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Copyright © 2018 Greenville Oral Surgery. All rights reserved.
A full mouth restoration offers patients who have experienced a variety of dental traumas. From those who grind their teeth (bruxism) to those who have had oral cancer to drug users looking for a fresh start, a full mouth restoration will improve both the aesthetics of your mouth and the function. This helps improve the quality of life and your overall confidence.
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No two full mouth restorations are alike. This procedure is completely customized to meet your needs and can rely on a wide variety of sub-procedures. Because the point of a full mouth restoration is to improve the health of your teeth, gums, and bite the procedures required to accomplish the end results can vary. Dental implants, dental crowns, dental bridges, veneers, fillings, and more can all be a part of the process.
Because a full mouth restoration is quite invasive, it’s important that whomever is considering the procedure be in good health. Being healthy will make healing and recovering easier, and will also help you get the best results possible.
The length of your full mouth restoration will depend on how many procedures are required to accomplish our goals. Generally, however, you can expect multiple visits over several months. This is because each procedure will require recovery time and healing. The benefit is that each procedure will help improve your quality of life and confidence. So each procedure is a step toward a better future.
Because the restoration occurs over several months, recovery usually occurs in steps. This allows your body to heal best, so it doesn’t go into shock and reject things like implants. Procedures like fillings require far less healing than something like a dental implant, which requires your bone to heal.
Guided implant surgery is a method that allows dentists to plan your implant surgery on a computer using Computerized Tomography (CT) as opposed to traditional panoramic x-rays that offer the dentist a limited approach during the planning and execution of the oral surgery. This technique ensures a more accurate process from plan to execution.
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Guided implant surgery uses CT imaging to diagnose you before the surgery and develop a treatment plan. Generally, you can expect to first have a cat scan, go through treatment planning with your dentist, and then go through the implant surgery.
There are a variety of benefits to guided implant surgery. This method of treatment is far less invasive. The time spent under anesthesia is usually much less than traditional dental implant surgery. Because this surgery is usually flapless, the recovery time is typically shorter. While traditional implant surgery requires extensive bone grafting, guided implant surgery helps minimize the amount of grafting needed.
The guided implant procedure works in three steps, after the initial visit and planning session. A surgical implant will be created to guide the dentist in the procedure. He/she will grind any rough edges down using a bur and disinfect it. Once this is done they will secure the surgical implant using a bite index and secure it using the anchor pin. Finally, they’ll remove the soft tissue using a tool called a tissue punch. The doctor will then begin drilling into the bone to prepare it for the implants and then place a provisional restoration that was created prior to the surgery.
The days and weeks following an oral surgery are an integral part of the recovery process. It is important to follow all of the surgeon’s instructions for care to promote healing and reduce the risk of post-surgical difficulties. Most patients experience a complication-free recovery and can return to work or school within one to two days following surgery.
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that discomfort following oral surgery is usually minimal? Though you may be given a prescription-strength pain reliever for the first day or two after surgery, most patients find that an over-the-counter ibuprofen is enough to relieve post-operative discomfort after the initial recovery period. Pain typically becomes less and less by the day, completely subsiding within one to two weeks.
A responsible driver will need to accompany you to your surgical appointment and drive you home after surgery. It is normal for the surgical site to bleed and swell during the first few hours after surgery. You may be instructed to bite down on gauze packs, changing them as needed. Get plenty of rest, do not drive, and be careful not to disturb the surgical area on the day of surgery. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for pain relief, and apply an ice pack to the cheek to reduce swelling. If possible, limit your foods to liquids and soft foods that require minimal chewing.
You can begin gently brushing your teeth on the day after surgery so long as you avoid the surgical area. You may gradually begin to incorporate solid foods into your diet, rinsing food from the mouth with an irrigating syringe after eating as instructed by your surgeon. Apply hot and cold compresses to the cheeks intermittently to reduce swelling, and continue to take pain medication only as needed.
After your oral surgery, we ask that you do not smoke for at least 48 hours. Doing so could cause clots to dislodge, resulting in a painful condition known as ‘dry socket’. You should also avoid using a straw. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions or concerns you may have about your personal healing process.
The first visit to our oral surgery office is your opportunity to become acquainted with our staff, services, and our office procedures. We utilize this time to listen to your concerns, confirm diagnosis, and inform you of your options for treatment. In most cases, the first visit is for consultation purposes only, and treatment will be scheduled for a later date and time.
Depending on the nature of your visit, we may require digital imaging scans or lab work to assist in our treatment planning process.
Did you know you may be able to reduce the amount of paperwork you have to complete in our office on your first visit? Medical history and consent forms can take several minutes to fill out, increasing the time spent in the waiting room. Instead of waiting until the day of your appointment, contact our office to find out how you can obtain this paperwork ahead of your visit.
