Wisdom Teeth Removal For Your Child

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You may be surprised to learn that in most cases, the earlier you schedule wisdom teeth removal for your child, the better. While you may have trouble believing your teen is even old enough to be developing third molars, you may find yourself caught off-guard at the idea of setting up a time for oral surgery. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, allow us to provide answers to your inquiries, so you can feel confident about this decision to protect your child’s oral health.

Q&A: Wisdom Teeth Removal For Your Son or Daughter

Question: How do I know if my child needs wisdom teeth removal?

Answer: We will examine your son or daughter’s smile, usually with the use of digital X-rays and a CT scan, to determine whether the teeth are on-track for healthy development or require removal.

Question: Is the removal of wisdom teeth really necessary?

Answer: If your child’s teeth are impacted or develop on an angle, the result may include periodontal disease, misalignment, cavities, infection, and other disease.

Question: Why remove the teeth now rather than later in my son or daughter’s adulthood?

Answer: Younger, newer teeth are softer and have shorter roots. As your child ages, the roots of the wisdom teeth become longer, while the jaw tissue surrounding the roots becomes more challenging to work with. This makes the removal of the teeth more difficult.

Question: Will my child feel comfortable during the procedure? Does it take a long time?

Answer: Yes, the comfort of each one of our patients is always of the utmost importance. First, we will numb the target site with local anesthesia, as well as surrounding tissues. We also offer a variety of anesthesia options, including nitrous oxide or IV sedation, depending on your child’s unique needs. Fortunately, wisdom teeth removal is quite efficient, generally lasting 30 to 40 minutes.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Common Questions About Dental Implants

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Have you been finding that you feel somewhat conflicted lately when it comes to your thoughts about dental implants and their benefits? Perhaps you recently learned that implants can offer you a long-lasting replacement solution for your missing teeth (including your roots). As a result, you may find it difficult to avoid feeling ungrateful when what you really want to do is yell out, “Wait! I just have a couple more questions!” Rest easy – we understand that feeling knowledgeable is a big comfort and a very responsible approach to making important decisions about your oral health. We are always more than happy to answer your questions.

Questions and Answers: Dental Implants

Question: I know that dental implants offer wonderful stability. However, is that stability very impressive when compared with natural teeth?

Answer: Yes. You see, the dental implant that we place will undergo a process called “osseointegration” during which it bonds with your jawbone. Similar to the way your roots and jawbone once functioned as a single unit, your implant and jawbone will provide you with the same level of daily strength.

Question: Will my dental crown or other restoration be custom designed to blend with my smile?

Answer: Yes, of course. Once you have healed from your dental implant placement, we will restore the post with a beautiful, custom-crafted restoration that will look natural and lifelike, while blending seamlessly with your remaining smile.

Question: How much do dental implants cost?

Answer: Each patient requires unique care, which makes it impossible to provide a universal cost for dental implants. Two different patients may require different diagnostic testing, a different amount of implants, different restorations, and one may even require bone grafting while the other does not. We invite you to visit us for a consultation, so we may provide you with your customized care plan and details.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Compelling Reasons To Choose Implants

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When you are looking for a tooth replacement solution that suits your needs, while offering long-term benefits, you are likely to run across the exceptional advantages of dental implants. For most patients, the benefits of dental implants make them instantly appealing. If you are someone who has been patiently sorting through your options for addressing tooth loss, we encourage you to consider some additional compelling reasons to choose implants, so you can make an educated, fully confident decision.

Restore Facial Structure

Your smile provides volume to your lower face when your lips are closed. This volume supports a full lower face, which supports the muscles and structure of the rest of your face. When you lose many of your teeth, this structure diminishes, often resulting in a sinking-in, sagging appearance. This multiplies when a patient’s jawbone deteriorates, which is a common side effect of tooth loss. Fortunately, replacing your roots and teeth with dental implants rejuvenates the lower structure of your face for a more youthful quality.

Improve Daily Quality Of Life

Missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth results in a less than desirable quality of life. Chewing your food and speaking articulately both become quite challenging. Unfortunately, this may have widespread effects, limiting your ability to feel confident and enjoy aspects of your life that you once experienced without a second thought. Everything from your career to your social life may become negatively impacted. Replacing teeth with dental implants can reverse these issues for a wonderful quality of life.

Enjoy Efficient Oral Hygiene

Open spaces in your smile can make brushing and flossing a challenge. You may find it difficult to keep the areas where your teeth once stood free of debris, which can cause foul breath and frustration. Dental implants offer long-term smile completion, so you can say goodbye to hygiene problems and hello to effective daily care.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Digital X-Rays: What’s What?

