Also called third molars, wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt, typically appearing in the late teens or early 20s. While some people experience no issues with their wisdom teeth, many require removal due to potential complications. Below are some common questions and answers about wisdom teeth:
Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed. If they aren’t causing problems, they can remain in place. However, many wisdom teeth become crooked or impacted, leading to issues with surrounding teeth. Additionally, they are often difficult to clean properly, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
When should I have these teeth taken out?
Most dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth between the ages of 16 and 22. At this stage, the roots are not fully developed, reducing the risk of complications during and after surgery.
Are there any risks?
As with any surgery, wisdom tooth extraction carries some risks. The primary concerns include:
- Nerve Damage: This is more common in older patients because the roots are fully developed and closer to the nerves.
- Dry Sockets: Occurring when blood clots dislodge after surgery, dry sockets can lead to pain and delayed healing.
Does my age matter?
Although symptoms may not appear until the 30s, 40s, or even 50s, surgery is generally easier and recovery is faster when performed at a younger age. Older patients often face more complex extractions and longer healing times.
If you’re experiencing discomfort or suspect an issue with your wisdom teeth, contact Longview dental office at Scott Distefano, DDS for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment options.
Dental Implants: Benefits and Risks in [Longview]
Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, offering numerous benefits for both function and appearance. However, like any surgical procedure, there are also some potential risks to consider. If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, here’s what you need to know:
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Appearance: Dental implants blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, providing a realistic and attractive smile.
- Comfort: Implants function just like your natural teeth, offering comfort and ease in daily activities such as eating and speaking.
- Support: Implants provide structural support to your jaw, preventing a “caved-in” appearance and preserving a youthful look.
- Sensitivity: Many patients report reduced tooth and gum sensitivity after receiving dental implants.
- Adjacent Teeth: Unlike dental bridges, implants do not affect or require alterations to neighboring teeth, preserving their health.
- Durability: Implants are a long-lasting solution, typically requiring only one surgery. Even if the crown needs replacing, it can be done without additional surgery.
- Speech: Implants restore your ability to speak clearly and naturally, unlike dentures that may shift.
- TMJ Health: Replacing missing teeth helps prevent jaw disorders such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
- Bone Loss Prevention: The titanium posts of implants fuse with your jawbone, preventing bone loss and gum recession over time.
Risks of Dental Implants
- Infection: Without proper oral hygiene, gum and tissue infections can occur. Following all recovery and care instructions is essential.
- Failed Integration: In some cases, the implant does not properly fuse with the jawbone, leading to discomfort or looseness. If this happens, the implant will need to be removed and replaced after the area has healed.
- Sinus Problems: If implants are placed in the back of the upper jaw, they may affect your sinuses, requiring additional surgery like sinus augmentation.
- Nerve or Tissue Damage: Though rare, implants can cause nerve or blood vessel damage, leading to pain, tingling, swelling, or numbness. This is typically avoidable with a skilled dentist or oral surgeon.
Choosing the Right Dental Implant Specialist
To minimize risks and ensure the best outcome, it’s crucial to choose an experienced and qualified dental implant dentist in [Longview]. A skilled professional will guide you through the process, ensuring a successful treatment and a beautiful, lasting result.
We offer dental implants for missing teeth at our Longview dental office.
Dental implants are the most advanced solution for replacing missing teeth, offering a stable foundation that mimics the function of a natural tooth root. Due to their exceptional qualities, dental implants are becoming increasingly popular as more people learn about their convenience and stability.
Typically made of porcelain or similar materials, dental implants are placed on top of a titanium screw that is embedded into the jawbone. Over time, this screw fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a base that is as stable as the roots of natural teeth.
Unlike dental bridges, which can become loose and trap food underneath, dental implants offer a solid foundation with no space underneath to collect food and cause discomfort or bacteria buildup.
Other tooth restorations often require special cleaning techniques, but dental implants are cared for just like natural teeth, through regular brushing and flossing. This makes them easy to maintain and worry-free for everyday oral care.
The health of your jawbone relies on the stimulation provided by natural tooth roots. Without this stimulation, the bone begins to shrink. Dental implants prevent this by acting as artificial roots, helping to maintain bone density and strength.
With these benefits and more, dental implants are quickly becoming the go-to solution for missing teeth. Consult your cosmetic dentist to find out why dental implants might be the ideal option for you.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Longview dental office to schedule your consultation!
Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to erupt into the mouth, generally emerging between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one. They are the third set of molars and are in pairs: two each on the top and bottom arch of teeth. While some patients don’t have wisdom teeth, most do. Many of those who do have them don’t have enough room for those teeth to erupt fully, causing them to be wedged under the back of another tooth, impacted in the gum.
Impacted wisdom teeth are very difficult to clean, and can negatively affect the surrounding teeth. They are highly vulnerable to disease and decay and may lead to tooth pain and damage to adjacent teeth. For these and other reasons, a dentist may recommend that the teeth be extracted through oral surgery as soon as necessary to prevent any problems.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is typically an outpatient procedure done in an oral surgeon’s office. A healthy patient can proceed with a typical surgery, but if any infection is detected, the surgery can’t move forward until the infection is cleared up through the use of a full course of antibiotics. Once the surgery is moving forward, the surgeon’s team will administer some form of anesthesia to numb the area surrounding the tooth or to possibly sedate the patient through IV sedation dentistry.
After the anesthesia has fully taken effect, the surgeon makes an incision to open the gum and to remove any bone that is blocking the tooth from extraction. The tissue connecting the bone to the tooth will be separated and the tooth will be removed. In some cases, the surgeon will have to break the tooth into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove. After thoroughly cleaning the area and removing any remaining debris, the incision will be closed, stitched and packed with sterile cotton gauze to staunch any bleeding.
The surgeon will provide aftercare instructions. Patients should follow these instructions to the letter in order to ensure the best and fastest healing of the surgical site.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Longview dental office to schedule your consultation!
Dental implants have been in use for more than sixty years, and over that time period, they have risen in popularity among cosmetic dentists as the top-of-the-line tooth restoration for patients with missing teeth.
Dental implants have two main components: a screw-like base and a fabricated tooth-like replacement that sits on top of the screw. Typically the screw is made from titanium and is extremely durable. The screw is surgically implanted directly into the patient’s jawbone, and over time, it fuses directly into the bone. This process is known as osseointegration and it’s the reason dental implants are so successful.
This bond with the bone allows the implant to serve as a complete replacement for the roots of a missing tooth. Dental implants can be used to anchor a single tooth, a dental bridge or even serve as one of several secure implant anchors for dentures.
The bones of the jaw thrive through the stimulation of a tooth’s natural roots. Remove the roots and the bone begins to shrink. This is the reason dentures seem to shift over time. The denture is the same shape; it’s the bones that are changing. Because dental implants mimic tooth roots in the bone, the bone remains stimulated, and continues to be healthy, providing support for surrounding tooth roots and the patient’s facial bones.
Dental implants have a very high success rate. They look very much like natural teeth. They are stable and secure and are considered by many cosmetic dentists to be the best choice for replacing one or more missing teeth.
If you are missing a tooth and you want the best restoration available, talk to the cosmetic dentist in Longview about dental implants. You might be surprised to learn about all the benefits dental implants can offer you to replace your missing tooth.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Longview dental office.
If you have lost a tooth due to injury, disease, or decay, you may be wondering what your options are for restoration. The best, long-term solution for restoring your single missing tooth is a dental implant fitted with a crown. A single tooth dental implant replaces both the natural tooth, as well as the tooth’s root.
A dental implant allows you to replace a missing tooth without altering the state of surrounding teeth. Common alternative treatments, such as the placement of a tooth-supported bridge, require neighboring teeth to be filed or cut down into peg shapes to support the appliance. Those compromised teeth are more susceptible to decay and bone loss. However, dental implants do not require such alterations, thus preserving the healthy teeth. The placement of an implant involves placing a small titanium post into the jawbone, which provides an anchor for the placement of the implant. This artificial “root” attaches to the bone and gums to become a base for a crown.
You may be tempted to avoid restoring one missing tooth; however, leaving it untreated can result in bone loss, altered chewing capability, and an overall unappealing appearance to your smile. For these reasons, it would be wise to consider an individual dental implant to replace your single missing tooth. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, single tooth implants can last as long as 25 years. Schedule a consultation with your dental professional to determine if you are a good candidate for a single tooth dental implant to replace your missing tooth and restore your healthy smile.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Longview dental office to schedule your consultation!
