Do I Really Need X-Rays?

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Sometimes (in many instances), we will need to take X-rays of your oral structures. You might ask yourself why this is necessary, what it allows us to do, and why we can’t just look closely at what we can see with our eyes alone and go from there. To help you feel more confident about coming in for the comprehensive treatment plan you require to protect your oral health, we offer some helpful details about advanced imaging and why it’s part of your care.

We Need To See Everything

Of course, we can gain a lot of information by talking with you about your smile and by looking at your teeth and surrounding structures. They provide details and hints. However, making estimations and guesses about what’s happening beneath your teeth, within your teeth, and within the supportive framework surrounding your smile is not at all precise. For the precision necessary to offer accurate diagnoses and care, we need a way to see the tissues that are not visible on the surface. This is where advanced imaging comes in, giving us the insight required.

Care Requires Detailed Planning

Why do we need advanced imaging to plan, you wonder? Let’s take dental implants as a solid example. In order to ensure you are in fact ready for implants, we need to see how your jaw health is. If it passes, we can move forward. If not, we may need to perform bone grafting. Then, we need to create a very detailed strategy for the placement of your implants to promote optimal healing, alignment, and more. How can we see deeper into your tissues for a complete visual of your smile? With advanced imaging, of course. Have additional questions? We are always happy to answer them.

Achieve Optimal Case Planning With Advanced Imaging

Coming in for the X-rays and imaging you need is essential to receiving the precise treatments and care for a healthy, complete smile. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

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Oral Surgery Post-Op Meds: Things To Consider

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After you undergo oral surgery, you (like many patients) may return home with a prescription for strong pain reliever that are specifically suggested for patients who have received treatments like jaw surgery. This is, of course, something that gives you the security you need, knowing you will be able to remain completely comfortable following your surgery. Does that mean that you will always require an Rx? Will you be able to function on such medication and still work? We gladly answer these and other frequent questions.

You May Need More Than OTC Options

It’s entirely possible that you may be able to rely on over-the-counter medications to alleviate any inflammation and discomfort that you experience after oral surgery. However, it is also common practice to prescribe something stronger if necessary. Speak with us about your preferences and your discomfort tolerance, so we may decide together about the best decision for your needs.

You Might Need Time Off From Daily Tasks

If you do end up relying on prescription medication after oral surgery, it is important to remember that it will result in some minor impairment that will require you to stay home from work, class, or other obligations (and you will need to avoid driving until the medicine is out of your system).

Drug Storage And Disposal Require Extra Thought

Remember that you cannot just shake your extra pills into the trash bin, garbage disposal, or toilet bowl. Instead, you will need to thoughtfully rid yourself of them as described on the package or you will need to bring them to a local drug collection location provided by your community to keep the drugs out of our water systems. Otherwise, the drugs can end up in drinking water, harming aquatic life, and more.

Make Good Choices For Your Smile

Let us know if you require assistance with your oral health, so we may offer our comprehensive oral surgery treatment options. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

How to Relax During Visits

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We know that for many of our patients, certain dental visits can feel more stressful than others. In some instances, just coming in for a consultation can result in heightened nervousness. Whether you end up with butterflies in your stomach for particular treatments or if dental anxiety is a consistent part of your life, we would like to remind you that we understand! It is, of course, our hope to guide you through the care your smile needs, while helping you feel reassured and peaceful. To help get you started on the right track, we offer some ways to relax that you may not have considered before.

Ask Us Questions

Are you someone who tends to overanalyze everything? Who simply likes all of the information? Who begins to feel uneasy when you have a question but you don’t feel like you have immediate access to a reliable answer? If so, you are like a lot of people! To reduce any unease you experience during visits, we strongly suggest you ask your questions during dental visits instead of keeping them bottled up.

Relax, Relax, Relax

It’s often a matter of remembering that you’re at a dental visit to promote your oral health. Everything we do is to provide a positive impact on your smile and supportive structures. So, release your tension, relax your body from head to toe, and remind yourself that all you have to do is rest during your dental visit, while we do our job!

Ask About Sedation

We offer a comprehensive selection of dental sedation options. Speak with us about them and how they may help address your particular needs.

Learn More About How To Enjoy Your Visits

Speak with us about sedation if you would like to come in but are having trouble accessing care because of serious anxiety. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

Cracked Tooth: Do I Need An Extraction?

