Recovery After Oral Implants

The process of placing implants has several steps, and recovery is one of the most important ones. Following any medical or oral procedure requires tedious aftercare and careful maintenance. After the long process of getting ready to receive your implants, you don’t want to compromise the procedure with poor hygiene or aftercare. Dr. Davis will discuss your specific care needs once your surgery is complete, but first we’ll discuss what to expect following your procedure to help you better prepare for your recovery. 

 

What to Expect After Oral Implant Surgery 

 

The recovery time for an oral implant procedure can take several months. As the bone begins to heal, the implant will start fusing into the bone and become part of your jaw. Titanium materials are used specifically because of their ability to bond with bone tissue and improve stability over time compared to other options. Following any oral surgery, aftercare is essential in the healing process. 

 

Side effects following surgery are expected. Over the first 24 hours, you might experience a nominal amount of bleeding from the site, some pain or discomfort, and most likely some swelling and bruising. Because we administer a local anesthetic for all procedures, you might still feel numb even if you have opted for general anesthesia. This numbness will wear off between six and 12 hours post-op. While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite down on your tongue, cheek, or surgical site. It’s important to take pain medications and follow aftercare instructions as directed by Dr. Davis. 

 

Tips for Managing Pain and Discomfort

 

Pain management is one concern of many patients. Dr. Davis will prescribe pain medications following your procedure to help subside discomfort. Always follow specific instructions from your doctor when taking prescription medications. Reduce swelling with ice packs. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin from the cold. If you are experiencing significant bleeding, bite down on a piece of gauze for 30 minutes to help create a blood clot. Be sure to eat soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or apple sauce. Avoid smoking before your procedure and especially during recovery. 

 

Oral Care and Hygiene During Recovery 

 

Your implants and the surrounding area are highly susceptible to infection, and it’s essential to care for your implants during recovery and the entire lifespan of your implant. It’s vital to keep your mouth clean during your recovery. Maintaining oral hygiene during recovery can prevent infections and ensure successful implant integration. 

 

Your gums will be extra sensitive to brushing and flossing. Invest in a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid heavy brushing near the implant site. Rinse the area thoroughly and regularly with salt water to help eliminate any possibility of infection. Avoid activities that could crack or damage your new implants, such as chewing on hard candies or ice or opening bottles with your teeth. The failure rate of implants is typically very low, but there is a direct correlation between smoking and tobacco use and dental implant failure. If you smoke, quitting before your procedure will boost your chances of a successful implant and smooth recovery. 

 

Follow Up Appointments and Care 

 

As discussed, taking extra care when brushing and flossing after getting implants is essential. Increase your oral hygiene habits following any treatment. If Dr. Davis requires follow-up visits, be sure to put them on the calendar and take any advice he has seriously to ensure a smooth route to recovery. Remember to stick to the aftercare instructions that we give you and discuss any concerns with our office. Once recovered, be sure to implement new practices when maintaining oral hygiene. 

 

It’s important to discuss any significant discomfort with your Oral Surgeon following your procedure. Be aware of the signs of infection, including fever, unusual drainage, or redness around the site. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us immediately. If you feel concerned about a specific element of recovery, contact the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute for additional tips on caring for your new implants. 

Is Flossing Everyday Necessary?

Teeth are a crucial aspect of one’s smile and appearance, and it greatly affects one’s self-esteem if not in the correct shape. If you experience yellowish or dirty teeth, perhaps your dentist has advised you to brush them more frequently, but that is not just about it.  In such cases, regular flossing should be a key component of your oral hygiene regimen. It is a requirement for everybody and is very beneficial to have clean white teeth and maintain your dental health. So, is flossing everyday necessary? We have the answers!

How Plaque Forms?

Food crumbs enter your teeth as you chew and get stuck between them. When this occurs, plaque begins to form. Plaque is a material that gets stuck in the teeth and can cause gum disease and tooth decay. In addition to being painful, gum disease and dental decay can both result in tooth loss. 

