Implants And Your Hypertension Meds

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Are you on medication for hypertension? If so, you may not recognize that there could be a link between high blood pressure and the need to protect your dental implants. The good news is that you, of course, are doing the best thing you can by managing your blood pressure. Even better news? We can certainly provide you with helpful information regarding what to expect from the meds you’re taking and how to ensure they don’t get in the way of your implant success. Let’s get started!

Hypertension Meds Cause Side Effects

Before we delve into the details of how hypertension medication can affect your dental implants, let’s work our way through the common side effects first. The problem most frequently reported as it relates to your oral health and implants: Dry mouth. Sure, it just sounds like something that’s taken care of with a sip of water but it can be a bit more serious than that. Unfortunately, it means your body isn’t making enough saliva, so your mouth is dry. Dry tissues end up with an overpopulation of bacteria.

Why Side Effects Matter

Now you know you’ve got too much bacteria in your mouth if you are, in fact, dealing with dry mouth from your high blood pressure medication. Too much bacteria means a greater chance of inflamed gum tissue, decay, and peri-implantitis (which leads to dental implant failure as the gum tissue surrounding implants becomes swollen and infected). Of course, you may also end up with bad breath and decayed teeth on top of it!

How To Improve The Problem

Always keep an open line of communication with your doctor, so you can do your best to protect your overall health and switch to a different drug when possible. You should also keep up with dental checkups, so you can receive the expert care you need to manage unavoidable dry mouth.

Remain Mindful Of Protecting Dental Implants

By speaking with us, your doctor, and your general dentist, you will be able to keep your mouth and implants in excellent condition. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Implants: Why Exceptional Care Is So Important

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You might think that missing a brushing session just once is no big deal. You may think that since you’ve gotten away with not flossing for so many years without serious problems, you might as well continue on without it. We understand that at a glance, a bit of a lax approach doesn’t seem like it’s going to lead to severe consequences. However, it’s actually extremely important that you practice exceptional care, especially if you have dental implants. Let’s cover some significant details. (And remember, maintenance is actually very simple).

Get To Know Plaque

Your smile becomes coated every single day, day after day, with something known as biofilm or plaque. This substance is somewhat soft but sticky enough to adhere to teeth and your dental implant restorations. It’s easy to clean away with brushing and flossing when the plaque is soft. Here’s where things get tricky: In as little as 24 hours, it can turn into an extraordinarily hard, stubborn substance we know as calculus (or tartar). It’s not going to budge unless you receive a professional dental cleaning.

Plaque Is Your Enemy

Now you have a better idea of how plaque works and the limited window in which you have to remove it. Why is this so important, though, you wonder? Well, consider the details:

  • Plaque is loaded with bacteria that irritate your gums and that can erode tooth tissue
  • Tartar (and additional plaque) will accumulate, often migrating beneath your gums
  • When plaque and tartar take over, you may end up with decay, gum disease, and infection
  • Protecting the success of your dental implants means avoiding inflammation
  • Protecting remaining natural teeth and your overall oral health means avoiding inflammation, decay, and more, so brush and floss exactly as suggested

Protect Implants With Optimal Care

Remember to ask your questions about caring for your smile with dental implants when you’re at your next visit. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Why You Should Come In

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We know that you might not feel very excited to come in to see us if you need oral surgery. However, we strongly encourage you to do so (particularly if your dentist has made the recommendation). To help you feel a bit more motivated to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment, we love explaining things from our perspective. Fortunately, it just might help you feel comfortable enough to come on in!

It’s Just A Consultation

Yes, you need oral surgery but you don’t need it on the day of your consultation. You’re going to talk with us. We’re going to spend some time viewing your smile and any records we received from your dentist. Think of it as a relaxing appointment when you can have your questions answered. You’ll get to know us, gain a comfort level with our office, and you’ll see that this journey is going to be much simpler and easy to achieve than you may have imagined.

You Really Do Need It

There are things you can ignore for a while. Then, there are those problems that may end up causing so many complications that you wish you’d avoided procrastinating. Under most circumstances, your need for oral surgery is pressing, which means it’s best to get the process started sooner than later. When you replace a missing tooth, remove a problematic one, address jaw problems, and more, you can expect the following:

  • Extraordinary relief in knowing what’s wrong and in fixing the issue, so you can move on
  • Enjoying the benefits of a healthy smile, which means feeling physically good, feeling happy about your appearance, and eating and speaking without a challenge

Come On In For An Easy Consultation

Coming in for a consultation is a very easy first step toward getting your oral health back to an exceptional level for optimal function, beauty, and comfort. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

Stress Awareness Month: Protect Your Teeth!

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As we get ready to welcome in April, we also usher in the recognition of a problem that affects nearly everyone you know (you’ve probably heard most people express it from time to time). What is it that we’re ushering in? Stress Awareness Month! From our perspective, this is a wonderful time to reflect on the way the stresses of your life impact your teeth. Can feeling this way damage your dental implants or lead to other complications with your smile? As a matter of fact, it can. Learn more, so you can maintain optimal oral health.

