Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Your wisdom teeth are part of your oral construction, but they can be very troublesome as well. In fact, around 10 million wisdom teeth are taken out of around 5 million people in the United States every single year.

Oral surgery is a common procedure used in wisdom teeth removal. While you are debating on whether to get these offending teeth removed or not, consider this: it can actually be more detrimental to your oral health to keep your teeth than it would be to have them taken out. Why remove your wisdom teeth? What are the risks in not having them taken out?

Speak to your dental clinic specialist about whether you should have your wisdom teeth taken out or not. Getting tooth extraction work done can be a beneficial way to preserve your oral health in many ways. Oral surgery: is it for you? Use this guide to assist you when you think about getting your wisdom teeth taken out.

Removal Can Be Less Costly Than Repair

Keeping wisdom teeth that are crowding out your other teeth, making it painful to chew or swallow your food, or that otherwise cause you issues can be more detrimental to your oral health than having them pulled. It’s often cheaper in the long run to have your wisdom teeth taken out than it is to keep them.

Speak to your oral surgeon about getting your tooth extraction done. When you realize that keeping your wisdom teeth is worse than having them taken out, you will come to make the right financial decision.

Removal Is Safer Than Keeping Your Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth can cause your mouth to become sore and may even cause remaining teeth to become crooked. If you keep your wisdom teeth rather than have them taken out via oral surgery, you put your oral health at risk.

While you may not have to have all of your wisdom teeth taken out, the ones that are impacted or causing you great tooth pain should be removed right away. Your dentist may have to give you an antibiotic in addition to removing your teeth, but your best option is often to have your wisdom teeth removed entirely to help you keep your oral health in check.

Whether you want to take better care of your teeth or you want to alleviate some dental pain, having your wisdom teeth looked at by your oral surgeon and having them removed via oral surgery can be a great option. Your oral surgeon will help you make the best decision regarding your teeth.

If you have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder and have not responded to conservative TMJ treatment options, you may have to see an oral surgeon for jaw surgery. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder can be a painful condition that requires jaw surgery to repair.

Typically jaw surgery is the permanent solution to the problem, but other less invasive methods may be used first. A good oral surgeon can help you to find the relief that you need with jaw surgery.

What is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder or TMJ syndrome is caused by injury or malfunction of the TMJ joint. This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull. In some cases, trauma is the culprit, in other cases, it is a malformation of the joint.

There is a wide range of issues that can contribute to TMJ pain syndrome. Gum chewing, poor posture, misalignment of the jaw, injury to the teeth, teeth grinding, teeth clenching, and misalignment of the teeth can all be contributors to the problem.

In some cases like where teeth grinding is causing the problem something as simple as a mouthguard can help, in other cases like jaw misalignment, the intervention has to be a bit more aggressive to treat this painful condition.

This is a common condition that affects about 35 million people in the United States. There is help available.

TMJ Treatments

If you notice clicking in your jaw when you speak or chew, you suffer from pain in the jaw, headaches, and limited range of motion in the jaw, you may have TMJ disorder. There are a few treatment options that can help to relieve the pain and improve the condition.

Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can be prescribed. Mouthguards and splints may be used. Physical therapy can also be used as a treatment intervention. Unfortunately, in many cases, all of the less invasive methods do not improve the condition enough.

Jaw surgery can be the right treatment option. Jaw surgery options include:

• Arthroscopy for TMJ. Arthroscopic TMJ jaw surgery can be a very effective treatment option for TMJ disorder. A tube is surgically implanted in the joint. Arthroscopic surgery uses very small instruments which means much shorter recovery time. It offers less risk than traditional open jaw surgery.
• Condylotomy. Modified condylotomy is a jaw surgery for the mandible. It does affect the joint itself but can be a good treatment when locking is occurring. Your oral surgeon can explain this option.
• OJS. Open joint jaw surgery repairs mechanical issues with the joint. Your oral surgeon will discuss the risks and potential outcomes of this surgery with you.

As with any type of surgery, there are risks. An experienced oral surgeon that has performed these types of surgeries before is the best option if you have tried all the TMJ treatments and none of them have worked.

When you have tooth pain, it can be hard to think of anything else other than the excruciating discomfort. Your wisdom teeth may be to blame for much of your oral health concerns. Fortunately, these problems can be dealt with as an outpatient procedure by your dentist. In fact, about 5 million of these procedures are performed a year throughout the United States.