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The only thing worse than ending up with a cracked tooth is feeling completely uncertain about available treatments. Will a tooth with a crack in it require a dental extraction, you wonder? Is it a fixable problem? Are all fractures, cracks, and fissures alike? We understand your concern and know that experiencing dental damage can feel quite overwhelming. As a result, we would like to help take the stress (and mystery) out of the situation, so you can seek help and restore your smile as soon as possible.

Different Cracks Require Different Care

When you crack a tooth, the severity of the crack, the length, and more will affect the type of treatment you require. If your primary concern is whether you will need a dental extraction, the answer is that this is usually only the case with deep or serious cracks. For cracks that do not extend below the gumline, you will generally be able to receive a dental crown (and possibly a root canal treatment if required). As for very tiny cracks that only affect your enamel, these are esthetic in nature (called craze lines) and are not dangerous; you may treat them with cosmetic care or ignore them.

Cracked Tooth? Come See Us Immediately!

As you’ve noticed, you are not going to be able to diagnose your tooth crack on your own and, of course, ignoring one can lead to some serious oral health problems. As a result, we simply suggest you come in to see us immediately if a crack occurs. We can determine whether you require a dental extraction or otherwise and then quickly help you restore your oral health.

See Us ASAP For Help With A Cracked Tooth

Protect your immediate and long-term oral health by speaking with us right away about receiving treatment for a cracked tooth. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

From Cavity To Implant: How Did It Happen?

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One moment you have a cavity in your smile and your general dentist suggests that you receive a dental filling. The next, you find yourself in our chair in need of a dental extraction to be followed by a dental implant. What on earth happened, you may wonder? As far as you thought, you had all the time in the world to address your tooth decay. Is there some detail you’re missing? To help you become more familiar with why treating decay immediately is so significant, we offer solid information for the future.

About Tooth Decay

When you find out that you have a cavity, it’s extremely important to keep one word in mind: Progressive. Why so? Well, tooth decay is a progressive disease, which means it continues to advance and advance until you make a decision to put a stop to it. As a result, you aren’t going to have a small hole that remains the same size, shape, depth, and severity. You’ll have tissue that’s essentially rotting away until you receive treatment.

About Restorative Treatments

Before you end up finding yourself in need of a dental extraction and dental implant, there are restorative treatments that will help in rescuing your tooth. For mild to moderate cavities, you can receive a dental filling. For more advanced tooth decay, you may be able to receive a crown. However, when the disease progresses beyond the help you can receive from restorative care, it will be time to remove the tooth to save your overall oral health.

When You Need Replacement

The good news is that while you may have avoided losing your tooth, you still have the option of replacing it completely with a dental implant! In addition, with your new knowledge, you may also avoid this problem from happening in the future. Remember, preventing tooth loss is often as simple as keeping up with your restorative care as suggested to you.

Keep Teeth Healthy And Safe With Our Help

Learn more about how to best replace missing teeth and how to avoid additional tooth loss in the future when you visit our practice. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Attention: It’s National Facial Protection Month!

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When April rolls around, you might not immediately remember that it’s National Facial Protection Month. After all, there’s a lot else going on during this fourth month of the year, what with dying eggs, getting ready to indulge in chocolate bunnies, and more. Fortunately, we are here to remind you that it’s in your best interest to pay some attention to this cause. As a result, you can pick up some important details that will enable you to better avoid everything from minor issues to traumatic facial injuries (that are generally easy to prevent).

Why You Should Protect Yourself

When you’re not dealing with facial injuries, it’s easy to wonder why there would be an entire month dedicated to the prevention of them. Is this really something one needs to be concerned with? As a matter of fact, it’s an issue that generally affects hundreds of thousands of individuals every year! Consider the following:

  • Injuries can range from a broken tooth to a broken jawbone (and worse)
  • Repairing preventable damage to facial structures can be time-consuming and extremely expensive

How You Can Offer Protection

Protection against facial injuries is generally very easy. If you’re going to be playing a sport, wear an athletic mouthguard. If you’re going to be participating in an activity during which you can easily fall or experience head trauma, wear a helmet. Done!

What To Do When You Need Us

If you have questions for us about facial protection, please let us know! We will be happy to provide you with answers regarding the best ways to keep your smile safe under any circumstance. As for problems that have already occurred, contact us as soon as possible. We offer a comprehensive selection of oral surgery treatments to assist you in repairing and rejuvenating your oral health, so you get your smile back.