Stress And Implants

If you have dental implants, then you are already aware that promoting their success is fairly simple. However, you also know that there are certain risk factors that can encourage failure. Consistent pressure is one of these factors. If you are someone who feels stressed and that stress is translated into gritting, grinding, or clenching your teeth, you may have a problem. Do your best to remain up-to-date on dental checkups, so if you do experience TMJ disorder or bruxism disorder, you receive treatment before the pressure damages your implants.

Stress And Tooth Loss

Perhaps you still have all of your natural teeth but you’ve ignored a diagnosis of bruxism or TMJ disorder. Maybe you are not yet aware of the problem but you can tell you’re grinding or placing excess stress on your jaw joints. Unfortunately, over time, such issues can lead to the loss of your teeth (which will then require replacements like dental implants). Keep your smile safe by seeking out managements tools for your stress.

Don’t Let Stress Get The Best Of You

Like anything else to do with your oral health, we are happy to talk with you about how stress plays a role in smile damage and how to prevent or treat it. Schedule 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: Pregnancy And Oral Surgery

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When you are planning a family or when you’re already well on your way toward having a baby, your usual ability to schedule oral surgery at a moment’s notice changes. Protecting the health of your baby takes priority, which can mean dental work takes a back seat or otherwise requires some very thoughtful pre-planning. To help address your concerns about caring for your smile as you bring new life into the world, we provide you with an initial set of questions and answers (that we will be happy to elaborate upon in person).

Questions and Answers

Question: Do you suggest against receiving oral surgery when I’m pregnant?

Answer: Generally speaking, surgery during pregnancy is not recommended. This is to avoid any possible complications. Keep in mind that surgery requires the use of sedatives, which can negatively impact a developing fetus.

Question: What if I know that I need oral surgery before I make plans to start a family? Should I get work done ahead of time or just wait?

Answer: We always provide specific answers to our patients on a case by case basis. In general, however, to limit the chance of problems during pregnancy, we suggest receiving dental care to optimize your oral health before you become pregnant, if possible.

Question: Is it true that I might lose teeth as a result of pregnancy and may then require implants?

Answer: Not exactly! It is common for your shift in hormones to cause your teeth to become loose (or for the shift to promote periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss). However, keeping up with dental visits will ensure you avoid all manner of potential issues.

Protect Your Smile Before, During, And After Pregnancy

Coming in to discuss oral surgery and the best time for your treatments is a wonderful way to strategize your best care plan. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Are Extractions Avoidable?

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You may assume that when you need a dental extraction, there’s nothing you could have done differently to avoid it. To the contrary, you will be happy to hear that in many instances, you can make choices that will allow you to rescue and keep your tooth. Of course, there are accidents, unforeseen changes, and particular needs that may lead to the removal of one or more of your teeth. As for what makes an extraction necessary or completely avoidable, let’s break down the details.

The Ones That Are Unavoidable

Some dental extractions are simply unavoidable. There’s nothing you might have done differently to prevent them. As far as these types of tooth removal needs, they may include the following:

  • You’re suffering from overcrowding, so you need a tooth taken out to complete your orthodontic care
  • Your wisdom teeth are impacted or threatening your smile in another way

The Ones That Are Avoidable

While there are cases that will leave you with no other option but to say yes to a dental extraction, there are many ways to avoid the removal of your tooth, as well. Remember that extractions are often a final resort for teeth that have become too damaged or diseased to stay put. Think through the following for a better understanding of how to preserve your natural teeth:

  • Teeth removed due to severe infection: This tooth may have been kept by seeking restorative care before the infection became serious.
  • Teeth removed due to severe decay: This tooth may have been rescued by receiving a filling the moment a cavity was detected.
  • Teeth removed due to breakage: This tooth may have been rescued by practicing more diligent dental care, by remaining committed to checkups and cleanings, by receiving necessary restorative care, by wearing a protective mouthguard when participating in sports, and by avoiding overly hard food choices.

Learn More About Protecting Your Smile

To receive a necessary extraction or to learn more about protecting your oral health, it’s a good plan to come on in for an appointment with our practice. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.  

Set Your Schedule: Spring Today, Summer Tomorrow

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The moment spring shows its lovely face, you smile for a moment and then a sudden realization hits you: Summer is not quite as far off as it seems. Sure, there are wedding invitations and barbecue invites in your inbox that have been piling up. However, with not much more than a couple blinks of your eyes, kids will be out of school and you’ll wonder where the time went. If you have teens who need oral surgery, we strongly suggest giving us a call to get your summer scheduled out nice and early.

Schedule Summer Appointments Today

Why schedule your summer appointments now? Well, if you know the type of oral surgery treatment your child needs, the sooner you call us to schedule, the greater the availability. If you schedule today for a June or July procedure, rather than calling us up in the same month you need care, you have a lot more flexibility. This may be to your benefit if you’re working around travel plans, your own work schedule, and more.

What’s Good For Summer?