Plaque is created if the combination of acids, bacteria, and carbohydrates is not brushed often. Without flossing, plaque can accumulate at the gum line and between teeth, which can cause cavities and tooth rot. Plaque that has accumulated at the gum line has the opportunity to harden and turn into tartar; this creates a larger chance of you developing gum disease if you already have tartar.

Consistent flossing can remove food stuck in your teeth, preventing plaque from forming on the teeth. The plaque that is already present can also be removed by regular flossing. Thus, dental decay and the cavities that result from it can be avoided. 

Can Gum Diseases Occur Due to Plaque?

Gingivitis can develop when plaque and tartar begin to build up on the teeth near the gumline. This is an initial stage of gum disease as it causes inflammation in your gums. Another indication that you suffer from gingivitis is bleeding when you clean or floss your teeth. Without medical intervention, this condition can eventually develop into periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a disease that can become very severe and dangerous. Due to this disorder, your gums may back away from or recede from the teeth. This could result in the joints losing some support, causing teeth to lose. Periodontitis might have even more detrimental implications if it persists. Your entire body may respond to it by becoming inflamed as time passes.

Why Is It Necessary to Floss every day?

Is it acceptable to floss occasionally? As a simple answer, no. Flossing ought to be done frequently rather than every day. Good flossing is easy to learn, and it doesn’t take much. It’s a fantastic approach to improving your general health and dental care. Everybody should wash their teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once daily, according to the American Dental Association. You can incorporate flossing into either your nightly or morning dental hygiene routine.

It is advised that you floss before brushing. If you don’t clean your teeth after flossing, food particles previously stuck to your teeth and in your mouth will remain there. Although two or three times a day can be even more beneficial, flossing at least once a day should be mandatory. The optimal time to floss is just after each meal, but as long as you do it daily, you may maintain a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.

Conclusion

Regular flossing is essential to maintain oral health, as plaque and tartar can even lead to many health issues and can greatly affect overall health. If you need or are looking for the best dental intervention to enhance your oral health, contact our experts at the Shawn B. Davis, DMD Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, for the best services around you. 

What is Leukoplakia?

You may have heard the term before, but whether or not you have, it is important to know exactly what leukoplakia is. Leukoplakie is a condition in which pale, white lesions form on the insides of the cheeks, tongue, or lower portion of your mouth. They can be painful and often cause discomfort or insecurity in those presenting with the condition.

Concerns of Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia itself is not harmful and does not pose a large threat to you or your oral health. However, in some cases, leukoplakia has been linked to early warning signs of oral cancer. That is precisely why it is important to speak with an oral specialist if you notice lesions beginning to appear in your mouth. They will be able to examine the lesions and check for other signs to confirm oral cancer is not present. They can also suggest effective treatment options that will alleviate pain, symptoms, and help heal the lesions quickly.

Common Leukoplakia Symptoms

The most common symptoms of leukoplakia are pale, white lesions, gray or discolored tissues, raised or thick surfaces in the mouth, or irregularly textured areas on the cheeks, gums, or the tongue. Some describe feeling a hairy, fuzzy sensation when dealing with the condition and in those cases leukoplakia is referred to as “hairy leukoplakia.”

Learn More

If you are needing more information on leukoplakia, the risks of the condition or its causes and treatment, reach out to the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute at (435) 238-7083 today. It is important to maintain your oral health and learning about warning signs and symptoms is a sure way to protect yourself from developing worse conditions or diseases. Preventative care is the first step and our oral surgeons can set you on an oral care plan suited for you and your lifestyle.

Procedures Offered by Oral Surgeons

You may find yourself wondering what oral surgeons do. There can sometimes be mystery behind the profession because dentists are more common for regular teeth cleanings and maintenance. Oral surgeons conversely, specialize in oral surgery that many dentists cannot perform or can only perform on a smaller scale with restrictions. At Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, a variety of procedures are offered. Let’s go over procedures offered by oral surgeons!