Protect Your Face From Injury With Easy Steps

Keep your facial structures safe and sound by following simple tips. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Answering Common Questions About Wisdom Teeth

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By the time you’re an adult, you will have met at least one person (if not many) who have mentioned their wisdom teeth removal experience. What you may not be so sure about, however, is why you haven’t had one of these experiences yourself (or if it’s okay that you’re procrastinating). When you’re uncertain about your oral health, we always encourage you to let us know you have questions. For this particular topic, we offer some introductory assistance by answering common questions.

Questions and Answers

Question: Why don’t I have any wisdom teeth? Is this a bad thing?

Answer: We’re not entirely sure about why some people simply never develop wisdom teeth. What we do know is that you’re fortunate! You don’t need these molars and for many people, their presence simply requires oral surgery for removal.

Question: My wisdom teeth are all grown in and haven’t been causing me any problems. Should I still have them removed with wisdom teeth removal surgery?

Answer: The only reason to have them removed is if they are presenting a problem for you or if you think they will in the future. For instance, if you find them difficult to access and thoroughly clean, decay and other issues may result, which is good cause for elective removal.

Question: My wisdom tooth is causing me some problems but the thought of scheduling oral surgery just seems too time-consuming. Is it really going to be a big deal if I put it off for a while longer?

Answer: It may be. Remember that problems with these teeth can result in difficult dental hygiene, decay, cyst formation, pain, teeth forced into misalignment, and more. Choosing wisdom teeth removal surgery ASAP is the best decision.

Avoid Complications By Scheduling Wisdom Tooth Removal

Come in for a consultation with us if you are concerned about your wisdom teeth, so we can offer helpful advice and necessary treatment. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

FAQs: Pregnancy And Dental Implants

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When you received dental implants, you may have had a lot of questions about what to expect from the life of the implants, how to care from them, and what you needed to do to promote their success. However, one of the factors you may not have considered (or learned about in detail) may have been what you expect from implants while you’re pregnant. If the time has come, then we offer both our congratulations and answers to frequently asked questions. Rest assured, we are happy to help and you can most certainly keep those implants safe and sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is there anything special I need to do to care for my dental implants while I’m pregnant?

Answer: It’s not so much about doing something special. It’s more about making sure you’re keeping your smile as clean as you can. If you ever lean toward lax dental habits, now is the time to ensure you’re brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and that you never skip a session. As a result, you remove as much plaque as you can every day.

Question: I’ve heard that pregnancy can increase one’s chances of developing periodontal problems. Does this pose any type of threat to my dental implants that are already in place?

Answer: It does. Inflammation of your gums may lead to peri-implantitis, which can damage the bone, gums, and other tissues supporting and surrounding your implants. Fortunately, keeping your gums healthy with home (and professional) care will prevent this from occurring.

Question: Is there anything I can do to ensure the possible complications don’t lead to problems with my dental implants?

Answer: Yes. Follow any and all suggestions provided to you by our team and your general dentist. In general, this will include brushing, flossing, scheduling dental visits for cleanings and checkups, and avoiding risk factors like smoking.

Protect Your Pregnancy Smile With Dental Care

Visit us and your general dentist throughout your pregnancy to protect your oral health and dental implants along the way. Set up the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Q&A: In Honor Of Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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There are those things that are easy to consider and think about on a daily basis. Then, there are those oral health issues that are often easy to overlook and forget about until they begin causing a problem. When it comes to issues like oral cancer, which are often silent as they begin developing, it’s easy to forget to remain mindful and proactive about keeping your mouth in excellent condition with preventive care. In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage you to consider answers to common questions that will help you get on solid footing regarding this avoidable disease.

Questions and Answers

Question: Is oral cancer really something that I need to be worrying about? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has dealt with the issue.

Answer: We don’t suggest that you expend extra energy feeling stressed or overly concerned about this issue. However, we do encourage you to remain proactive. While you may not know anyone who has ever dealt with it, the disease is diagnosed in nearly 50,000 new patients every year and claims the lives of nearly 10,000 of those diagnosed. Prevention is extremely important.

Question: How do I know if I am developing oral cancer? Will I see obvious symptoms?

Answer: As mentioned, this disease is often silent for quite a while as it begins developing. While symptoms may eventually develop, you will have more success with detection and early treatment by keeping up with checkups (twice a year) with your general dentist.

Question: Should I come see you if I notice a change in the lining of my mouth or if any other abnormal things occur?

Answer: Of course. If you notice any type of change, whether it’s a well-known oral cancer symptom or anything else, we urge you to schedule an oral pathology visit, so we can examine your smile.

Prevent Serious Problems With Your Smile

Come see us if you notice any type of change with your oral health, so we can immediately guide you toward any necessary treatments. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.