Archive for 2016

Can I Play Sports After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Although wisdom tooth extraction may be best left until the offseason, this option isn’t always practical. Patients who play amateur or professional sports frequently ask us how soon they can return to their normal athletic activities after an extraction. Although the procedure is fairly routine in most cases, proper care and rest are essential for […]

Periodontal Disease Among Top Athletes

Are top athletes at special risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay? While you might think that being hit in the mouth by a ball or being pushed to the ground might be the greatest risk for those who play sports, certain habits prevalent among athletes can lead to the development of problems, including periodontal […]

Should Wisdom Teeth Come Out Before Braces Go On?

Should having your child’s wisdom teeth removed be an important preparatory step before they get braces? Among some dentists, the thinking is that pulling wisdom teeth before adding braces will save later trauma and remove teeth that are likely to grow in crooked, crowd out other teeth in the mouth, and ultimately will require pulling. […]

Will Sleep Apnea Appliances Cause Dental Problems?

Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is a sleep disorder where your throat closes partly or completely, leads you to stop breathing, and interrupts your sleep, especially if you snore or choke to intake more air. Medical professionals treat the condition with a continuous positive airway pressure machine known as CPAP, or with dental appliances – […]

Dental Patients with HIV Need Frequent Care

For dental patients with HIV, obtaining regular care is crucial, yet is often neglected. Many Americans in society at large avoid checkups due to cost or because nothing is bothering them, but those with immune disorders such as AIDS or HIV are at risk for a variety of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections by neglecting […]

Implants Offer an Alternative to Dentures for Seniors

For senior dental patients, dental implants offer an exciting alternative to dentures. In the past, removable dentures were the obvious choice for those with missing teeth. Now, the image of grandma soaking her teeth in a glass by the bedside has gone the way of the age-old rocking chair, as modern seniors welcome options that […]

Maintaining Jawbone Health

Bone grafting can be a serious surgery, one not to be undertaken without serious consideration and preparation. Understanding jaw bone health can help you make smart choices, and avoid the need for bone graft surgery later in life. How do Teeth Impact Jawbone Health? The teeth and jawbone are a team. If one or more teeth […]

Rare — But Potentially Deadly — Oral Cancers

Even though oral cancers are rare, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and to remain diligent in performing self-checks. Make sure you know what to look for when checking for these rare types of oral pathology and cancer. What Is Oral Cancer? Oral cancer is defined as a malignancy of the mouth or […]

Wisdom Tooth Removal and Nerve Damage

You may have heard that wisdom tooth removal can cause nerve damage or other complications, but any associated risk is negligible. While damage to the nerve and other medical complications can occur in rare cases, most do not result in any serious issues. This routine dental procedure does have some risks, however. Damage to the […]

Common Dental Implant Questions

If you are considering getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you probably have many questions. This revolutionary procedure is ideal for so many of our patients, and it’s the one our office receives the most calls about…