What Oral & Facial Surgery Institute Offers

  • Dental implant surgery
  • Wisdom teeth extraction
  • Other extractions
  • Endodontic surgery
  • Facial aesthetic surgery
  • Facial trauma surgery
  • Cleft lip/palate surgery
  • TMJ/TMD and facial pain surgery
  • Oral cancer surgery & treatment

When You Should See An Oral Surgeon

If any of the above surgeries apply to the current condition of your teeth or oral health, then it is time to see an oral surgeon. At the same time, if you are referred to an oral surgeon by your dentist, then it’s time to see an oral surgeon and discuss what treatment plan may be necessary to address what you are dealing with. Oral Surgeons can accurately gauge what your teeth need, how to treat a wide variety of conditions, and how to address all of your concerns about your mouth and oral health. 

What to Expect at Your Oral Surgery Appointment

You can expect to have a professional, comfortable experience at your oral surgery appointments. Depending largely on the procedure that you are having or schedule, your appointment may run 30 minutes or longer. You can expect to have time to raise any questions or concerns that you have, to go over your oral health state and any issues the doctor may see, and what a unique treatment plan may look like for you.

Conclusion 

If you have any questions on the procedures oral surgeons offer, or need to see an oral surgeon, contact Shawn B. Davis at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, (435) 238-7083 today.

What You Need to Know About Dry Sockets

What You Need to Know About Dry Sockets

Dry sockets are often regarded as one of the most painful dental procedures that occur after a tooth extraction. Many patients report a sharp pain after their tooth is extracted, which might be a symptom of dry socket. After tooth extraction, a blood clot usually forms near the surface of the wound. However, in some instances, it doesn’t form or is dislodged, exposing the nerves. This is known as dry socket. 

Although it is painful, you can resolve it with the help of proper treatment and care. 

Risk Factors of Dry Sockets

It is not necessary that all patients develop dry socket after tooth extraction. And even dentists are unsure what causes it. But there are a few underlying risk factors that you need to take into account. They include: 

  • Smoking 
  • Drinking Alcohol
  • Chewing Tobacco
  • Poor Oral Hygiene
  • Infections and swollen gums

These factors put you at a higher risk of dry socket than others who have undergone tooth extraction. Therefore, a patient needs to take adequate precautions and follow the doctor’s instructions carefully after a tooth extraction. 

Symptoms of Tooth Extraction

There are numerous symptoms of dry socket. Some are painful, while others are less severe. Nonetheless, you should be on the lookout for these. Common symptoms include: 

  • Severe pain originating from the place of extraction
  • Visible bone appearing from where tooth was extracted
  • Foul smell and bad taste in mouth
  • Pain radiating to back of the beck and eye socket

It may take several days for the pain to develop and grow in severity. Although it is common to experience discomfort and pain after a tooth extraction, it should not prolong for extensive periods. Anyone who experiences the issue should contact their dentist as soon as possible. 

Dry Socket Treatment Options 

A dry socket is painful and thus, doctors focus on reducing the pain with the help of different treatment options. Below are a few options for you:

  1. Inside Clinic

Dentist might schedule a follow-up with the patient to manage symptoms. They might: 

  • Flush and clean the socket to remove any debris or harmful bacteria
  • Apply medications on the socket to prevent infections and other hazards
  • Prescribe pain killer drugs to cope up with the pain
  1. Home Treatment

After a dry socket is identified, a patient should look after their health at home. It involves routinely taking prescription medication and flushing the socket with a saline solution. 

Make sure to take adequate prevention methods and follow the doctor’s advice for meals and other eating habits. 

Final Thoughts 

For effective and compact treatment of dry sockets, you should approach the right professional. Before going ahead with the treatment, make sure the dentist possesses adequate certification, skills and experience to treat dry sockets. 

For best treatment, you may contact Oral & Facial Surgery Institute (OFSI). Contact us to consult an appointment right now! Phone: (435) 220-2095, Fax: (435) 673-0330

Oral Cancer: What You Should Know

Like all forms of cancer, oral cancer is a disease of concern that needs consideration to provide early detection and rapid, efficient treatment. In the United States, upwards of 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Knowing the warning signs and risk factors is crucial. Here are some things you should know about oral cancer.

Risk Factors You Should Know About

Tobacco

The largest contributing factor to developing oral cancer is the usage of tobacco products. This includes cigarettes, vapes, and chew products. There is also evidence to prove that secondhand smoke is dangerous and can lead to a variety of illnesses. If you are currently smoking, reach out to your healthcare provider and ask for assistance. There are free programs available to you that can help you stop smoking in order to stay as healthy as you can. 

