What is Oral Pathology?

oral surgeon

Any number of abnormalities, such as bumps, lumps, or lesions may develop in the soft tissues oral cavity or in the jaw bones and joints. In some cases, those unusual clusters of cells are harmless, but for other patients, they may be a signal of a serious disease, such as an infection or oral cancer.  When a patient or a dentist spots a sign of potential trouble, the patient’s next visit may be with an oral surgeon, who can remove a tissue sample that is then sent to a lab for biopsy. That trip to the oral surgeon is the patient’s initial entry into the dental specialty of oral pathology. Specifically, oral pathology is the discipline that focuses on the diagnosis of oral diseases through various forms of examination. When an oral pathologist identifies the underlying mechanism of the disease, those findings can then point to the most effective treatment…

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Sedation Dentistry: A safe and comfortable way to have your wisdom teeth removed

wisdom teeth extraction

Having your wisdom teeth removed is a more extensive process than an average tooth extraction. Your oral surgeon may have to cut through bone material to reach impacted teeth. Although it’s routinely performed, wisdom teeth extraction is still a significant surgery, and most patients choose some form of sedation to make the procedure more comfortable. In the past, many patients selected general anesthesia for wisdom teeth extraction, but an increasing number are turning to sedation dentistry instead. Sedation dentistry is widely considered to be safer than general anesthesia. The medication, typically from a class of anti-anxiety drugs known as benzodiazepines, helps patients achieve a deep state of relaxation. Patients remain conscious during sedation and they are still able to respond to requests from the oral surgeon. Also, because patients remain awake with sedation, the airway is not compromised as it is with general anesthesia. As a result, sedation dentistry comes…

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When Is Jaw Surgery Recommended?

jaw surgery

Patients may need to undergo jaw surgery for any number of reasons. For example, such procedures may correct congenital problems or repair the joint following an injury or trauma. Jaw surgery can help to alleviate a variety of symptoms, from pain and discomfort to difficulty chewing to sleep apnea. Some people choose jaw surgery for primarily cosmetic factors, too, in order to eliminate an unattractive problem with the bite or to bring the chin into proper proportion with the rest of the face.  If you have signs of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, your general dentist may recommend a consultation with an oral surgeon. Similarly, an orthodontist may recommend surgery for a patient whose case cannot be resolved through braces alone. Prior to undergoing any surgical procedures on your jaw, you and oral surgeon will meet a number of times to plan the surgery. Your surgeon will explore your treatment…

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Single Tooth Replacement: What are my options?

dental implants

A patient with a missing tooth has alternatives when it comes to replacing it. A fixed permanent bridge, dental implants, or even an orthodontic intervention to close the gap are all possibilities. For years, fixed permanent bridges were the standard tooth replacement solution. These devices place a prosthetic tooth in the gap left behind, and that prosthetic tooth is anchored by dental crowns placed on adjacent teeth. This approach does require that healthy tooth enamel be sacrificed to accommodate the crown, and only the visible portion of the tooth is replaced. Dental implants improved upon the fixed permanent bridge. The titanium screws fuse with the bone to replicate a missing tooth’s root. Then the implant is topped with a lifelike artificial crown. There is no impact on adjoining teeth, and dental implants look almost identical to their biological neighbors. After the planning process is complete, an oral surgeon can place…

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Treatment Options for TMJ Disorder

TMJ

When the jaw joint and the corresponding muscles of the head, face, and neck functions abnormally, the resulting conditions are referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Also known as TMJ or TMD, the disorder contributes to a host of uncomfortable signs and symptoms. The jaw joint functions like a hinge as it connects to the skull just below the ears. The muscles that support the joint are designed to perform specific duties that allow us to open and close for eating and chewing.  When the muscles and joints are not operating properly, you may begin to notice a number of symptoms. An evaluation by our oral surgeon who has experience treating TMJ in Dallas can provide the most accurate diagnosis of this disorder. TMJ disorder is most often caused by a habit of clenching and grinding of the teeth, known as bruxism. This repeated and excessive force can lead to…

