Oakland Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center

Here are some quick & easy treats for our surgical patients to enjoy.  Best of all, your family and friends will enjoy them too!

QUICK STRAWBERRY WHIP

Ingredients –

16 oz. Thawed Cool Whip

6 oz. Strawberry Jello Box

22 oz. Small Curd Cottage Cheese

1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Sliced Strawberries

Instructions – Mix together the jello powder and cottage cheese.  Fold in cool whip.  Add strawberries.  Ready to serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.  Top with extra strawberries for garnish if desired.  This is delicious and no one will ever guess cottage cheese is one of the ingredients.

QUICK AND EASY NUTELLA MOUSSE

This 3-ingredient dessert will win you over immediately!

3 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream

1/3 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Nutella

CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computed Tomography.  It is a technology used to take three dimensional (3-D) images of your teeth, maxillary sinus, nerve pathways, and bone in the maxillofacial region with a single scan.  The CBCT system rotates around the patient in approximately 30 seconds, capturing data using a cone-shaped x-ray beam.

Dental cone beam computed tomography is used when regular two dimensional dental x-rays are not sufficient.  With CBCT, clinicians can get highly detailed 3-D views of the facial region with lower radiation exposure than a conventional CT scan. This may help with the diagnosis, treatment planning and evaluation of certain conditions.

Oral surgeons commonly utilize this technology to assess the following treatment options:

• Accurate placement of dental implants and tooth orientation
• Calculating the size and shape of dental ridge
• Assessment of the quantity and quality of bone
• Evaluation of nasal cavity
• Determining the need for a bone graft or sinus lift
• Surgical planning for impacted teeth
• Detecting inferior alveolar nerve position for removal of lower wisdom teeth
• Locating the origin of pain or pathology
• Detecting, measuring and treating jaw tumors
• Diagnosing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Cleft palate assessment
• Orthognathic surgery planning

Tooth sensitivity is a very common problem.  During winter months as the temperatures drop and we are breathing in cold air, it may become even more noticeable.  Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel that protects our teeth gets thinner, becomes decayed, or when gum recession occurs, exposing the underlying root surface, called cementum.

Common Causes of Cold Sensitive Teeth

• Most cold sensitivity occurs at the gum line from toothbrush abrasion
• Dental caries
• Acid erosion (weakening of tooth enamel) can occur as a result of consuming acidic foods such as; citrus fruits, tomatoes, orange juice, wine, soda drinks- including diet soda, sports drinks, sparkling water with lemon, iced tea, etc.
• Inflammation of gum tissues surrounding teeth can loosen ligament support, which exposes the root surface
• Use of whitening gels
• Grinding or clinching teeth at night
• Orthodontic treatment

The first step in treatment should begin with a visit to your dentist.  They will evaluate your condition and recommend treatment options that are right for you.  While your body cannot replace its lost enamel, there are many over-the-counter choices that can help reduce sensitivity.

• Establish a good at home care regimen that includes proper tooth brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush for two minutes, twice a day.
• Begin using a toothpaste with fluoride formulated for sensitive teeth.
• Flossing at least once a day can remove plaque buildup and using a fluoride mouthwash rinse may help alleviate sensitivity.
• Limit erosive foods and drinks as much as possible. Use a straw  to void direct contact with teeth.
• Incorporate dairy products into your diet. Milk, cheese and yogurt contain caseins which help provide a protective protein layer that can buffer against acids throughout the day.
• Drink tap water, fluoride is added to our water to help reduce tooth decay.

Just a few steps taken daily can help diminish cold sensitivity and have a positive effect on your oral health.

“Yikes, I just broke my tooth and my dentist says it can’t be repaired. What do I do?”

It’s always an emotional experience to lose a tooth.   As a patient, it can be a difficult and confusing time to try to understand what to do next.  When considering how to replace a missing tooth, there are basically three options.

A partial denture: This removable appliance is the least sophisticated of the three options.  A partial denture is supported by the residual natural dentition and is clipped in and out of the mouth.  It should be removed before going to bed, placed in a hydrating solution overnight and then cleaned in the morning before placing it back into the mouth.  Most people find this to be inconvenient and a lot of hardware for replacing one or two teeth. There is also a stigma associated with wearing a removable partial denture.

A fixed bridge: A fixed bridge is permanently cemented to the adjacent teeth. This is an improvement over the partial denture since it does not have to be removed from the mouth at night. However, the adjacent teeth have to be cut down in size so that the supporting crowns for the replacement tooth can be of the same proportion. The replacement tooth (called a pontic) is soldered to the adjacent crowns and rests on top of the gum tissue, filling the empty space. These solder joints present a hygiene problem since you cannot floss these areas.  Special aids have to be used for proper hygiene around the pontic of the bridge.  Additionally, this restoration creates a situation where the two adjacent teeth are now supporting the chewing power of three teeth.

A dental implant:  A dental implant which is a titanium anchor surgically placed in the jaw where the tooth is missing. Once healed and integrated into the surrounding bone, a crown can be attached to complete the restoration.  The surgery, which can be performed in the oral surgeon’s office with either local or general anesthesia, is surprisingly simple and causes only mild post-operative symptoms. This is the preferred restorative method for the following reasons:

• Dental implants are permanent and do not have to be removed.
• Adjacent teeth do not have to be altered in size or manipulated in any way.
• Each tooth carries its own load, eliminating stress to adjacent teeth.
• Dental implants essentially replace the root of a missing tooth, which prevents bone resorption that is normally associated with tooth loss.
• Dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth.
• Caring for dental implants is just like caring for natural teeth; you may brush and floss as normal.
• Because of improved hygiene and bio-mechanical loading an implant should outlast a bridge.