Alcohol

Heavy alcohol consumption poses a large range of risks to your body and to your overall oral health. If you are currently drinking more than two alcoholic drinks a day, you are at an increased risk of the associated health problems. Try to limit the drink you have and speak to your healthcare provider if you need help.

HPV

The most common STD is a virus know are the human papilloma virus (HPV). Certain strains of HPV are linked to increased risks of oral cancer. If you have HPV or are concerned about it, speak with your healthcare provider on how to best protect yourself.

Conclusion

There are many risk factors that contribute to your chances of developing oral cancer. If you take the safety measures suggested above, you can greatly reduce your chances of suffering from the disease. If you have concerns about protecting yourself or believe you make need treatment, contact Shawn B. Davis at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, (435) 238-7083 today.

How Missing Teeth Can Affect Your Health

How Missing Teeth Can Affect Your Health

Ever wonder what it’ll be like if you had missing teeth? While it doesn’t take a genius to explain that there are effects of having missing teeth, it’s more than just aesthetic-related concerns. In fact, missing teeth can affect your health in different ways. 

Missing teeth mean that your mouth is prone to a variety of illnesses and disorders, especially the distortion and deterioration of the jawbone structure. When the jawbone structure experiences deterioration, the roots can lose their strength. You shouldn’t waste any time replacing missing teeth before it becomes a greater cause for concern.

Here are a few health risks associated with missing teeth. Nearly all of these risks can cause long-term effects and severe lifestyle implications if you leave them untreated for long.

  • Effects on Your Smile

There’s a huge variety of effects that missing teeth can have on your smile. You might become shy and highly subconscious about your missing teeth condition. This can cause you to avoid social interactions, so you don’t have to smile so often, leading to anxiety, phobias, and depression. Additionally, when your teeth sockets are empty, it can cause the remaining teeth to shift to the empty spaces, which makes the existing teeth structure crooked. This can put a further strain on your mental health regarding your smile.

  • Risk of Gum Diseases

This is also a no-brainer, but many people fail to realize it or choose to ignore it on purpose. But not paying attention to the risks of gum disease can prove detrimental to your overall health as well. Gum disease is a culprit behind many types of health conditions such as digestive issues, stomachaches, and even serious internal infections. The empty tooth pockets that once housed your teeth are now safehouses for bacteria.

  • Jawbone Density Loss

Jawbone issues are highly common among those who start losing their teeth due to an injury, medical condition, or other reason. Teeth allow the jawbone to hold well, which gives your face proper structure. This also promotes the density and keeps the jawbone strong for the timeline. Since missing teeth no longer stimulate the jawbone, bone loss occurs through bone density loss.

  • Prolonged Bite Problems

Whether you have bite problems, losing one or more teeth can cause the problem to become persistent. This is because the missing teeth provide the necessary gaps for the remaining teeth to overlap each other and become crooked due to exerting pressure. Of course, you can’t just stop chewing or biting forever. Hence, contacting the right healthcare expert is significant. 

Conclusion

Get the best oral and facial healthcare to ensure proper treatment for your face and mouth. Your teeth are a vital part of your daily life, and quite frankly, most people tend to ignore oral healthcare, which is already a cause for concern. However, Dr. Shawn B. Davis, DMD, at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, can help you take care of several dental conditions by providing effective solutions.

Meet with Dr. Shawn B. Davis, DMD, by making an appointment at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute. Call us at (435) 740-8296 for more information. Check out our website for more information.

What Is Bone Grafting and Why Do I Need It?

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What Is Bone Grafting and Why Do I Need It?

Bone grafting is a medical procedure that can occur in nearly any part of the body. The procedures for bone grafting are rather simple but require expert surgical skills. When bones break or deteriorate in an area of the body, your doctor may advise replacing these broken bones.

A surgeon safely removes damaged bone fragments from one part of the body and replaces them with healthier ones; this process is called bone grafting. For most reasons, bone grafting is a cosmetic procedure to restore and improve the contour and shape.