While not every person needs to have their wisdom teeth taken out, it’s often the best option for oral health. Your oral surgeon will help you feel better by taking your wisdom teeth out. Here are reasons to have this procedure done.

You Create More Room in Your Mouth

When you have an appointment at a dental clinic to have your wisdom teeth taken out, you do your part to make sure your tooth pain is well taken care of. When your larger adult teeth are taken out, this creates more room in your mouth — eliminating crowding and making your teeth more comfortable in general.

You may not have to have all your wisdom teeth taken out by your oral surgeon, but it may be recommended to have all four of them taken out. When you have your wisdom teeth removed by a professional, your tooth pain may be alleviated.

You Reduce Gum and Tooth Pressure

Your tooth pain can be reduced by getting rid of your wisdom teeth, particularly if you have your wisdom teeth removal done before the teeth have fully erupted. The constant up and down motion of teeth that are slowly erupting can be disruptive to your mouth and cause problems, so you want to have your teeth and gums protected by removing these teeth before they come all the way in.

You Keep Infections at Bay

Your wisdom teeth can cause your teeth to feel sore and become subsequently infected because bacteria can find their way in. Your oral surgeon will do what they can to remove the offending teeth so you can feel better and keep infection at bay. You may have to have antibiotics in addition to having your wisdom teeth removed to fully remove tooth pain and any other annoying pain caused by your dental woes.

To have your wisdom teeth removed, make an appointment with an oral surgeon. Your oral surgeon will be able to give you an exam to see if your teeth should be taken out or if you should wait and see what other things can be done to relieve your oral tooth pain.

It may be time to have your wisdom teeth removed if you’re between the ages of 17 and 25. These teeth are your third and final set of molars, and sometimes they can become impacted and painful.

The good news is that having your third molars removed is a common procedure and you’ll benefit greatly from their removal in the long run. While you’re looking into having your oral surgery, here are a few important things to know.

Having your wisdom teeth removed improves your oral health

It can be difficult to clean behind your second set of molars when your third molars are trying to make their way through your gums. Because of this, your wisdom teeth can lead to infections, cysts, overcrowding, gum disease, and other issues.

The earlier you have your third molars removed, the less likely you’ll have to worry about these issues. Wisdom tooth extraction can help to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and dental pain.

You won’t feel pain during the procedure

Wisdom tooth extraction can sound scary, but you won’t experience any pain during the procedure. Your oral surgeon will put you under IV sedation as well as use an anesthetic to numb your mouth before extracting the teeth, which makes the procedure completely painless.

During your recovery period, you may experience some discomfort. But this discomfort can be easily treated using over-the-counter pain medication. Just be sure to follow your aftercare instructions closely to prevent infection.

You’re not the only one having your third molars removed

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure because third molars often grow in at an angle. This causes many problems for the surrounding teeth and can even cause jaw pain that radiates up the side of the face.

That said, while you’re considering your wisdom tooth procedure, know that you’re not alone. Millions of people, many of them in their teens and early 20s, have their wisdom teeth removed every year.

Are you suffering from impacted wisdom teeth?

If you’re in need of wisdom teeth removal, you’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Public Health Association, up to 10 million wisdom teeth are extracted from 5 million people every year in the United States.

Whether you need a tooth extraction or TMJ treatment, the professional and experienced dentists of East Mississippi Oral & Facial Surgery have you covered. To make an appointment, contact East Mississippi Oral & Facial Surgery today.

For a lot of people of all ages, visiting the dentist is scary, stressful, and overwhelming. It’s a shame because regular dentist visits are an important part of maintaining not only dental health, but overall health. But just because the dentist can be scary does not mean it has to be. Thanks to advances in medical knowledge, the importance of regular dentist visits are becoming more and more well known. For many reasons that we will discuss below in our simple guide, it’s a good idea to keep a regular schedule for your dentist visits. Don’t just go when you’re experiencing tooth pain or need a dental implant. Many tooth problems can be avoided before they become bigger problems. By visiting the dentist on a regular basis, you’re doing a huge favor for your teeth and for your overall health.

