Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to emerge, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Located at the very back of the mouth, these teeth often require special attention to determine if they are properly positioned and healthy. Here’s what you need to know about wisdom teeth and their removal:
When should wisdom teeth be removed?
Wisdom teeth may need to be removed if they cause:
- Pain or discomfort
- Infections or gum inflammation
- Cysts or damage to the jawbone
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay or harm to nearby teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your dentist for an evaluation.
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there isn’t enough space for them to emerge properly. They may grow at odd angles, even horizontally, and can remain trapped within the jawbone. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and infection. Impacted teeth can lead to severe oral health problems, so dentists often recommend removing wisdom teeth before they fully develop or become impacted.
Are there subtle reasons for wisdom teeth removal?
Even if wisdom teeth aren’t causing immediate issues, they may still pose risks in the future. Dentists frequently advise removing wisdom teeth in teens or young adults to prevent complications as they age. Additionally, wisdom teeth may be removed as part of broader orthodontic, periodontal, or restorative treatment plans.
What happens if I don’t remove them?
In some cases, dentists take a “wait and see” approach, monitoring wisdom teeth over time. If there is enough room for them to emerge properly and they remain healthy, removal might not be necessary. However, ongoing dental checkups are crucial to ensure they don’t cause problems later in life.
For expert advice and care, contact our dental office for a consultation on wisdom teeth removal. Protect your oral health by staying proactive!
Understanding and Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious problem, and you should treat it as soon as possible by following your dentist’s recommendations. Also known as periodontal disease, it has several treatments depending on the severity of the issue.
Initial Steps to Address Gum Disease
Your first course of action is to completely revamp your oral hygiene habits. Daily flossing and brushing after meals are essential habits to develop. You must have a clean mouth before you go to bed. If you smoke, it’s important to quit, as your oral health depends on it.
If you haven’t been keeping up with regular professional checkups and cleanings, now is the time to start again. Long-term gum health is greatly impacted by the plaque, tartar, food debris, and bacteria left on teeth. Hardened calculus, or calcified plaque, can be removed using a process called scaling, which may require local anesthesia.
Evaluating Progress
Your dentist will monitor your progress to see if your gum tissue is recovering. If you respond well to treatment, gum disease may be managed with these initial steps alone. However, for more severe cases, oral surgery may be necessary.
Advanced Treatment Options
Surgical procedures can regenerate and repair soft gum tissue as well as hard tissues such as bone or teeth. Your oral surgeon will aim to reduce or eliminate gum pockets—open areas beneath the gum line—improving gum-to-tooth attachment. The goal is to restore normal oral functions and aesthetic appearance.
Sedation Options
For patients undergoing oral surgery to treat gum disease, various sedation dentistry options are available, including local anesthesia, IV sedation, or conscious oral sedation. Discuss your options with your oral surgeon to determine the best choice for your specific needs.
Act Now
Don’t delay in treating gum disease. Take the necessary steps to ensure a lifetime of better oral hygiene and gum health.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Drain is accepting new patients from Sicklerville and the surrounding area.
When your appearance affects your confidence due to flaws in your smile, dental veneers can completely transform your life. The process is simple, and in just a few visits to your dentist, you’ll have a beautiful, brand-new smile.
Getting dental veneers is painless. Your dentist will take impressions of your natural teeth, and the mold is sent to a dental lab where the veneers are custom-made for you. The thin shells, usually made of porcelain or composite resin, are bonded to the fronts of your teeth, hiding various imperfections.
There are many reasons patients consider veneers to enhance their smile. Here are some common reasons:
- Stains: Severely discolored or stained teeth may not respond to teeth whitening treatments, or the results might not be enough. With veneers, you and your dentist can choose the exact shade of white you desire, achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.
- Chips: Chipped or cracked teeth are easily covered with veneers. The damaged portion is supplemented, and the hard veneer coating protects the weakened tooth from further damage.
- Misalignment: If braces or other orthodontic treatments didn’t work for you, or you wish to avoid a lengthy and sometimes embarrassing process, veneers can make your smile appear straight and perfect. Uneven or crooked teeth can affect your self-esteem, but veneers will make you proud to smile.
