Valley Oral Surgeon, LTD

Canker sores in the mouth are not contagious but they can indicate other diseases or abnormalities. Canker sores are small white, gray, or red ulcers that can reappear often. Weak immune systems, bacterial infections, hereditary factors, fatigue, stress and allergies are all common causes.

It is very common to have mild discomfort following an oral surgery. However, if you have pain three to four weeks after your surgery, this could indicate some type of localized infection, and you should contact your oral surgeon.

Flossing can help control the bacteria in your mouth. Care to guess how much overall tooth surface you may be missing by failing to floss on a regular basis? If you guessed 40 percent, you're right.

Wisdom teeth frequently fail to erupt properly, but upper canines can be impacted as well. Since these teeth are essential for tearing food, an oral surgeon will do everything possible to get the tooth to grow in, often with the assistance of orthodontics.

Unfortunately, the type of sedation and painkillers a regular dentist can use during a difficult wisdom tooth extraction may leave you feeling more of the procedure than you’d like. Remember, an oral surgeon will have more options for helping you have a painless surgery.

The word apicoectomy comes from the root word apex, or "the root of a tooth." It is a minor surgical procedure in which an oral surgeon removes the tip of a tooth’s root. A small incision is made into pre-numbed gum tissue, and the delicate tooth’s bone covering is removed. The underlying tissue is then cleaned, and the tip of the root is sealed.

An oral surgeon who puts in a dental bridge does so to literally bridge a gap created by missing teeth or a missing tooth. A dental bridge is actually made of two crowns (for the teeth on each side of the gap) called "anchoring" or "abutment teeth" and a false tooth (or teeth) in between them called "pontics." They can be made of a combination of materials and are supported by natural teeth or dental implants.

Dental implant surgery has been around for thousands of years. Implants were discovered in the remains of a Mayan woman. Tooth-shaped pieces of shell were placed in the jaw of the woman to replace broken or rotten teeth. Fortunately, we've come a long way since then.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is when bacteria infection occurs around the teeth and up into the gums. This causes inflammation and bleeding, but if not treated, can spread to the bone and jaw, causing serious damage.

Did you know that dental implants can be used to permanently support cemented bridges? In fact, doing so eliminates the need for dentures. Although the cost may be a little more, the resulting bridges and implants look and feel more like real teeth.

Dental care spending in the United States is estimated at $161.4 billion annually. Many people realize that caring for your oral health is key to a healthy life and a healthy body. Prevention is the best medicine!

You may already know your bite mark is as unique as your fingerprints. You may not realize it, but your tongue impression and your lip prints are also completely distinctive. When it comes to your mouth, you're in a league of your own.

The success rate of dental implants depends on where the implants are placed and their function, as well as how well they are cleaned at home after they are completed. Most studies show success rates of at least 90%.