When you are referred for treatment by a dentist or physician, we require a referral. This helps us better communicate with your provider and helps us ensure any treatment we provide does not interfere with a treatment plan in place by an existing provider. In some cases, referrals are also required for certain types of insurance policies.
Please arrive at your first visit with your medical or dental insurance card, driver’s license, and your referral slip. If possible, please also plan to bring any x-rays you may have pertaining to the reason for your visit or have your referring provider forward them to our office. If applicable, make a list of all medications you are taking and their dosage, and bring it with you to your first visit. Children under age 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all appointments.
We have a very helpful staff, including knowledgeable payment and insurance coordinators who are happy to work with you regarding your options for payment. In many cases, oral surgery and other maxillofacial procedures are covered under insurance benefits. We accept many forms of insurance and are happy to file claims on your behalf. We also accept many different forms of in-office payment, including cash, credit and payment from HSA and FSA accounts.
Many of the patients we treat come to us for the removal of multiple teeth – particularly if they are having wisdom teeth removed or preparing to get dental implants. Though this is very commonplace at our office, having several teeth removed at once is very different than having just one or two extracted. Patients should understand that multiple tooth extraction procedures are surgical in nature and will require a post-operative care and recovery period. We provide careful instructions to help minimize pain, reduce swelling and lower the risk of post-procedural complications.
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Did you know that smoking or drinking from a straw is one of the worst things you can do after having several teeth extracted? Following a tooth removal, blood clots around the extraction site, aiding in the healing process. The sucking motion required to use a straw or cigarette, however, can dislodge this clot, causing a very painful condition known as dry socket.
While it is normal to experience some pain after having multiple teeth removed, we do our best to help minimize discomfort in the hours and days following the procedure. This may include the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications. It is also important to take any antibiotics prescribed to you, as an infection can hinder the healing process and cause pain at the site of the extraction.
We will provide you with very specific instructions for maintaining your oral hygiene after your procedure. A clean mouth helps prevent infections and expedites the healing process. You may be able to brush any remaining teeth within 24 hours of surgery. However, it will be important to rinse the surgical site several times a day to keep it free of debris beginning the day after your extractions.
There are several circumstances that may be unique to certain patients following a multiple tooth extraction. For example, some people experience nausea and vomiting in reaction to medications administered during the procedure. It is also normal for some patients to experience a slightly elevated temperature and numbness of the lips, chin and tongue immediately following the procedure. These are not reasons for alarm; however you should contact our office if any of these symptoms persist the day after your surgery.
The temporomandibular joint is the area where the jaw meets the skull. As the jaw grows through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood, complications can occur within this small joint, leading to chronic pain and other issues that affect a person’s overall quality of life. By visiting an oral surgeon for TMJ disorders, patients can receive a proper diagnosis and discuss some of the many options for treatment.
Did you know that TMJ problems are often exacerbated by stress? It is not uncommon for people under chronic or significant stress to clench their teeth at night while sleeping, worsening pre-existing symptoms. By adopting stress-minimizing habits, it may be possible to reduce the severity of TMJ problems and prevent them from worsening.
Millions of people suffer from TMJ disorders though many go undiagnosed or otherwise untreated. However, we treat many TMJ patients at our office, using the full extent of our resources and experience to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorders.
TMJ disorders do not always cause pain? Instead, other problems may occur – some seemingly unrelated. Examples include shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, facial swelling, frequent earaches and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Sometimes the symptoms are more obviously related to TMJ, such as jaws that pop, click or become stuck in specific positions.
TMJ treatment is different for everyone depending on the severity of their symptoms. Options can range from pain management medications and muscle relaxants to joint injections and surgical interventions. However, only an oral surgeon can determine the most effective form of treatment for each patient. We recommend that anyone experiencing jaw problems, chronic pain or other symptoms of TMJ seek a professional consultation right away.
Many of the procedures performed by an oral surgeon are also offered at a local general dentist’s office. This leaves many patients to wonder which type of provider they should choose for their oral health treatment needs. It is important to recognize, however, that while both providers may be ‘qualified’ to treat a problem, oral surgeons have far more expertise and training in complex treatment protocols than dentists do.
Did you know…Did you know that there are far fewer oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the U.S. than general dentists? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 146,000 dentists practicing in 2012. Comparatively, there were only 5,120 oral and maxillofacial surgeons as of May 2014. |
Both oral surgeons and dentists attend the same four years of dental school, achieving either a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. However, oral and maxillofacial surgeons go through specialty training in an addition four-year surgical hospital residency program alongside medical professionals. They learn to diagnose, treat and manage dental and health issues pertaining to the mouth, face, jaws, and surrounding soft tissues.
While dentists can remove wisdom teeth, most of these procedures are not simple extractions. In fact, the majority of patients have impacted wisdom teeth or other issues that make the procedure far more complex. Oral surgeons are trained specifically in the treatment of complicated extractions and remove thousands of wisdom teeth during their residencies and every year thereafter.
