Orthognathic Surgery: FAQs

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

Posted by

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).

Dental Implants And Gum Disease

Posted by

Patients sometimes become a bit over-excited with the (not at all accurate) idea that they can stop taking care of their smiles if they have replaced their teeth with implants. We encourage you to think of your dental implants and their restorations as your natural teeth, so you don’t make any assumptions along the way that may be to your detriment. Fortunately, by providing your smile excellent care, you can continue to avoid oral illnesses like gum disease through optimal preventive hygiene.

Yes, You Can Get Gum Disease With Implants

Don’t be fooled into thinking plaque is no longer a problem since your tooth and its roots are composed of artificial material. True, your days of worrying about tooth decay are limited only to any natural teeth remaining in your smile. However, potential gum disease concerns will always remain because that tissue is living and needs to stay healthy to support your implants.

As for gum illness with dental implants, we call this peri-implantitis. The bacteria that leads to gum inflammation and eventual infection surrounding natural teeth will also result in similar problems surrounding your implants. This may lead to serious gum health decline and implant failure if not treated.

Yes, Prevention Is Easy

Of course! Keeping your dental implants clean and your gums nice and healthy is a breeze when you commit to daily preventive care. We will provide you with specific instructions regarding the frequency with which you should schedule dental checkups and cleanings as well as step-by-step dental hygiene suggestions. For the most part, you can expect to brush your teeth two times a day, floss your teeth once daily, and make sure you’re keeping up with consistent preventive visits. Stay on top your dental hygiene and you can look forward to healthy gums that stay that way.

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).

Dental Implant FAQs

Posted by

You could read page upon page of literature explaining the scientific details of dental implants and how they work, speak with friends who have implants about their experiences, and even read message boards online. What you won’t achieve, however, without asking us the specific questions you’re curious about regarding your personal experience – is an expert response from a dental professional. For those occasional questions and curiosities about this tooth replacement option, we always encourage you to bring your questions directly to us, so we can ensure you receive the right answer. Consider some common questions and answers as a good example.

Question: How long will my dental implants last? Will I need to replace them often?

Answer: Your dental implants may last the rest of your life. While there is always a small chance of failure or damage, successfully placed implants should last for several years when provided excellent care.

Question: What can I do to prolong the life of my dental implants?

Answer: Take good care of your smile, of course. This is often the best pathway for any type of restoration or prosthetic. Fortunately, this is quite easy. You will need to continue brushing your teeth two times a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles – don’t over-scrub or purchase abrasive products. Make sure when you brush you do so twice a day for two-minute sessions. Flossing is essential once a day. As for your professional dental care, you will need to continue scheduling preventive care appointments for cleanings and checkups.

Question: How do you know my crown will look right once you restore my implant?

Answer: We create a strategic plan before your surgery to ensure you receive precise placement of your dental implant post. As a result, whether you receive one implant, multiple implants, or a full arch of implants, your smile will appear balanced and beautiful.

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).

All About Surgery Day: Your FAQs

Posted by

The day of your oral surgery is a wonderful day. You are ready to embark on a journey that will improve your oral health, so you can enjoy daily comfort, function, and often a smile that looks just as wonderful as it feels. However, we understand if you’re feeling some last minute jitters before your appointment. It’s a big – albeit highly beneficial – decision you have made to safeguard your oral health. To make sure you feel comfortable about your upcoming visit, we are happy to answer some common questions about what you can expect.

Surgery Day FAQs

Question: How will I know what to do before my surgery?

Answer: We will speak with you about what to expect and will provide you with instructions for pre-surgery preparation, so you won’t have to remember all of the details on your own.

Question: Will I need a ride home from my surgery?

Answer: Yes, you will most likely need a friend or loved one to drive you home after your oral surgery, whether you’re undergoing a treatment that requires general anesthesia or conscious sedation. Keep in mind that we offer a variety of amenities for the person who accompanies you to your visit (such as free WiFi and refreshments).

Question: What should I wear?

Answer: The best decision you can make is to show up in something that makes you feel comfortable. Don’t wear anything that bothers you, feels scratchy, or feels particularly restrictive. You should strive to feel relaxed.

Question: Can I eat a meal before my appointment?

Answer: If you are receiving general anesthesia for your oral surgery, we may instruct you to avoid eating and drinking for a particular amount of time before your surgery. In most instances, the cutoff time is midnight.

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).

Implant-Supported Dentures: True Or False Quiz

Posted by

Would you say you know a lot about implant-supported dentures and their benefits? Perhaps you’ve been wearing your full dentures for many years, wishing you could find a happy medium between your current prosthetics and implants. The good news is that implant dentures provide the best of both worlds, allowing new and continuing denture wearers to enjoy the advantages of both prosthetic solutions. Wondering how clear your knowledge is regarding implant support? Test yourself to find out.

Implant Dentures True or False Quiz

  1. True or False: Choosing to replace all of your teeth with individual dental implants (which we will restore with individual dental crowns) typically requires a similar investment. If you want full implant dentures, it’s simply a personal preference.
  2. True or False: You can receive an impressive improvement in stability by choosing to support your full dentures with dental implants rather than simply relying on the natural suction within your mouth.
  3. True or False: Choosing to use dental implants to support your dentures may help you prevent the deterioration of your jawbone, which is a serious concern for edentulous patients – or those missing all of their teeth.

