedure. However you won't feel any pain or anxiety. Body functions stay normal and the effects wear off quickly. This gas is inhaled through a small mask that fits comfortably over your nose. It is mixed with oxygen so keep levels safe for inhalation. You will then feel some tingling on your hands and feet and start to experience a floating sensation. When your dentist completes the procedure, the flow of nitrous oxide decreases and oxygen levels increase.
ORAL SEDATION - A type of sedation taken orally in pill form.
SLEEP DENTISTRY / IV SEDATION - Coming Soon!
ARE YOU TAKING ANY BLOOD THINNERS?
Anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications (also known as blood thinners) are commonly used to prevent stroke and heart attack and manage various medical conditions. Blood thinners keep the blood from clumping up and clotting to reduce chances of a stroke or heart attack. However, blood thinners can also come with side effects such as increased bleeding.
Common types of blood thinners :
BLOOD THINNERS AND DENTAL WORK
At Center City Emergency Dentist, we follow accepted guidelines when it comes to doing dental work while a patient is on anticoagulant medications. Put off any non-essential dental treatments if you're temporarily taking blood thinners. Although it is possible to be on blood thinners while getting work done, we always assess and balance the risk of increased bleeding that could potentially cause more problems.
It is typically safe to continue taking blood thinners during common dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and restorations as it is possible to control bleeding easily (such as biting down on gauze). On the other hand, more complex dental procedures such as tooth extractions and dental implants require more care and potential risks and benefits of stopping are carefully weighed.
Therefore, it is important that you let us know about any medications you are currently taking. This includes any herbs and vitamins. In doing so, our skilled dental staff at CCED can make accurate and effective decisions about your dental treatment.
WHAT ORAL SURGERY CAN DO FOR YOU
WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTIONS
Wisdom teeth extractions are very common in dentistry. Over 5 million patients every year gets their wisdom teeth extracted. Reasons for wisdom teeth extractions at Center City Emergency Dentist is as follows (but not limited to) :
THE PROCESS
1. X-rays are taken to assess the position and condition of the tooth, roots, and bone. By doing so, your dentist can avoid any possible complications that may arise.
2. Options for anesthesia is discussed if necessary.
3. Tooth is carefully removed so there's no damage to the bone surrounding the tooth.
4. Bone grafting may take place after extraction to preserve the bone.
5. After the procedure, the extraction site will be covered with sterile gauze where you will need to add pressure on it to control bleeding. Your dentist may place stitches to stop further bleeding.
6. Make sure you read over and follow any post-operative care instructions so the extraction site heals perfectly. You can get a copy of post-operative extractions here.
Dental implants provide a great alternative to replacing missing teeth. A screw is placed under the gum and fused with your jawbone. A crown is placed on the implant which now looks like a natural tooth.
SINUS SURGERY
Thinking about getting dental implants? Before you do, your dentist will make sure there is enough bone in your jaw to screw in the implant. If there is not enough bone, the implant can go into the space of your sinus cavity. To solve this problem, your oral surgeon can use a procedure called a "sinus membrane lift" where a bone graft is placed to provide more bone for the implant to screw into.
This bone graft material is taken from various resources. One of them being from another part of your body such as another part of your jaw or your hip. It can also be processed in a library, or donated from another human or animal (usually a cow). Synthetic bone graft material can also be used. No matter where the bone graft is from, all materials must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and prepared alongside guidelines.
PROCEDURE
1. At your first appointment prior to the surgery, your dentist will assess the shape, location, and state of your sinus cavity through x-ray imaging. Anesthesia options will also be discussed.
2. During the surgery, the procedure site will be completely numbed and your dentist will make an incision to expose the bone where your missing tooth was.
3. An opening will be made to reveal the membrane lining the sinus. While raised, the space beneath it will be filled with the bone graft material. Sometimes, the implant can be placed on the bone graft prior to closing the gum. If not, the surgical site is given 6-7 months to heal before the implant is placed.
4. Gums will be stitched back up.
5. Your dentist will provide you with a copy of the post-operative care instructions to ensure proper healing. You can also get a copy of these instructions online on our website by clicking here.
Oral Diagnosis & Biopsies observe any oral lesions in your mouth that may have cancer. This cancer can be treated if found early. Your dentist will take a small tissue sample of the lesion which will then be taken to a lab for analysis.
ORAL DISEASES
During your examination, our providers at Center City Emergency Dentist look for any signs of oral cancer and/or any other potential oral diseases. The following are some of the oral diseases our providers look for :
FIBROMA : A thick lump that can be found on the lining of the mouth.
LEUKOPLAKIA : White patches formed inside the mouth. Usually benign, it can be precancerous and often biopsied.
LICHEN PLANUS : An inflammatory disease.
MUCOUS MEMBRANE PEMPHIGOID : An autoimmune disease. Not life threatening but may still form lesions.
PREGNANCY TUMORS : Common with pregnant women due to hormonal changes. Formation of benign red swellings on gum tissue can be found.
Other diseases such as diabetes, Crohn's, and heart disease that can be observed orally is also observed.
DO I NEED A BIOPSY?
We recommended our patients to get a biopsy if we feel there's a possibility of a cancerous or pre-cancerous growth forming in the mouth. If the procedure is simple enough, your dentist can perform the biopsy in the office and requiring only local anesthesia. The area will then be closed with sutures (stitches). Bleeding is expected and your dentist will provide you with post-operative care instructions as needed to manage the biopsy site.
