Archive for October, 2016

Could Your Osteoporosis Medication Cause Jaw Damage?

Severe jaw damage has recently been linked to certain osteoporosis drugs, and oral surgery experts want to get the word out. If you regularly take a bisphosphonate medication, such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva or Reclast, you may face an increased risk for a serious condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw.  Bisphosphonates and Jaw Damage  […]

Wisdom Tooth Extraction: What You Need to Know

Millions of patients undergo wisdom tooth extraction every year. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons strongly urges young adults to have their third molars professionally evaluated, and removal is often recommended. Do you need your wisdom teeth? Why should you consider having yours removed? And what can you expect from the extraction process? […]

Your Dental Implant Surgery — Step by Step

For patients with missing teeth, dental implant surgery is often the preferable treatment option. Implants look, fit and feel just like your natural teeth, and with the proper care, they can last a lifetime. Are you considering getting dental implants? If so, you may feel more comfortable if you know what to expect. Step 1: […]

Prevent Facial Injuries with Sports Mouthguards

Serious facial injuries are common for athletes and sports enthusiasts of all ages. Fortunately, these potentially painful and complex injuries are easy to prevent. Several of the nation’s top dental associations — including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) — […]

Common Oral Health Problems for Older Adults

Oral health problems aren’t caused by aging, as many patients believe. In fact, the dental and oral health of older Americans has greatly improved over the last 50 years. More senior adults than ever are keeping their natural teeth. And this trend is expected to continue. Unfortunately, the cost of comprehensive dental care is out […]

Diabetics Face Potential Oral Health Complications

Today, we know how closely oral health relates to overall health and well-being. For diabetics, this correlation is especially important. Roughly 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, and they face an increased risk of oral health complications. Diabetics are more likely to develop gingivitis as well as periodontitis, the more severe form […]

Saving Baby Teeth for Future Dental or Medical Use

Should you save your child’s baby teeth? You’ve probably seen the articles online — the ones with screaming headlines like, “Don’t Let the Tooth Fairy Have Those Baby Teeth!” or “The Life-Saving Reason to Keep Your Child’s Primary Teeth!” What are they talking about? And should you listen to their advice? The Dental Pulp in […]

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are widely considered to be the gold standard method of tooth restoration. Most dental professionals sing the praises of dental implants, recommending them over dentures and bridges for the replacement of missing teeth. For many patients, however, implants are completely unfamiliar. Of course, the professional team at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah […]

What if Your Wisdom Teeth Never Erupt?

The wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically begin to develop in the preteen years and erupt sometime between the ages of 17 and 25. In fact, that’s how how these molars earned their nickname, as this is the time of life when young people are said to become wiser. But not everyone has all their […]

Oral Surgeons Promote National Dental Hygiene Month

Oral surgeons across the United States are encouraging their patients to mark National Dental Hygiene Month this October by examining their tooth care regimens to see if there’s any room for improvement. For many of us, October is the time to celebrate Halloween with candy and sweet treats. But fittingly enough, it’s also the time […]