Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston Blog

2020 and 2021 certainly haven’t been the easiest years, but as 2021 winds down to its close, many families and individuals are pausing to consider the reasons they have to be thankful. Things like family and friends are rightfully among the top reasons for gratitude. But for millions of people, dental implants also belong on that list. Let’s talk about some of the many advantages of this tooth replacement treatment.

If you have traditional dentures, you might have been grateful for them at first. After all, they brought back your smile and enabled you to eat a wider variety of foods. However, you might still feel like something is lacking. If so, you may want to make the transition from dentures to dental implants. Implants provide a much more lifelike form of tooth replacement. Let’s talk about what you can expect throughout your treatment journey.

The dental implant process requires a significant investment of time and money. Once your treatment is complete, the last thing you want is for your beautiful new smile to lose its luster. Therefore, it is only natural to wonder, “Do dental implants stain like natural teeth?” Let’s talk about the answer to this important question.

Successful dental implant treatment often depends on preliminary procedures that prepare the mouth to support the new teeth. One common preliminary procedure is bone grafting, which strengthens and enlarges the jawbone so it can bond well with dental implants. If your oral surgeon has recommended that you undergo a dental bone graft, it’s understandable if you are a bit nervous — but don’t worry. In this blog post, we explain what you can expect during your recovery and how you can stay as comfortable as possible while you are on the mend.

No one likes the idea of having a tooth extracted, but if your tooth is in pain, it may be easy for you to accept that it needs to be removed. But what if your tooth isn’t in pain and your dentist says it should be taken out? It is understandable if you hesitate to agree to the procedure. However, it is important that you seriously consider the recommendation. There are several good reasons why a tooth extraction might be necessary even if you are not experiencing any discomfort.

Has your dentist informed you that you should get your wisdom teeth removed? It can be easy to postpone the procedure, especially if you are not experiencing any unpleasant symptoms. After all, you may dislike the idea of setting time aside to heal from your surgery. But it is important that you comply with your dentist’s recommendation. Plus, summer is a great time to get your wisdom teeth extracted. In this post, we’ll discuss why that is the case.

Summertime is chock full of mouthwatering foods. Plus, with the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, this summer and next summer are bound to present lots of opportunities for social eating. Sadly, though, you might not be able to enjoy all of your favorite seasonal treats if you have suffered a degree of tooth loss. Dental implants can help! This sturdy, long-lasting form of tooth replacement can equip you do dig into summer foods without worry.

The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of the mouth. For some people, they serve as a functional, problem-free part of their smile. For others, however, they can lead to serious dental health issues. This is particularly likely if they are fully or partially impacted (stuck beneath the gumline). Let’s talk about how wisdom tooth pain and other warning signs indicate that it may be time to get your wisdom teeth extracted.

Most people get their wisdom teeth removed when they are in their teens or early 20s, but some people hesitate to commit to the procedure. They may wonder if wisdom tooth removal is really necessary. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide whether to get them taken out. However, you should be aware of the risks that come with keeping your wisdom teeth in place. You may suffer from infection, cysts, and damage to your other teeth.

More than 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and nearly 10,000 people die from it. Sadly, though, oral cancer does not get the attention it deserves. Many people even wrongly conclude that they are not at risk for it! Let’s talk about some of the primary risk factors for oral cancer and what steps you can take to protect yourself from it.