Want straighter teeth for that picture perfect smile? Our orthodontist can easily remedy that. However, if you are experiencing skeletal and dental irregularities, then corrective jaw surgery (also known as orthognathic surgery) may be what you need. Corrective jaw surgery may sound like a major procedure, however it can be simply done in-office by and oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
BENEFITS OF ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY
Corrective jaw surgery can be beneficial both for your health and aesthetics. Qualifications can be determined through an assessment by a dentist to see if your issue requires more than just orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, it's not enough to just align the teeth, but the jaws need to be straightened up as well. Read further to learn about what conditions orthognathic surgery can treat :
THE PROCEDURE
1. It is highly recommended that you have a consultation and plan laid out with the dental team (which includes the general dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon) regarding your interest in corrective jaw surgery.
2. Advanced technology will then be used to take diagnostic images and 3-D models of your face and jaw to create a plan for the entire process.
3. The surgery will then take place at a hospital or in-office depending on the severity. Anesthesia will be placed to ensure your full comfort.
4. Follow-up appointments should be scheduled in a timely manner with your dentist so they may assess your condition and healing process.
It's important to take note that snoring DOES NOT mean you have sleep apnea. Schedule a consultation with your oral surgeon to determine whether you have sleep apnea. Although snoring doesn't necessarily always associate itself with sleep apnea, snorting can still cause disturbances in your sleep.
SNORING
There are a number of non-medical treatment options that can be taken to help with snoring issues :
SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea is when a person randomly stops and starts breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is harsh and potentially life-threatening compared to snoring. If undiagnosed, OSA can put you at risk for heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, , high blood pressure, heart disease, and decreased libido.
Are you experiencing pain near your ear, jaw, or muscles on the sides of your face? Do you hear clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw? Do you have restricted jaw movement? If you suffer from one or more of those, you may suffer from Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). Our oral suregon can offer treatment plans to cease the pain and disturbance caused by TMD / TMJ.
CAUSES OF TMD
TMD is subjected to orthopedic issues such as inflammation, soreness, strained tendons and ligaments, and disk problems. Your genes can also play a role in its presence. Women appear more prone to TMD. Age and psychological stress can also be a factor.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TMD
1. Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when mouth is opened or closed. This is due to a shift of the disk inside the joint.
2. Muscle pain felt in cheeks and temples where pairs of muscles that help with jaw-closing is located. If you feel soreness and stiffness when you wake up, it could be from clenching or teeth grinding at night. In this case, you can ask your dental provider for a custom night-guard that should be helpful in protecting your teeth from this habit.
3. Joint pain, or arthritis, in which medication can help with this pain coming from one or both jaw joints.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
1. Orthodontics
2. Bridgework restorations
3. Cortisone injections or lavage (flushing) of joint
QUICK PAIN RELIEF TIPS
1. A softer diet can reduce stress off your joints and muscles
2. Ice and/or moist heat can help with inflammation and soreness
3. Stretching exercises can help with muscle spasms
4. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
5. Muscle relaxants
Cleft Lip and Palate is a very common birth defects to affect babies. These problems are due to the incomplete formation of the lips and palate that is developed during early pregnancy. Severity varies but can be fixed with proper treatment. A cleft lip and palate can make feeding and speech difficult and the irregularity is noticeable in appearance.
TREATMENT
1. As early as the age of 2-9 months, the immediate goal is to "close" the gap in the lip/palate as soon as possible. Later on, treatment may be needed on the function of lips, teeth, jaws, and hearing problems.
2. Sedation or general anesthesia is used to avoid experiencing any pain during the procedure.
3. An incision is made and then sutured together to close the gap.
4. The roof of the mouth (soft tissue, muscle, and bone) is rebuilt.
5. A follow-up appointment is typically what follows after this procedure to ensure that the child is in good condition and avoid any defects during the healing progress.
6. Orthodontic care may be necessary to ensure teeth are aligned straight and/or fix any jaw problems that may arise.
Facial trauma ranges in severity and can be cause by a variety of factors such as car accidents, work related injuries, sports, violent acts, and more. If you experience any major facial injury, seek attention immediately. Facial injuries can affect basic life functions and appearance. Call Center City Emergency Dentist to get you out of pain fast.
TREATMENT
1. Minor facial traumas such as a loose or knocked out tooth are very common. Treatment for minor facial traumas affecting your teeth can include dental implants, bridges, and restorative dentistry.
2. Major facial trauma that consists of facial bone fracture is also common. Fractures in the cheekbones, jawbones, or eye sockets commonly occur. To treat such injuries, bones are placed back in their proper position and immobilized. A technique used to do so with facial injuries is through wiring upper and law jaws together and/or plats and screws may be used to permanently reattach bones.
3. Severe facial trauma can occur and immediate priorities are restoring breathing, controlling bleeding and making sure there aren't severe neurological impacts. Re-constructive surgery then takes place.
HOW TO PREVENT FACIAL TRAUMA
PREVENTION is key to prevent facial trauma. Make sure you're taking advantage of seat belts, helmets, and protective gear when playing sports and doing extreme activities. Stay away from dangerous situations such as driving while intoxicated, impaired, tired, or distracted. Use a mouth guard when playing sports.
When you think of headaches and migraines, people normally don't think about the dentist. However, pain felt on the sides of your head (temples) is actually caused by clenching and/or grinding teeth unconsciously. This usually happens during sleep and it puts a lot of pressure on the muscles that work the joints in your jaw.
WAYS TO TREAT HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE
Although headaches and migraines aren't always caused by TMJ/TMD problems, it is still a possibility and worth looking into.
1. Your dentist will give you an oral exam to find any evidence of bruxism (clenching or grinding) or TMD.
2. Eating soft foods can reduce stress on joints and muscles.
3. Use ice/moist heat to relieve inflammation and soreness.
4. Gentle stretching exercises can reduce stress and provide relief.
5. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications - ibuprofen
6. Muscle relaxants
7. Get fit for a custom-made night guard to sleep with to eliminate clenching and grinding.