Conestoga Oral Surgery Blog

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.

When was the last time fear kept you from doing something meaningful or necessary in your life? Has the decision of having a tooth replaced with a dental implant been one of those fear-motivated scenarios?

As a patient considering replacing a missing tooth, you are not the only one to feel apprehensive about the idea of dental implants. However, dental implants have a lot of benefits, and most of the fears related to implants are unfounded. This blogpost focuses on the myths regarding dental implants.

Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining dental health. However, visiting the dentist is a daunting experience for some people. There are times extreme anxiety causes some patients to postpone routine dental appointments, which may result in larger problems in the future. When patients are referred to an oral surgeon for surgery, sedation may be something to consider if the thought of someone probing in your mouth brings intense fear and anxiety. 

Because wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in the jaw, they sometimes become problematic due to insufficient space for growth. These teeth can remain impacted and submerged under the gums or only emerge partially in the mouth. This leads to recurrent infections and damage to the neighboring teeth. Even wisdom teeth that are fully erupted in the mouth are often hard to clean and develop cavities due to limited access over time.