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Dental Implants

Friday, 10 June 2022 19:58
Dental Implant Procedure

Dental Implant Procedure

Do dental implants hurt?

Dental implants can be an excellent alternative to dentures, bridges, or root canals. Seeing as dental implants are placed surgically, sometimes our Ocoee Oral Surgery patients wonder, “Will the dental implant be painful?” To answer this question it helps to understand the steps of the procedure.

We will use IV sedation for single and full-mouth dental implants.

First off, we are happy to share that, out of all the surgical procedures at Ocoee Oral Surgery, implants cause the least amount of discomfort. Regardless of whether you are receiving single or full-mouth dental implants, you will receive IV (“twilight”) sedation. Because of this, the gum incision and the drilling of the implant into the jawbone that can make some patients nervous aren’t felt. Jawbones have no nerves that would send pain signals, so the only feelings patient experience is mild tingling and a bit of pressure. We find that IV sedation is very helpful for numbing tension, but also if you are anxious about dental surgery.

After the dental implant procedure, discomfort is manageable.

After you leave our office, you will experience some tenderness those first couple of days. Any pain, however, can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. By comparison, post-operative pain with the dental implant procedure is much less intense than, say, a tooth extraction. The implant will heal for four to five months before its final restoration, but within 48 hours you’ll be able to resume normal activity, and within 72 hours you’ll be able to resume your normal diet. Of course, if you experience significant pain following a dental implant procedure please give us a call so we can schedule a follow-up. There should be no discomfort after a week.

Ocoee Oral Surgery is where Tennessee gets its dental implants!

At Ocoee Oral Surgery our dental implants are a team effort between an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (us) and a Restorative Dentist (your dentist). While we perform the actual dental implant surgery here in Cleveland, and initial tooth extractions or bone grafting when necessary, your dentist will fit and make the permanent prosthesis. Multiple options are available for temporary teeth to fill vacant spaces. To get started you can read more about the process, call us at 423.479.8544 or fill in our contact form here.

Extracting Teeth – Bad Teeth Out, Summer Smiles In

Thursday, 12 May 2022 20:46

The temperatures are finally staying warm here in Cleveland! At Ocoee Oral Surgery we want you looking and feeling your best when you’re out having fun in the sun. Sometimes getting a tooth pulled is the only option available to maintain the mouth’s overall health. If you are feeling any of the following pain points, let us help you get summer-ready with a tooth extraction.

Extracting Broken Teeth

When one of your teeth breaks, especially near the gum line, it may need to be extracted. A dental professional could cap the broken tooth with a crown if addressed quickly enough, but in many instances extraction is necessary. When a broken tooth needs to be pulled, Ocoee is here to help.

Extracting Teeth with Tooth Decay

One of the many purposes of those annual dental exams is to detect early signs of tooth decay. When bacteria enter the flesh of a tooth, that tooth sometimes must be removed to stop the spread. When this occurs, the tooth must be extracted to make sure that no other teeth are affected by the decay and that the gums and jaw do not become compromised.

Extracting Teeth Due to Gum Disease

Gum disease, if left untreated, can destroy ligaments, tissue, and bone that support your healthy teeth. When these structures weaken they loosen their hold on your teeth. That can lead to the extraction of one or multiple teeth before they eventually fall out on their own (a situation that you want to avoid if possible).

Extracting Impacted or Overcrowded Teeth

When the teeth are severely overcrowded, one or more may be removed to create more space and promote the proper alignment of the remaining teeth. Similarly, an impacted tooth that grows only partially beyond the gum line or is tilted at an abnormal angle may need to be pulled. Many people have their wisdom teeth removed for this very reason, to allow more room for the remainder of the patient’s teeth.

Trust Ocoee Oral with Your Tooth Removal

When teeth are extremely decayed, damaged from trauma, or causing secondary dental problems due to location – a tooth extraction may be the best choice. If you need an extraction, or you are worried that one of your teeth may be on the verge of extraction, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Please give us a call at 423.479.8544 or schedule an appointment via our contact page to get your smile summer-ready!

Wisdom Teeth Removal After College

Wednesday, 20 April 2022 19:14

Many individuals have their wisdom teeth removed as teens or young adults, it’s true. It’s recommended to have wisdom teeth removed before the age of 18. Having wisdom teeth removed after you’re 18 years old greatly increases the risk of permanent complications, such as numbness of the lip and chin. If you’re past that age where many have their wisdom teeth removed, you might be asking, “Is there any point now?” Yes, even if you don’t consider yourself a “young” adult anymore, there are still benefits to wisdom tooth removal after college.

Wisdom Teeth Removal for Pain Relief

If your wisdom teeth are causing you any pain, it might be time to consider removing them. Wisdom teeth are often susceptible to cavities, and because they are difficult to clean they can cause gum disease on the surrounding gum tissue. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they can result in pain and swelling that is mitigated with extraction.