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You may have an inkling that advanced dental technology plays an important role in our ability to diagnose problems and plan for your improved oral health. However, when it comes to the particular details of digital X-rays, for instance, you may feel at a loss. True, you are likely more than happy to strike the necessary pose we suggest, which will optimize our ability to capture detailed images of your smile. However, you may be looking for specific information regarding why we’re taking X-rays or what to make of the different imaging systems we use. Don’t worry – becoming familiar what’s what in the world of dental imaging is simple.

What Makes Them Digital?

Conventional X-rays require the use of film and processing chemicals. The finished product includes a physical X-ray that we hold in our hand. Digital X-rays – similar to digital photography – are created with the use of computer software. Rather than processing film, we simply upload the gathered image into our computer system for further use.

Why Do I Need X-Rays?

There is a lot happening beneath the surface of your oral cavity that we cannot see by visually examining your smile. Though a glance in your mouth provides us with a jumping off point, we need a detailed, close-up look at the inner working of your mouth and supportive structures to diagnose concerns, suggest treatments, and create personalized care plans with precision.

Types of Digital X-Rays

We may suggest one or multiple types of X-rays depending on your particular needs. Learn more with the following:

  • Panoramic X-Rays: A panoramic X-ray captures an image of your entire mouth at once, rather than portions. This helps us view your sinuses, teeth, and jaws.
  • iCAT Scans: Short for cone-beam computed tomography, this imaging provides us with a three-dimensional view of your mouth and cranium. This helps us make decisions regarding oral surgery, such as procedures including implants or third molars.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Children And Dental Implants

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You may feel completely filled in and confident about the benefits of dental implants and adult candidacy. However, when it comes to the oral health of your child, you are already well aware that a developing smile does not always qualify for the same treatments as Mom or Dad’s smile. We understand that protecting the beauty and completeness of your child’s smile is your top priority, which is why we are happy to clarify the role implants may play in replacing your son or daughter’s tooth. Become familiar with the particulars and, as always, please contact us, so we may offer your child a consultation and personalized treatment plan.

Can My Child Receive An Implant?

The answer to this question is not black or white. First, we can say definitively that we cannot provide dental implants to young children because their jawbones are still in the process of developing. We must wait until your child’s smile is fully mature before we can place an implant.

What Is The Qualifying Age?

This may vary from child to child. However, the qualifying age for implant placement typically includes 18 years for girls. For boys, the qualifying age is usually a bit older.

Why Might My Child Need A Dental Implant?

Perhaps your child’s permanent tooth fails to develop and you are left searching for a lasting prosthetic. Maybe your little one’s tooth becomes seriously injured or has been removed. Whatever the case, dental implants offer an excellent solution once your child becomes a candidate.

What If My Child Is Still Too Young?

Don’t lose hope – we will guide you toward a replacement solution for the time being. We encourage you to visit us right away, so we can determine what is happening with your child’s smile, while crafting a care plan tailored to your son or daughter’s needs.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Do I Need A Post-Extraction Implant?

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The first concern patients voice when they discover they require a tooth extraction addresses what will become of their previously complete smile. Fortunately, we offer dental implants to replace your extracted tooth if you are in need of a tooth replacement. While you may assume every tooth removal requires us to then address the open space, this is not always the case. Learn more about whether you qualify for an implant after your extraction, reasons you may not, and whether you need a tooth replacement at all. Keep in mind, we will work closely with you to ensure you’re on track for a beautiful, complete, healthy smile.

Your Tooth Or Gums Are Unhealthy

If we remove your tooth because it is infected or because it requires removal as the result of periodontal disease, it may not be time for a dental implant just yet. However, an implant may provide you with a wonderful solution once you are clear of existing infection – or, once you have received successful periodontal treatment.

Your Wisdom Tooth Is Impacted

If we remove your wisdom tooth, you will not require a replacement tooth. These are your “third molars,” which form behind the rest of your teeth and are not required for esthetics or daily function. In fact, some people never even develop wisdom teeth.

Your Smile Is Overcrowded

You will not require a dental implant or other prosthetic if we remove your tooth because your smile is overcrowded. In this case, the tooth extraction occurs to create additional space in your smile in preparation for orthodontic treatment to align your teeth.

Your Tooth Is Broken

If you require an extraction due to serious trauma that damages your tooth, a dental implant offers a wonderful tooth replacement option that will restore your entire tooth, including your roots. In some cases, we can perform the extraction and place an implant in one day.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

How Do I Take Care of My Dental Implants?

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Dental implants are small titanium posts that are designed to mimic and replace the roots of your lost teeth. As such, they offer unmatched support for your dental crown, bridge, or partial/complete denture, making your prosthesis more lifelike in function and appearance. To help ensure the longevity of your dental implant(s) and restoration, however, it is important that you learn how to take care of your dental implants, both at home and at your dentist’s office.