First and foremost, it helps to know that dentists can help you improve your smile through regular cleanings alone. If you have apprehensions about seeing a dentist, it may give you some peace of mind to know that most visits are quite simple and harmless. A typical dentist visit begins with an assessment of your teeth and gums by a professional. They will then clean your teeth. This process involves special, precise tools that are designed to remove harmful plaque that builds up on your teeth. In addition to providing teeth whitening, removing plaque is an important part of preventing more complex dental problems, such as cavities, infections, and gum disease. The more severe a tooth problem, the more involved the solution. Regular dentist visits can help you avoid needing a dental implant and tooth extraction. So, in this way, regular teeth cleanings can save you lots of time and hassles down the road. Often times preventative measures are the best steps you can take for the health of you and your loved ones.

It’s a good idea to educate yourself on some of the more common dental health conditions that afflict the population. Of course, if you maintain regular dental visits, you are far less likely to have to deal with them, but it’s good to be aware. Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder, also known as TMJD is more prevalent among younger individuals. The prevalence of TMJD is somewhere between 5% and 12% of the population. Dentists are trained to detect the early warning signs of TMJD, as well as propose solutions that can lead to sustainable care and a lessening of symptoms. Depending on the nature and severity of the case, a dentist may suggest a dental implant, or other strategies, to help restore health and prevent further damage. As long as you maintain regular dentist visits, you can stay ahead of any potential issues such as TMJD.

Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common dental procedures. Though it may sound scary at first, it is a routine surgery. Some people go their entire lives without ever having to remove their wisdom teeth. However, wisdom teeth can cause problems when they grow in at odd angles, thus forcing the teeth around them to move. This is what leads to pain in many younger people. If you do need wisdom teeth removal, you can rest assured in knowing that is a very common surgery, and the recovery time is not severe. Of course, your dentist will be able to advise you on your wisdom teeth as you continue to visit them for your regular check-ups.

How do you know if you need a dental implant? There are a number of reasons for a dental implant. If you have a cavity that leads to tooth damage or tooth loss, then a dental implant is a reliable, sustainable option. Certain forms of gum disease may also require a dental implant. Whatever the cause, it’s reassuring to know that implants are a great way to replace bad teeth. Not only do they last long, but they also restore you with an improved ability to chew and eat.

These are the many benefits of visiting a dentist. If you are looking for the oral surgeon you can trust , contact East Mississippi Oral & Facial Surgery today.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is what connects your jawbone to the rest of your skull and serves as a sliding hinge for your mouth to open and close. You have one TMJ on either side of your jaw.

Unfortunately, some people suffer from TMJ disorders. These disorders can cause pain in the jaw and facial muscles and it can be difficult to control the movement of your jaw. But what causes TMJ disorders and what types of treatment are available?

What causes TMJ disorders?

Not every TMJ disorder has the same cause. Some disorders are caused by arthritis while others are genetic. You might also suffer from a TMJ disorder if you’ve experienced a jaw injury.

TMJ disorders can also be caused by clenching or grinding the teeth. However, this isn’t always the case and many people who clench their jaws don’t suffer from TMJ disorders.

How is a TMJ disorder diagnosed?

It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent tenderness or pain in your jaw or if you have a difficult time opening or closing your mouth completely.

Your doctor or dentist will physically examine your mouth and jaw. If your dentist suspects an issue, you might receive dental x-rays to examine the area, a CT scan to get detailed images of the bones surrounding the TMJ, and/or an MRI to determine any issues with the TMJ disk or surrounding tissue.

In some cases, a TMJ arthroscopy may be necessary to diagnose a TMJ disorder. During this procedure, your doctor or oral surgeon inserts a very small tube into the joint space and a small camera is used to view the area.

What kind of TMJ treatments are there?

Some TMJ disorders are able to go away on their own without treatment. But you may need pain medication or muscle relaxants depending on the severity of your disorder.

Certain therapies and oral surgeries may also be recommended if your TMJ disorder is severe or impacts your everyday activities.

Looking for a professional oral surgeon for TMJ treatment?

If you have a TMJ disorder, you’re not alone. In fact, approximately 35 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a type of TMJ disorder.

The good news is, you can receive TMJ treatments at East Mississippi Oral and Facial Surgery to reduce your pain and to help you open and close your jaw completely. For more information about TMJ or to learn about our other services including wisdom teeth removal and dental implants, contact East Mississippi Oral and Facial Surgery today.

Every year, many Americans make an appointment with an oral surgeon to have their wisdom teeth removed. Although it’s a normal procedure that doesn’t take long, there are many misconceptions that can keep someone from visiting an oral surgeon when they need to.

To help you feel more comfortable making your own wisdom teeth removal consultation, here are some common myths about wisdom teeth removal that just aren’t true.