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What is Sleep Apnea?

oral surgeon

Sleep apnea is a commonly undiagnosed sleep disorder. Other than feeling especially tired upon waking in the morning, most sufferers of this condition are completely unaware. Unfortunately, undiagnosed sleep apnea can lead to a number of rather serious health conditions. When a person experiences an interruption in the breathing pattern during sleep, the occurrence is termed, sleep apnea. The interruptions in breathing can last for a few seconds to a number or minutes, occurring multiple times within a single minute. During your routine medical visits there are no blood tests or other routine tests available to detect sleep apnea. Often, a spouse, roommate, or family member can inform you of your inconsistent breathing patterns or excessive snoring. Loud snorting during sleep may also indicate sleep apnea. You should schedule an appointment to discuss the available treatment options with your oral surgeon serving Irving if you suspect that you are suffering…

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Why denture wearers are turning to dental implants?

dental implants

When you are missing, or are at risk of losing, all of the upper or lower teeth, a set of dentures can be life-saving. Still, there are many drawbacks to traditional dentures. By design, dentures are customized, molded, and shaped to fit over your gums. Your dentist uses impression material to make molds that document the shape and size of your mouth.  Unfortunately, with tooth loss, the shape and size of your mouth will change. Your once snuggly fitting dentures will begin to lose stability. Slipping, sliding, and irritation are inevitable in the life of a denture wearer. Denture pastes and denture relines quickly become an inconvenient reality. Thanks to significant advances in implant dentistry, your oral surgeon can use dental implants in Irving TX 75063 to bring stability to your denture experience. Missing tooth roots are the primary cause for the change in the way that your traditional denture…

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Is it time to have my wisdom teeth removed?

wisdom teeth

For many patients, the third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, are nothing but trouble. They serve no purpose for modern humans, but they can cause lots of problems when they remain in the mouth. As a result, most patients visit an oral surgeon during late adolescence or early adulthood to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Wisdom teeth can cause a number of issues for Dallas TX patients. Because there is no longer room in the jaw to accommodate the wisdom teeth, they often become impacted. When the wisdom teeth fail to erupt or do so only partially, they can develop tumors or cysts. As wisdom teeth attempt to emerge through the gums, they can knock the other teeth out of alignment. Even when the wisdom teeth erupt properly, they are still more prone to infection than the other teeth, as it is extraordinarily difficult to keep the rearmost…

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What is Oral Pathology?

oral surgeon

In addition to maintaining your attractive smile, dental professionals are also concerned about protecting your oral health. Oral pathology is a dental specialty that is essential to the latter effort. Oral pathology, which focuses on the diagnosis of oral diseases and the processes that cause them, can help our DFW oral surgeon to develop an effective treatment plan for your condition.  Just as in any other tissue found in the body, cellular anomalies can be found in the gums, tongue and other soft tissues of the mouth. After an oral surgeon has removed such abnormal cells, oral pathology helps to determine whether the cells are malignant or benign. The process begins when your oral surgeon removes a suspicious piece of tissue for further examination. White or red patches in the mouth, a slow-healing sore, or a lump or thickening all may be cause for concern. Your oral surgeon will remove…

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Am I a Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4

With all of the benefits they offer, dental implants appeal to many patients in need of replacements for an entire arch of missing teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants don’t slip out of place and they have a minimal impact on a patient’s diet. Bone loss can be a major concern for edentulous, or toothless, patients considering dental implants. It can be difficult for your oral surgeon to successfully place dental implants if there is not enough bone material to support the osseointegration process essential to their success. A special technique known as All-on-4 can help Dallas patients qualify as candidates for dental implants even if they have already lost a significant amount of bone. The All-on-4 technique plans dental implant placement based on typical patterns of the jawbone atrophy that takes place when teeth have been lost or extracted. When the roots of those teeth are no longer present to…

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