Wisdom Teeth Removal to Alleviate Crowding

Wisdom teeth can cause crowding and affect tooth alignment, dismantling the hard work of any braces, bridges, crowns or other prior dental work. Not only can this result in shifted teeth, but also can create more pockets for food and bacteria. This results in decay, cavities, and more dental work. Wisdom teeth removal can help prevent this crowding and other issues that often follow.

Wisdom Teeth Removal to Prevent Cheek-Biting

Patients who have small mouths or lack adequate room to accommodate more molars can have biting issues when these extra teeth arrive. Sometimes when wisdom teeth begin to come in, their positioning can cause pain and difficulty chewing in dental patients. They can cause damage to soft tissues in the mouth, which results in pain and hindered jaw function. When wisdom teeth cause pain and difficulty chewing, extraction by oral surgery is necessary.

Oral surgeons agree that it’s best to have wisdom teeth removed before the age of 18. When you’re younger, you tend to heal faster and have fewer complications with surgeries. Also, when you’re young, the roots and bones of your teeth are softer and not fully formed. This makes extractions easier. But even though it is preferred to have wisdom teeth removed before the age of 18, the process can still be beneficial no matter your age. Our staff at Ocoee Oral Surgery is always here to answer any questions you might have pertaining to wisdom teeth removal or any other oral surgery. We are here to help all ages!

Love Your Teeth on Valentine’s Day

Tuesday, 08 February 2022 23:51
Two teeth with a heart between them.

Dental surgeons love candy, too! We wouldn’t be doing our due diligence though if we let you enjoy all that Valentine’s Day sugar without a warning. Don’t worry, we aren’t forbidding candy by any means. This post is about how to prevent dental damage while enjoying that Valentine’s Day candy!

What does candy do to teeth?

After eating candy, or any food, the sugar will sit on your teeth and gums. Saliva washes some away but has a hard time with sticky, chewy sugar. Sugar that stays behind on teeth or gums becomes food for bacteria in your mouth that can lead to dental trouble. So, how do you choose the best Valentine’s Day candy for your teeth?

Two teeth with a heart between them.

1) Chocolate is our friend!

Soft chocolates melt quickly and get washed off teeth easily. Hard and gummy candies that stick in your mouth, on the other hand, gives that bacteria we mentioned more time to feed and erode your enamel.

2) Limit eating the Valentine’s Day candy to after your meals.

Think of them as a dessert! Not only does this increase the chance you’ll drink water and wash away some of that sugar, but combining the candy with a meal keeps your teeth from being hit by straight sugar.

3) Hydrate!

When you drink tap water, the fluoride in the water fortifies your dental enamel. Water also helps to wash away the bacteria and sugars from your food, limiting the harmful effects of Valentine’s Day candy. Be sure to choose water over sugary drinks to wash down those sweets!

4) After eating brush and floss, but wait a few minutes to do it.

It’s always a great idea to brush your teeth after sweet treats. However, waiting a bit ensures you’re not scrubbing at teeth that are weakened by acid. Waiting half an hour to brush gives minerals a chance to redeposit on the enamel and the pH of your mouth to rebalance.

5) Consider non-candy treats for Valentine’s Day!

Other foods can be romantic, and there are all sorts of fruit arrangements or seafood dinners available to couples looking to show affection through food. While skipping candy entirely will always be the best option for your oral health, we know sweets bring joy to many.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep your teeth healthy after eating sugary Valentine’s Day candies. Remember though to show your teeth some love, too. Ocoee Oral Surgery wishes all our patients a Happy Valentine’s Day!

A New Year and a New You with Dental Implants

Wednesday, 22 December 2021 18:52

Here at Ocoee Oral Surgery we believe that dental implants can be life-changing for patients who suffer day-to-day difficulties with their dentures or bone loss. To start 2022 right, why not consider a permanent tooth replacement solution?

Here are some reasons why denture wearers should consider dental implants. 

Get Your Bite Back

You probably noticed a major change in your diet and eating habits after getting dentures. Dentures can make it challenging to chew food thoroughly, and some hard or chewy foods are completely off-limits.

However with dental implants your dentures are firmly held in place. This sturdiness helps expand your diet. Eat what you like without stopping to adjust your teeth!

Be More Confident

Have you ever felt your dentures slide or shift positions in your mouth while you were smiling, talking to someone, or eating with a friend? Tooth loss isn’t something to be embarrassed about, but it’s hard not to feel embarrassed when your teeth are visibly moving.

Again, the adherence provided by dental implants will save the day. Smile with confidence and talk without covering your mouth. Your dental implants will stay in place and free you from worrying about whether or not your teeth are moving.

Have a Permanent Solution

It’s easy to drop slippery dentures while cleaning them, and they can shatter in your sink or on your bathroom floor. Even if you manage to avoid this kind of damage, dentures wear with time and need to be relined or replaced.

Dental implants don’t need to be taken out to be cleaned, you clean them just as you would natural teeth. With good care, they should last the rest of your life!

Patients who have dentures may think that they aren’t candidates for dental implants, but dental implants are appropriate for many. To find out whether or not you’re a candidate for dental implants, read more about our dental implant procedures at Ocoee Oral Surgery here, and schedule a consultation or call us today at 423.479.8544!