Conestoga Oral Surgery Blog

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.

Many patients, including children, benefit from some sort of sedation for anxiolysis (anxiety control) when undergoing a complex oral surgery procedure. This can involve a wide range of options anywhere from receiving a pre-medication tablet to calm the nerves to full general anesthesia using intubation (breathing tube placement). Children, in particular, can benefit from sedation and in many cases, the surgery can be completed in a much safer and more stress-free environment for both the patient and their doctor.

Dental implants are an excellent tooth restoration alternative. They function like natural teeth and allow patients to have confidence in their smile as well as restore chewing ability. Implants are comprised of a titanium alloy and are well accepted by the body. They replace missing teeth, but must be cared for like natural teeth as well. Neglect can result in bone loss and implant failure. There are several key factors that will increase the probability of success of your dental implants that should be considered both prior to and after implant placement.

Many people delay oral surgery recommended by their general dentist due to fear of the unknown. In some cases, patients have painful childhood memories that have haunted them for their entire life. Today, oral surgery procedures can be delivered in a safe and fearless environment thanks to several different anesthetic/sedative techniques.

There are many conditions that lead a patient to pursue elective jaw surgery including difficulty chewing/biting food, malocclusion (open bite or deep bite), recessed chin, protruding jaw, lip strain, and obstructive sleep apnea. While much of the success with surgery hinges on skilled orthodontists and oral surgeons, there are components in the post operative phase that depend primarily on the patient. This blog focuses on helpful tips after this life-changing surgery.