1. Wisdom teeth removal is painful. There are two options for you when you have your wisdom teeth removed: laughing gas and anesthesia. If you choose to have laughing gas, you’re also provided with novacaine that numbs your jaw, gums, and face. You don’t feel any pain during the surgery. After the surgery, you may experience some swelling and discomfort. However, you should not feel extreme pain. If you do, talk to your oral surgeon.
2. You may need braces because of your wisdom teeth. In some cases, wisdom teeth can cause impacting and crowding with your other teeth. However, your wisdom teeth won’t require orthodontic treatment. Some patients may not even need their wisdom teeth removed because they grow into the proper position and are healthy teeth.
3. Everyone has wisdom teeth. Millions of people have wisdom teeth and may need to have them removed if they become impacted. But not everyone actually has wisdom teeth. Some people may have wisdom teeth that never erupt past the gums while others may not have them at all.
4. Dentists can tell when your wisdom teeth need to be removed. Dentists can use x-rays and routine check-ups to keep an eye on your wisdom teeth. But it’s not possible to predict when your wisdom teeth will erupt or how they’ll erupt. Your dentist will let you know when your wisdom teeth have become impacted because this will show on the x-rays.

Need more information about wisdom teeth removal?

If you’re experiencing tooth pain and you need your wisdom teeth removed, you’re not alone. Wisdom tooth removal is a common surgery that’s performed on 5 million Americans every year.

East Mississippi Oral and Facial Surgery provides a wide array of dental services including wisdom teeth removal, tooth extractions, TMJ treatments, and dental implants. To learn more about wisdom teeth removal and other services for caring for tooth pain, contact East Mississippi Oral and Facial Surgery today.

Every year, there are about 10 million wisdom teeth taken out of five million mouths in the United States, according to the American Public Health Association (APHA). There are a variety of reasons dentists recommend their patients undergo the wisdom teeth removal procedure. They include infection, tooth crowding, disease, and cavities.

Often the wisdom teeth removal surgery is done by an oral surgeon. While tooth extractions are routine and are known to alleviate tooth pain, it is not abnormal to experience some swelling, pain, and discomfort. The good news is that there are lots of options to keep people from experiencing too much pain and discomfort and pain during and after the procedure. Here are some things you can do to have a better experience.

1. Get yourself ready before you have the work done. Get in and talk to the dentist or oral surgeon and ask them all the questions that you can think of. This will help you get a better idea of what you can expect during and after your wisdom teeth removal surgery. Most dental professionals will give their patients a list of things they should do before and after the procedure is done. It is crucial that you read over the list and talk to the dental office. If you do not understand something, ask them about it.
2. Stock your kitchen. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about foods and drinks that are good after wisdom teeth are removed. Many people stock up on soups, ice cream, and other softer item. Getting the right things before you go in for surgery will make the process easier.
3. Get the timing right. While a wisdom tooth extraction is a routine surgery it is still a surgery. You should make sure you have time to let your body heal afterward. You will need to have a friend or family member come with you to your appointment and get you home safe and sound after your procedure is complete. Some people make plans to have someone stay with them after the operation.
4. Be careful with what you eat and drink after your procedure. Most dental experts recommend people start off with liquids right after the surgery. As time passes, people graduate to soft foods. After a few days, it is often possible to move on to more solid foods. You will want to skip eating very spicy foods or anything that is too hot. Also, you should avoid straws and smoking as either can lead to “dry sockets.”
5. Make sure you rest up. Again, the wisdom teeth removal procedure is surgery and your body need rest to heal. Many people want to get back to their regular routines as soon as humanly possible. The problem with that is it can mean the actual healing process is delayed. Exercising too soon after surgery can cause more swelling and bleeding. It is better to spend a few days resting and relaxing. Prop your head on a pillow and just give your body and yourself a break.
6. Open and close your mouth. You need to work through the stiffness if you feel any. To do anything else may cause bigger problems. Start slowly but be persistent with this.
7. Take the time to rinse your mouth. You may get a special rinse from your dentist or oral surgeon or you may be advised to use saltwater. Either way, rinsing with one of these can help with the healing process if you are able to do this a few times throughout the day. This should be done after eating. You will experience less pain and swelling if you do this.
8. Tea bags and gauze can help with bleeding. It is normal to bleed after this surgery but it is always better to bleed less than more.
9. Follow the instructions you are given by your dental professional. They have made up a plan that is specific to your health and will help your recovery period. They know what they are talking about and their instructions should always be adhered to.