Therefore, if you are missing one or several teeth, a dental implant is the superior restorative choice.  However, not everyone is a candidate for dental implants.  You should consult with your general dentist or oral surgeon to see what option is best for you.

At some point you may have noticed some dentists have the title of DDS, while others have DMD after their name.  The important thing to know is that both titles mean the doctor has graduated from an accredited dental school.

DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine

They are the same degrees.  However, different schools award different degrees.

History shows that in 1840 the world’s first dental school was established in Baltimore, Maryland.  It was called Baltimore College of Dental Surgery.  Since then, it has merged and become the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.  Their graduates were awarded a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.  This is where “DDS” originated.

Twenty-seven years later in 1867, Harvard University opened its dental school.  It was the first dental school to be affiliated with a major university.  Harvard granted their degrees in Latin.  The translation of Doctor of Dental Surgery into Latin was “Chirurgae Dentium Doctoris.”  Harvard officials did not like the translation.  They consulted with a Latin scholar and decided on “Dentariae Medicinae Doctorae” which means Doctor of Dental Medicine or abbreviated as DMD.

As time went on, more universities followed Harvard’s approach, while others continued awarding the DDS degree.  Despite the difference in names, the level of education and clinical training are the same.

Knowing what to expect after oral surgery can help guide you towards a speedy recovery.  With any type of surgery, proper post-operative care is very important.  To help minimize unnecessary pain and complications, here are some important tips to follow.

1. Pain – Discomfort following oral surgery usually begins as the local anesthetic wears off. Take the prescribed pain medication as ordered at this time.
2. Bleeding – Slight bleeding, oozing or redness in the saliva is normal and not uncommon following oral surgery. Bite down on MOIST GAUZE packs with steady firm pressure for approximately 30 minutes.  You may also bite down on moist tea bags to control bleeding.  Tea contains tannins, which is an astringent that can help form a clot by shrinking blood vessels.
3. Rest – Rest during the first 24 hours after oral surgery will help minimize pain, swelling and bleeding. We typically recommend avoiding strenuous activity at work or play for at least 1 week.
4. Ice, Ice Baby – Swelling is normal after surgery. Apply ice packs during the first 24 to 72 hours.  Apply to the affected areas, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to minimize swelling.
5. Eat Soft Foods – Avoid foods that are crunchy, tough to chew, or hot and spicy for the first 24-72 hours. Opt for soups, mashed potatoes and gravy, polenta, macaroni & cheese, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies.  Regulate your food intake by the comfort of chewing.  Ice cream is highly recommended, so stock up!  It will help soothe your mouth and help minimize swelling.
6. Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids. We recommend drinking lots of water, Gatorade and nutritional drinks.
7. Avoid Straws – The suction can increase the risk of excessive bleeding by dislodging blood clots. This can increase chances of developing a dry socket.
8. Avoid Smoking – Tobacco use decreases the healing potential of wounds. The suction can also disturb the clot formation.  Refrain from smoking for at least the first 24 hours, preferably for several days to a week after your procedure.
9. Brushing – After the first 24 hours, gentle brushing is recommended. However, you must take extra precaution near the surgical site not to irritate the wound.
10. Salt Water Rinse – After the first 24 hours, gently rinse with a salt-water solution several times per day. The salt water helps aide in the healing of tissues and minimize the risk of infection.

Dental implants are the new standard of care for tooth replacement.  Essentially, a dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth.  A dental implant is a titanium screw that is surgically positioned into the jawbone, beneath your gum tissue.  Because these implants fuse to your bone, they provide a strong and stable foundation for long-term support of replacement teeth.

If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported teeth, you will find they have the same basic parts.

Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food) and both have a “root” that is anchored into the jaw.

From the time you were born to adolescence, teeth are forming and erupt in stages.  People develop two sets of teeth during their life; a set of primary or “baby” teeth and permanent or “adult” teeth.  Permanent teeth typically begin to erupt between the ages of 6 and 12.  The last of the permanent teeth to appear are the third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth.  While their formation can begin as early as eight years of age, their development is usually completed between the ages of 16 and 21.  This is a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom, also known as the “age of wisdom.”

Most people usually develop four wisdom teeth that are located in the back of your mouth on both sides of the upper and lower jaw.  It is not uncommon for some people to get less than four wisdom teeth, and some to actually get more.  On rare occasions, some people are lucky to never develop any wisdom teeth at all.  How they emerge can differ between individuals.  If sufficient room is present and no obstacles block these teeth, they may erupt.  Most often the jaw is too small to accommodate the eruption of wisdom teeth.  When inadequate space prevents the teeth from fully erupting into proper position, it will usually result in the recommendation of their removal.

We recommend a consultation and panoramic x-ray during the teenage years to determine any present or potential problems.  The younger the patient, the softer the jaw bone, making their removal easier than in older patients.  A number of possible problems can occur by ignoring your wisdom teeth including; pain and discomfort, gum inflammation, infection, cyst formation, possible crowding or damage to adjacent teeth.  Early intervention before the onset of symptoms and complete root development is recommended to reduce the potential for problems and surgical risks.

So, what are wisdom teeth?  They have nothing to do with you growing wiser – just an indication you are growing up.

We are excited to be your dental insider to the latest in oral surgery news and the world of dentistry.  Our blog will be filled with answers to your most asked questions, latest advances in technology, case presentations and video, cosmetic facial aesthetics, soft food recipes for our surgical patients, plus helpful facts that can impact your general health and wellness, nutrition and more.

As your dental health specialist, we are committed to continual education and learning.  Our team attends dental lectures, meetings, conventions and participates in specialty courses to stay informed of the most current techniques and resources available.  This forum will provide a glimpse of what we do on a daily basis and also the opportunity to share some of our personal areas of interest.  This is our way for you to get to know us better.  Let’s get social!