Daily Dental Implant Maintenance

The beauty of dental implants lies in their ability to mimic nature – particularly, the roots that support and sustain your teeth. Besides comfort and function, this improved stability also means that caring for your implant restoration is similar to caring for your natural teeth.

  • Be sure to brush and floss your teeth and restoration at least twice every day to remove food particles and bacterial plaque.
  • Use non-invasive toothpaste to reduce the chances of scratching your implant restoration.
  • Your restoration should not stain, but it can be damaged from excessive pressure; refrain from grinding your teeth, or visit your dentist if you realize that you grind your teeth unconsciously.

Long-Term Dental Implant Success

Besides taking care of your dental implants every day at home, they also require professional care from your general dentist. Routine visits will help keep developing dental issues, like gum disease, at bay, and allow your dentist to suggest treatment if an issue does arise. Depending on your exact needs and preferences, you should schedule a visit at least once every six months, or sooner.

If gum disease or tooth decay in a nearby tooth are detected, then prompt treatment could be necessary to prevent the issue from weakening the oral structures that support your dental implant(s).

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Orthognathic Surgery: FAQs

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Do you suffer from problems with comfortable daily chewing or effective speaking? Patients whose jaws are misaligned may find relief when they discover the benefits of orthognathic surgery. Rather than struggling with your dental health, daily function, and beauty, you can often find the improvement you need and desire with jaw surgery. Curious about what to expect from surgical jaw alignment and how significantly it may impact your life? Answers to frequently asked questions should help steer you in the right direction.

Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can’t I just receive orthodontic treatment to improve the alignment of my top and bottom teeth?

Answer: If your jaws did not form correctly, you will need more than orthodontic treatment. True, orthodontic systems like braces can first shift your teeth, so they align correctly after your surgical procedure. However, if your jaws require improvement beyond the way your teeth are organized, then you will require both orthodontic care and jaw surgery for comprehensive improvement.

Question: Is improving my jaw alignment really that important? I’ve become accustomed to uncomfortable chewing.

Answer: While some patients have a high tolerance for discomfort, there are serious side effects that come with poorly aligned jaws and teeth. Misalignment may lead to TMJ (jaw joint) disorder as a result of daily strain. You may also suffer from tooth damage, erosion, and sensitivity if you cannot close your teeth together properly. Of course, dental hygiene may also present a significant challenge, which promotes tooth decay, infection, and further complications.

Question: What will my smile look after orthognathic surgery? I want my function to improve but I also want my smile to look nice.

Answer: Poor jaw alignment may include abnormal facial skeletal growth, which can impact the appearance of your smile and your face. By aligning your jaws with orthognathic surgery, you can achieve an esthetically pleasing, aligned smile, and improved balance to your facial features.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Dental Implants: Jaw Health Protection

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Patients are often under the impression that losing a tooth is a cosmetic problem and little else. First, it’s important to realize that your daily function and comfort can become severely impaired with even minor tooth loss. In addition, beyond esthetic and functional concerns is the fact that tooth loss can actually lead to the deterioration of your jawbone. We encourage you to learn more about how this happens and how dental implants can protect the health of your jaw, so you’re familiar with the fact that completing your smile and protecting your oral health is certainly possible. (more…)

Your Guide To Tooth Extractions

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Learning that the best solution for your smile is a tooth extraction can come as a bit of a shock. Fortunately, once you become familiar with the reasons behind this suggestion and the many benefits, it’s easy to understand that protecting your oral health is the number one goal. Once you’re on board, we recognize that you may feel curious about what to expect – with that comes a list of common questions. To get yourself started in preparing for your visit, we invite you stroll through the ins-and-outs of extractions, so you feel educated and certain about your smile’s future.

Planning Your Extraction

It’s important for you to realize that, like any treatment, we take the planning of your tooth extraction seriously because your smile is unique. The location of your tooth and the particular reason for removal both come into play. After examining your smile and speaking with you, we will also take a series of digital X-rays for closer inspection. Once we have mapped out your smile and the tooth in question, we can create a strategic care plan tailored to your smile for efficient treatment that typically requires a single visit.

Protecting Your Comfort

Your comfort is extremely important to us. You should feel very happy to be able to protect your oral health with a tooth extraction. All you need to do is make sure you show up and we will take care of the rest. We take a comprehensive approach to your comfort, ensuring the tooth and surrounding area is numb. We also provide a selection of anesthesia options, so you can enjoy a deeply relaxed procedure.

Replacing Your Tooth

Worrying about the state of your smile after your tooth extraction? There’s no need — we will discuss your options for replacing your tooth ahead of time. In many cases, we can remove your tooth and then replace it with a dental implant within the same visit.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).