1. Wisdom teeth haven’t served a purpose for thousands of years Back in the time of prehistoric people, diets consisted of raw meats, roots, leaves, and other foraged foods. Powerful teeth were needed to cut up these tough foods, as well as catch, dismember, and consume the foods. Having these extra teeth were a huge advantage, especially when there was no dentist around to keep teeth healthy. Since then, people have evolved, and now, we have a more refined menu. This means we don’t need these extra teeth to tear apart tough foods and survive. 2. Wisdom teeth cause problems Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, usually appear between the ages 17 to 25. While it is different from person to person, often these teeth cause problems …
What Oral Surgery Can a General Dentist Do?
Oral surgery refers to any medical procedure performed on the mouth with specific regard to the teeth, jaw, and/or gums. Depending on the type of procedure being performed, it may be done by your general dentist in their office (a tooth extraction, for example), or by an oral surgeon in a hospital or clinic setting (such as the removal of wisdom teeth or dental implants, depending on the type of implant and the technique being used). General Dentist vs Oral Surgeon General dentist A general dentist has one of two degrees: Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). While it might seem confusing, both degrees mean the same thing. A person who holds either degree has received the same education. The …
Wisdom Teeth & Why are they Removed
What are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom tooth is another name for any one of four third molars found in the permanent dentition (adult teeth). These teeth are the last or most posterior teeth in the dental arch. Although most people have wisdom teeth, it is possible for some or all of the third molars to never develop. It is also possible for a person to have more than four wisdom teeth. In many individuals, the wisdom teeth aren't visible because they have become impacted (not normally erupted through the gums) under the gingival tissue. Does Everyone have Wisdom Teeth? You know if you have wisdom teeth by examining your mouth and finding three permanent molars in each dental quadrant. However, if the tooth is impacted under the …
Missing Teeth: Causes, Consequences & Solutions
Think that there aren’t any real consequence to missing teeth? Think again! Missing teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Teeth fulfill all kinds of roles, some of which require that they all work together. Gaps can, and do, make a difference in the overall wellness of your mouth/body. Why do adults lose their teeth? There are several common reasons why you might lose a tooth as an adult. Accidents and trauma: Painful events, such as taking an elbow to the teeth during a family football game, are one common way that people lose teeth. This is usually a one-time event that accompanies a trip to the dentist right away. Although painful, teeth that get knocked out are typically of less concern than those lost for other …
How Long to The Wait For a Dental Implant After Extraction?
How Long is Typical? How long a patient will have to wait to have a dental implant placed after a tooth extraction varies from person to person and depends on several factors. In some cases, if enough healthy jawbone is present, it may be possible to place a dental implant the same day a tooth is taken out. However, in most cases, our Ladys Island dentist will recommend waiting 3 to 6 months after a tooth extraction to allow the area to fully heal. But if someone chooses to wait longer than that, they’ll experience more bone loss in the jaw (which naturally occurs when a tooth is removed). If enough time goes by, the jaw may become too thin or weak to support an implant. In those cases, a bone graft may be recommended to restore the …
Cracked Tooth: Types, Symptoms & Treatments
You may suspect you have a cracked tooth if you experience sharp pain when biting which quickly disappears. Cracked teeth are relatively common and a generally a by-product of having fillings as well as bruxism, or night-time teeth grinding. Amalgam fillings are notorious for causing the right conditions for crack development in teeth. Because amalgam has a property called dynamic creep, every time pressure is applied to the top of the filling, it deforms slightly by pushing outwards against the walls of the tooth which contains it. After enough time, cracks can form in the tooth structure, eventually leading to the loss of a portion of the tooth or in the worst case, a complete split. Bruxism provides intense forces which can cause …
How to Save a Knocked Out Tooth
It can be difficult to think clearly in the moments following one of your teeth being knocked out. However, acting swiftly and correctly can make the difference between saving and losing the tooth for good, so it’s important that you’ve got a clear understanding of how to act if it happens to you. We’ll take you through the steps you need to take in the immediate aftermath of having a tooth knocked out, so you can put yourself in the best position to save your displaced tooth. Find the tooth First things first: find the tooth. Obviously, you can’t replant the tooth without finding it, so in situations where the tooth has been lost, a denture, implant or bridge will be used as a replacement. It’s also important that the tooth doesn’t get …
Tooth Extraction & What to Do After
An extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding. If you need an extraction, our dentist will first numb the area to lessen any discomfort. After the extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow. In most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal. Your mouth will slowly fill in the bone where the tooth root was through the formation of a blood clot. Here are some tips to follow to make recovery easier: Avoid anything that might prevent normal healing. Don’t smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously. Avoid drinking through a straw for 24 hours. Follow the diet your dentist suggests. For the first few days, if you must rinse, rinse your mouth …
Dry Socket
You probably think having a tooth pulled is not a particularly enjoyable experience. And you no doubt expect to have some discomfort afterward. But that's OK, you say. You can endure it when you need to. But if the pain becomes intense and perhaps even worsen after a few days, it may be a symptom of a condition called dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. Only a very small percentage -- about 2% to 5% of people -- develop dry socket after a tooth extraction. In those who have it, though, dry socket can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, it's easily treatable. The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth has been removed. After a tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Sometimes that …