Oral surgery requires some recovery, so not only do you avoid taking your kids out of class for the day but you avoid worrying about how quickly they can recover. Not sure if your kid needs anything? Consider the following common procedures:

  • Extraction For Orthodontic Care: If your child is under orthodontic care and requires one or multiple extractions, summer is a good time to get them done.
  • Wisdom Teeth Removal: For older teens and young adults, wisdom teeth begin coming in (and often require removal).

Set Up Summer Visits In Spring

Get a head start on planning out summer visits for your kids by getting appointments on the books in spring. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Why Tooth Loss Isn’t The End Of The World

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We know that when you lose a tooth, it can feel like your entire world has come to a screeching halt. You are shocked that you’re missing a tooth, you feel unhappy about the appearance of your smile, and you worry for the future of your oral health (in addition to a lot of other things). While we can empathize, we would like to clear something up: This is certainly not the end of the world! We offer dental implants, so you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off, replace that missing tooth, and feel wonderful about your smile again.

We Offer Implants

About those dental implants: If you are not familiar with them, a simple breakdown will help. An implant is a part of a prosthetic solution that replaces the entirety of your tooth. The implant portion is a titanium post. Once inserted surgically into your jaw tissue, the post will bond with the tissue and act as your replacement roots. We will use a lifelike restoration (a crown for single implants) to complete the replacement, so you have a full “tooth” again.

You Won’t Need To Worry About Your Smile

Once you receive dental implants, you won’t need to worry about your tooth. There will be no accessories necessary to keep the implant in place or anything very special you will need to do to protect it (aside from the usual dental hygiene already suggested for your smile). Stability won’t be an issue, your replacement tooth will look natural, and you will be able to return to your usual diet. You’ll simply have your smile back.

We Offer Payment Options

Another reason this isn’t the end of the world? We offer flexible options for payments. Whether you wish to use dental insurance, pay out of pocket, or rely on CareCredit, making dental implants part of your smile does not need to be stressful.

Dental Implants Can Save The Day

When you’re experiencing tooth loss, speaking with us about how dental implants can make your smile complete and beautiful again is a wonderful first step. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

General Extractions: Let Our Patients Talk To You!

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When the day arrives in your life that includes a need for a general extraction, you may experience any of a mix of emotions. You might feel relieved, happy, worried, scared, excited, uncertain, and more! The main thing we want you to keep in mind is that scheduling the removal of your tooth is the best thing for you because taking out a damaged or problematic tooth will keep your mouth healthy in the long run. While the technical details are something you can comprehend, it doesn’t necessarily mean you feel A-OK about your upcoming visit. For some added comfort, take our patients’ stories to heart with video testimonials.

Who Has Teeth Removed?

From our testimonials on general extractions, you will notice that it’s not a particular age group or gender that has a need for tooth removal. It’s everyone! From a three-year-old who ends up with an unexpected abscess in his tooth to both men and women who are certainly not fans of dental care, it’s something that can happen to anyone. The good news is that when you come in for your visit with us, you can expect the most relaxing experience that will set you right back on the path toward good oral health.

Check Out Our Testimonials

About that three-year-old and those men and women who require dental extractions just like you: Take a moment to listen to their stories through quick, informative video interviews. They discuss their experiences, their level of hesitation, and how wonderfully their oral surgery turned out. It’s often helpful to see that you’re most definitely not the only patient who needs a tooth removed or who feels a little unsure about the process. For any remaining questions, please feel free to contact us!

A Required Extraction Will Save Your Smile

General extractions can offer exceptional improvement to your oral health, which is why we encourage you to become confident in this treatment. To learn more and have your questions answered, schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

Osseointegration Review: Q&A Edition

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As you become familiar with the introductory details of dental implants, you learn that they can bond with your jaw tissue in a way that seems magical. After all, you know that your body typically rejects foreign objects, so you might start wondering what makes implants so unique. Fortunately, a process called osseointegration is what makes this beneficial option for replacing missing teeth possible. We’d like to review some details patients frequently ask us about, so you feel educated on the topic.

Questions and Answers

Question: Why is the process called osseointegration?

Answer: This is a term that covers what happens when your jawbone and the dental implant fuse. “Osseo-” refers to bone tissue. “Integration” refers to the joining of multiple parts into one. So, you have your bone and the implant bonding into a single unit.

Question: Why doesn’t my body reject the dental implants? How is it even possible for osseointegration to occur?

Answer: Your body does not reject the implants as foreign objects because they are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material. This means that they won’t harm organic tissues (like your gums and your jaw). Instead, your body accepts them.

Question: Does this always work?

Answer: While it is always possible for any type of treatment to fail or to yield complications, it is very, very unlikely that your dental implant treatment will be unsuccessful. Implants retain a success rate of about 98 percent. That means that in most cases, your jawbone tissue will fuse with your implant for long-term wear.

Complete Your Smile With Implants

Coming in for a visit will shed light on how dental implants work and whether they may work for your missing teeth. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.