- Gaps: Large gaps between your teeth can be upsetting, sometimes requiring invasive treatments like dental implants. Veneers can help cover these gaps, giving you an even smile without the pain or long recovery time.
While veneers may not address every dental issue, many common imperfections can be corrected with this easy and quick solution. Ask your dentist if veneers are right for you.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Sicklerville dental office.
Root canal therapy addresses the tooth’s interior. A crucial final step is placing a permanent restoration to protect the tooth and restore its full form and function. This should be done within one month of the root canal to minimize the risk of re-infection or tooth breakage. A permanent restoration significantly improves the long-term success of the root canal by preventing leakage and fractures.
The best type of restoration—either a filling or a crown—depends on the treated tooth’s condition and the amount of lost tooth structure. For small cavities in front teeth with minimal structural loss, a tooth-colored filling may suffice after the root canal.
However, a dental crown is often the recommended restoration for a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy. Because these teeth can be weakened, a crown offers superior protection against bacterial contamination and fracture. Fabricated in a lab and custom-fitted, crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or a combination. Suitable for both front and back teeth, crowns are particularly important for molars that endure significant chewing pressure.
Restoring a root canal-treated tooth with a crown or permanent filling is essential for the treatment’s long-term success. If you experience symptoms of a damaged or diseased tooth, a timely root canal and appropriate restoration can preserve the tooth and its function for many years.
Do you live in Sicklerville or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
Family dentistry is the practice that focuses on providing both preventative and restorative dental care to individuals of all ages. These practices cater to all age groups, offering a wide range of treatment options to meet the needs of each family member.
While family dentistry is similar to general dentistry, it is unique in that it serves patients of all ages, from infants with their first teeth to seniors with permanent teeth. It is important for children to start seeing a dentist by their first birthday, and what better way to begin their dental care than with the same dentist who treats the whole family? This approach makes it convenient to have everyone in the family seeing the same dentist and helps build a long-lasting relationship with the dental care provider.
A key focus of family dentistry is ongoing maintenance and preventative treatment. It’s recommended that everyone visit the dentist every six months for cleanings and routine checkups. These visits help eliminate plaque buildup, a leading cause of tooth decay and cavities, and allow the dentist to identify any potential oral health issues before they become more serious.
Most family dentists offer fluoride treatments, which help prevent tooth decay by coating the teeth with fluoride. Dental sealants are another common service offered to protect against dental issues. Depending on the family dentist, additional services may include cavity fillings, treatment for gum disease, crowns, root canals, extractions, and orthodontics. It’s important to ask about the full range of services offered when choosing a family dentist to ensure your family’s needs are met.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Drain is accepting new patients from Sicklerville and the surrounding area.
Today’s cosmetic dentistry offers an extensive array of treatments and procedures to help restore a beautiful and healthy smile. While you may never have considered cosmetic dental procedures as a solution to your dental concerns, there are quite a few reasons you may want to consider for seeking cosmetic dental treatment:
- Crooked, cracked or decayed teeth can be corrected through bonding, crowns, and veneers, returning your smile to its once vibrant and healthy appearance.
- Decay and disease can cause you to lose teeth, creating gaps that hollow your face and age your appearance. Cosmetic dentistry offers a wide variety of options such as dental implants for restoring missing teeth, keeping your smile and face younger looking.
- Teeth that have yellowed or discolored over time due to wine, tobacco or staining foods can be lightened up to ten shades with professional teeth whitening treatments performed by a qualified cosmetic dentist.
- “Horsey” looking teeth or “gummy” smiles can be corrected through gum re-contouring or restructuring to create a younger, more appealing smile.
- Misaligned or gapped teeth can be straightened through orthodontia such as Invisalign that is virtually invisible and pain and hassle-free.
Some cosmetic treatments may be offered by your family dentist, but you may want to consider a consultation with a qualified cosmetic dentist to find out more about the full array of treatments available to address your cosmetic dental concerns. Many procedures are quick and painless, and can be combined with other cosmetic treatments to achieve the results you desire. With the help of cosmetic dentistry and proper oral care, you can be assured a confident, more perfect smile.
We treat patients from Sicklerville and the surrounding area
