Conestoga Oral Surgery Blog

If you have ever had to get sutures (stitches) removed, you might remember a somewhat annoying and uncomfortable experience. Not only did you have to make an extra trip to see your care provider, but you also had to wait patiently while they removed the stitches. Will you have to go through the same thing after getting your wisdom teeth removed? No, probably not! That is because, in most cases, dentists and oral surgeons use dissolvable sutures after the procedure. Continue reading to learn more about this unique aspect of your treatment.

Approximately 54,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year in the United States. Unfortunately, most of these diagnoses are made when the disease has already progressed to more advanced stages, making it more difficult to treat. In recognition of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the risk factors and warning signs of oral cancer. Understanding this information can increase your chances of having the disease identified early, which can greatly improve your prognosis and treatment outcomes!

If you’ve ignored your wisdom teeth, talk to your dentist. Leaving your wisdom teeth in can put you at risk for quite a few dental problems. Wisdom teeth usually grown in between the ages of 17 and 25. In many cases, wisdom teeth don’t have enough space to grow properly.

Many Americans are missing one or more teeth. This can drastically affect a patient’s self-esteem and confidence, but it is important to remember that there are replacement options available.  Read on to learn more about tooth loss and the complications that result when spaces are left vacant in the mouth.

Traumatic facial injuries happen when least expected and often require urgent management with an expert. These types of injuries can affect both the soft (skin and gum tissue) and hard (bone and cartilage) tissues of the face, mouth, and jaws.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique and very important joint that assists with many daily activities such as chewing and speaking. However, when this intricate joint does not function properly, it can lead to various unpleasant symptoms and difficulty with simple tasks such as opening and closing of the mouth. An overview of TMJ disorders will show how the joint itself is affected and how these debilitating disorders are treated with both conservative and surgical treatments. 

When you think of jaw surgery, you may naturally think of oral surgeons repairing the jaw after a traumatic incident such as a car accident or physical altercation. There are times, however, patients electively undergo surgery to correct a deficiency that results in poor chewing, difficulty with speech, or a cosmetic issue. This surgery is known as orthognathic surgery and for a specific patient population where braces with an orthodontist are not enough, this surgery can be life-changing. 

Dental implants are a reliable tooth replacement option for patients interested in replacing missing teeth. Oftentimes, patients are frustrated with missing teeth and the stigmas that come along with this. The benefits listed below should inspire you to consider dental implants in the future.

The dental nightguard – this little-known, cost-effective appliance can help with a range of symptoms that you may be experiencing. Many questions come to mind when considering making an investment. What is a dental night guard?  What does it treat?  Should I consider wearing a dental nightguard? Is my mouth pain or jaw pain something that would be helped by a nightguard? What should you know prior to having one made?  Explore answers to a few of your most important questions. 

Being told by your dentist that a tooth needs to be extracted brings forth a wide variety of emotions for a patient. There are many reasons that a tooth can be deemed non-restorable including heavy/deep decay, a vertical fracture, a traumatic event, and bone loss from periodontal disease. Regardless of the cause, having a missing tooth is often more than just an aesthetic issue.  Read more below to discover the many reasons a missing tooth should not be ignored.