Oral surgeons are thoroughly trained in both IV sedation and general anesthesia. It is a primary component of their surgical training and allows greater pain management options for complex procedures in their practice. Most general dentists, on the other hand, use only local anesthesia to perform extractions and do not provide IV sedation. Of the few who do offer IV sedation, most have only completed a brief weekend course to learn how to do so.
Oral pathology is the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in and around the mouth. It includes cancer growth along the tongue, cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums and the floor of the mouth.
When a biopsy confirms an oral cancer diagnosis, an oral surgeon will discuss treatment options and recommendations with the patient. In many cases, surgery may be necessary to remove affected tissues, reconstruct facial features, and restore function to the mouth.
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Did you know that early diagnosis of oral cancer can drastically improve long term prognosis and treatment outcomes? Since oral cancer causes little or no symptoms in its earliest stages, regular oral health exams play an important role in identifying signs of the disease as soon as possible. In addition, everyone – including those who have never smoked or abused alcohol – should conduct regular at-home self-exams for signs of lumps, lesions or white patches in the mouth between dental checkups.
More than 45,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year – many of them right here and the surrounding area. Historically, it has been most common in people over age 40, though people under age 40 represent the fastest growing population developing the disease.
Anyone can develop oral cancer. However, some people are at higher risk of developing the disease than others. For example, heavy drinking and tobacco use have been linked to the disease. Another culprit, the human papilloma virus (HPV), is increasingly responsible for oral cancers – especially in young individuals.
When oral surgeons are involved in pathological treatment, it usually means that a tumor or lesion needs to be removed, as well as any other tissues or lymph nodes that may be affected by a cancer. Oral surgery often removes much of the cancer, though additional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy may also be necessary depending on the stage of the disease.
Facial traumas are challenging injuries for patients to cope with, particularly because can directly affect a person’s appearance and ability to do otherwise routine activities, such as speak and eat. Anyone with a facial trauma needs the attention and care of a specialist who understands the delicate makeup of the facial bony structures and the soft tissues that surround it. An oral surgeon is uniquely qualified and trained to handle facial traumas of all types, whether caused by a vehicle accident, violence, a sports injury or some other source.
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Did you know that facial traumas can cause severe functional, structural and cosmetic damage to the face, jaw and teeth? Our office can treat nearly any trauma, ranging from repairs of small intraoral lacerations to complete facial reconstruction. Examples of commonly treated traumas include:
- Teeth that have been dislodged or knocked out
- Fractured cheeks, noses and eye sockets
- Fractured jaws
- Soft tissue injuries to the skin and gums
At our office, we believe that treating the injury is as important as preserving aesthetic results for our patients. We take special care to protect the salivary glands, nerves and any ducts involved in the treatment area while utilizing methods that minimize scarring after recovery.
Cracked, broken and dislodged teeth are very common injuries among people of all ages. With several years of dental training and years of experience under our belt, we can utilize the latest in restorative dental technology to completely repair your smile and return it to its pre-accident appearance. From jawbone reconstruction and bonding to emergency tooth preservation and dental implants, we have had great success in restoring the smiles of patients with tooth and jaw-related injuries.
If you or someone you know has suffered a facial trauma after an accident, seek emergency attention right away. While in the emergency room, request that your attending physicians have a [city] oral and maxillofacial surgeon see you for a consultation. Not only are oral surgeons the most qualified to handle facial traumas, but they may also pinpoint hidden or underlying injuries otherwise undetected by emergency room physicians.
Preparing for Intravenous anesthesia sedation is much like preparing for general anesthesia. There are some general prerequisites and instructions that patients must follow prior to IV sedation to ensure the safety of the procedure. It is important that all patients undergoing IV sedation thoroughly read and understand the directions we provide prior to the procedure and contact our office with any questions or concerns.
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Did you know that intravenous anesthesia sedation is a very safe and effective means of preventing pain and reducing patient anxiety during a surgical procedure? Furthermore, it can be administered from the comfort of an oral surgeon’s office, often preventing the need to be admitted to a hospital. Unlike most dentists, who use local anesthetics, an oral surgeon can quickly complete complex procedures while a patient is comfortably asleep.
In most cases, patients will not be allowed to eat or drink anything – including water – after midnight the night before the surgery. There are some slight exceptions for people who take regular medications, though even those will need to be taken with only a small sip of water as necessary.
No. We require that all patients undergoing IV sedation at our office arrive for their procedures with a responsible adult driver. It is not possible for you to safely drive after your procedure, nor should you drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after your procedure. It is normal to remain drowsy during this time as your body gradually eliminates the sedative agents used during the procedure.
We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing when you arrive at our office. Contacts, dentures, and detachable bridgework must be removed prior to surgery. Please also avoid wearing makeup, fingernail polish and jewelry the day of the procedure.
Copyright © 2018 Greenville Oral Surgery. All rights reserved.