Dental Quiz Answer Key

  1. False. Single implants to replace a full arch of teeth will require a greater investment than choosing multiple implants placed strategically to support a full denture. If you’re looking for a more affordable solution that includes implant support, consider implant dentures.
  2. True. Your mouth does create natural suction, which provides some level of stability. However, if you’re wearing a full denture that we have fit securely over your dental implants, then you can expect to experience little to no slippage or other issues that you may deal with when wearing traditionally supported dentures.
  3. True. Your roots keep your jawbone healthy, thanks to a stimulation process that occurs when you bite down. Missing all of your teeth and their roots renders this stimulation non-existent. Placing implants restores stimulation to an extent, so your jaw receives essential nutrients to remain full and strong.

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).

Improve Prosthetic Stability With Dental Implants

Posted by

Are you a long-time wearer of full or partial dentures? Perhaps you have been wearing a bridge for some time. Whatever the case, you may find that you do not achieve the stability you desire from your prosthetic. Granted, completing your smile with any dental prosthetic is always beneficial, providing you with an esthetically restored grin, the ability to speak and eat with ease, and improved self-esteem. However, if you deal with slippage or must limit your food choices, choosing to support your prosthetic with dental implants may offer you the solution you’ve been seeking. Not sure you qualify for implants? You have options.

Need Help Without Implants?

Have you been wearing the same partial denture for many years? Perhaps you received your prosthetic from another practice and it simply never felt comfortable. Whatever the case, an ill-fitting device may result in trouble with fit and stability. You may also find it quite uncomfortable. Visit us, so we may provide you with a new prosthetic or offer repairs to the one you currently wear.

Or, if your prosthetics are in excellent shape but you want a bit more support, it may be time to turn to adhesives. Fortunately, for patients who wear full or partial dentures, special adhesives may offer additional support – this is helpful if you are dissatisfied with the support created by natural suction in your mouth.

Choosing Dental Implant Support

Have you heard the term implant-retained dentures? Perhaps you know them as implant-supported dentures or implant dentures. Whatever you call them, you should know that you can often receive additional stability by choosing dental implants and prosthetics crafted to fit over the implant posts. This provides you with an exceptional level of stability, while allowing you to reap the many benefits of implants without a mouth full of them. Speak with us about your candidacy for dental implants, so we may determine the best course of action to complete your smile, while improving your daily function and experience.

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).

Post-Surgery Recovery: What To Expect

Posted by

We recognize that while many patients are aware of the significance associated with oral surgery, many worry about post-surgery recovery. Rather than allowing your concerns to get the best of you, we encourage you to become more familiar with what you can expect as you heal. Fortunately, the benefits of surgery far outweigh the potential mild inconvenience you may experience after your treatment. Even more wonderful is the fact that you can expect to head home fully informed and prepared to return to your usual daily life in no time.

First, You Will Receive Take-Home Literature

We understand that some patients worry they will not know what to do after surgery, particularly because they will leave their procedure while under sedation. Rest assured, you will not need to remember every detail about post-surgery recovery. Our practice will send you home with detailed instructions according to your particular treatment. Remember, however, that we are always happy to take your call if a question arises.

Expect New Sensations That Will Subside

True, recovery may mean a tiny bit of discomfort and some swollen tissue, but you do not need to sit in fear of anything serious. Your body is doing its best to heal quickly and effectively, so minor changes and unusual sensations are not at all uncommon. We will provide you with the means of achieving excellent comfort during your recovery period. Suggestions and options may include the following:

  • Information regarding how to rely on cold or warm compresses
  • A prescription for pain medication, so you can remain completely comfortable following your oral surgery

Some Rest And Temporary Changes Will Be Necessary

Surgery can take a bit of a toll on your body – fortunately, by following our instructions, you can enjoy successful post-surgery recovery. You may need to rest at home for a few days. In addition, we will let you know if you need to alter your usual daily dental habits or typical daily medications. Follow our lead and you will find yourself in excellent shape.

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).

More Questions About Dental Implant Candidacy

Posted by

While you may determine that dental implants seem like a wonderful fit for your missing teeth, candidacy requires a bit more than an enthusiastic desire (thought it’s a good start). When it comes to qualifying for implants, if you have a strong, healthy jaw and your mouth is in decent health, you are on the road toward shaping up as an excellent candidate. However, we often find that patients visit us with a variety of specific concerns that can be difficult to clear up on their own. Allow us to help you discover more about your candidacy with answers to some common questions.

Q&A: Dental Implant Candidacy

Question: Do I need to quit smoking? Will my smoking habit disqualify me for dental implants?

Answer: Not necessarily. It’s true that smoking and tobacco use in general may lead to oral and other health problems. Smoking is also often related to the incidence of dental implant failure. However, this is not an instant means of disqualification. Speak with us, so we can discuss the possibilities.

Question: What if I’m not in perfect health? Will you immediately turn me away for oral surgery and implant placement?

Answer: The goal is to ensure you can make it safely through a surgical procedure. If so, you are likely a good candidate for dental implants. Because each patient visits us with a unique set of circumstances, we will need to schedule a consultation with you to make a final determination.

Question: I’ve heard that implants have a 98 percent success rate – what are the chances that I make a good candidate for implants that will last?

Answer: If we determine that you make a good candidate for dental implants then the chances are immediately quite high that you will have a successful experience and that they will last. The main factor in long-term implant wear is good care. Schedule consistent cleanings and checkups and care for your smile for the best results.

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).