It is possible to have a good experience after a wisdom teeth removal operation. These nine tips can really help with the healing process.

Going to the dentist or oral surgeon may be scary, but could alleviate symptoms suffered by many people. Jaw surgery may be an option to treat some conditions and symptoms that are caused by improper alignment of the jaw, such as a misaligned bite, speech problems, protruding jaw or weak chin, and difficulty breathing. Here are three little known facts about jaw surgery:

TMJ Disorder Is Usually Not Treated With Jaw Surgery

The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) connects the jawbone to the skull. In the United States, approximately 35 million people have been diagnosed with a TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is the name for a collection of conditions that cause jaw pain and dysfunction of the jaw joint. TMJ disorder includes pain and discomfort in the muscles that control the jaw, physical dysfunction of the jaw joint, and inflammation or degeneration of the jaw joint.

There is no single cause of TMJ disorder. Some cases are caused by trauma to the face, jaw, or head or repetitive stress, like grinding or clenching the teeth. Other causes might include arthritis or genetics. Some cases have no apparent cause.

Jaw surgery is usually reserved for only the most severe cases of TMJ disorder. Most cases of TMJ disorder are treated with rest, pain medication, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Not All Jaw Pain is Caused by TMJ Disorder

While TMJ disorder causes jaw pain and discomfort, jaw pain may also have other causes, such as sinus infection, tooth pain, misaligned jaw, birth defect, or periodontal disease. A dentist can determine whether jaw pain is caused by TMJ disorder or by something else.

Jaw Surgery May Be Used to Treat Some of These Other Conditions

While orthodontics can re-position teeth, jaw surgery can be used when the jaw itself needs re-positioning. Jaw surgery can address jaw pain as well as correct facial appearance, bite problems, breathing problems, and speech problems.

Because the jaws grow at different rates throughout adolescence, jaw surgery is usually delayed until after growth ends. For females, this means jaw surgery is delayed until after the patient is 14 to 16 years old; for males, this means jaw surgery is delayed until after the patient is 17 to 21 years old.

Conclusion

TMJ disorders are usually treatable without jaw surgery. However, jaw surgery may be an option for correcting facial appearance as well as problems with bite, breathing, and speech.

While you are at your check-up, the dentist informs you that you need a procedure. Whether it is a dental implant procedure, an oral bone graft or a surgical tooth extraction, this is not the news you really wanted to hear. 

What do you do next? The first thing you need to do is find an experienced oral surgeon. Knowing some facts that might help you relax and reduce any anxiety you may be feeling. Here are four good reasons for having oral surgery, including a few types of oral surgery procedures such as surgical tooth extraction, dental implants and wisdom tooth surgery.

1. Oral Surgery For Aesthetic Reasons

If you are anxious or hesitant about visiting the dentist, but you don’t like the way your teeth look, you are not alone. In fact, many adults deliberately do not smile for this very reason. A visit to an oral surgeon who specializes in implants can help you with this. Caps, crowns, and dental implants can make your smile more beautiful than ever. 

2. Oral Surgery To Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

It seems to be the most predominant rite of passage into adulthood for Americans: wisdom tooth removal. In fact, annually in the U.S., surgical tooth extractions of wisdom teeth is done to approximately 5 million people. The procedure is done every year on an outpatient basis. Beyond a rite of passage, wisdom tooth removal is one step in a lifelong process of taking good care of one’s oral health.

3. Oral Surgery To Make You Smile

Are you missing a tooth? Or teeth in one or both of your jaws? Well, if so, you are not alone. There are reportedly over 35 million Americans with this problem. But there is no need to keep your hand over your mouth for the rest of your life. A dentist can fill that gap with a crown or bridge replacement. Your smile will come to life!

4. Oral Surgery To Maintain Gum and Bone Health

There must be something special about dental implants: 3 million people already have a tooth implant today. And the number is growing, with every year finding that 500,000 more people having dental implants. Taking care of your teeth also helps take care of your gums and your bones, too.

Today, the many remarkable advances in general dentistry and oral surgery make it possible to make sure you take care of your oral health. Good oral health has an impact on your overall health, including digestion and nutrition. It is also important to know that taking good care of your teeth impacts your overall appearance and how your teeth look, too. With all these great reasons to take care of your smile, isn’t it time for you to call and make your next appointment with your dentist?