Why Do You Need Bone Grafting? – Jaw Bone Density

Bone grafting can become necessary when there’s a need for dental implants. The basic requirement for dental implants is that you must have a strong jaw bone to hold the implants in place securely and tightly. However, it may be unsafe to insert dental implants if your jaw bone appears to have signs of deterioration or damage. 

A dentist may use bone grafting to restore the jaw bone before placing dental implants. A bone grafting procedure can take several months to heal. The body absorbs the graft during the healing stage, and the added bone combines strongly with the area bone.

Jaw bone density issues are quite common and mainly affect adults. The Jaw bone can weaken with age and can deteriorate faster if any of the following conditions are part of your overall health:

  • Tumors
  • Periodontal diseases
  • Sinus abnormalities
  • Congenital disabilities
  • Trauma

The main reason for issues in jaw bone density is that, as people age, they start losing their teeth. Although decay, injuries, and trauma to the jaw can occur at any time, old age can be more susceptible to tooth problems. Loss of teeth can weaken the jaw bone and lead to its deterioration. The longer your mouth suffers tooth loss, the higher the degradation of your jaw bone will be. That is why you may require bone grafting before any dental implants.

What Kind of Bone Grafts are There?

Surgeons use several types of bone grafts for different patients, depending on their underlying medical conditions. All bone graft types comprise different types of material.

  • Autograft
  • Alloplast
  • Allograft
  • Xenograft

Conclusion

Do you require jaw bone treatments at the hand of one of the best specialists around? You should pay a visit to the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute in Utah. Dr. Shawn B. Davis, DMD, is a renowned oral and facial health issues specialist who can help you with right jaw bone density conditions through bone grafting techniques.

Find out more through the official website of the medical institute. Contact at (435) 228-7282 to meet with Dr. Shawn B. Davis today.

Are Teeth Extracted Even When Not in Pain?

There are several reasons that a tooth may be extracted. Sometimes, those decisions are made even when the tooth is not causing pain. Here are some of the most common reasons a painless tooth may be extracted. 

Tooth Decay

How many times have you gotten an x-ray to find out that you have a cavity (or several) that need attention? Many times tooth decay doesn’t cause pain. It is even possible, and fairly common, for a tooth to decay so badly that an infection reaches the inner part of the tooth known as the pulp. Unless the nerve becomes exposed or is being severely affected, the tooth may or may not cause you discomfort. Often in such cases, a painless tooth may need to be extracted due to the level of decay or infection.

Space Concerns

SImply, there is only so much space in your mouth to house teeth. Sometimes people grow more teeth than their mouth can handle. Or, you may have wisdom teeth wanting to grow that simply don’t have enough room at the back of your jaw. In this case, healthy, pain-free teeth may need to be removed to allow your other teeth to settle into a comfortable, attractive place. This can be done as a preventative measure before there is an overcrowding issue, or it can happen once the issue has already arised. 

Gum Disease

One of the most common oral problems facing Americans is gum disease. Thankfully, many methods of reversing and treating this disease do exist and are accessible to you. However, if the condition is bad enough, teeth may become loose if your jawbone is affected by the disease. For your safety, those teeth may need to be extracted. 

Conclusion

Yes, teeth do sometimes need to be extracted when they are not in pain. However, they are only removed when absolutely necessary and when the tooth can not be treated in another way. If you are wondering about the health of your teeth, visit Shawn B. Davis at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute. Call the office today: (435) 238-7083

Benefits of Having a Tooth Extracted

Let’s walk through some of the best benefits of having a tooth extracted. The ideal scenario for a healthy mouth is to retain all of your natural teeth. However, there are plenty of times that a person’s oral health declines whether that is due to mistreatment, disease, or injury. If your oral surgeon has recommended a tooth extraction, it is important that you rest assured it is purposeful and will benefit the overall health of your teeth. 

Tooth Extractions Can Remove Infection Source

An infected tooth is always a health concern and needs treatment. Sometimes the innermost layer of a tooth, known as the pulp, gets an infection that warrants immediate attention from your oral surgeon. In this kind of infection’s case, a root canal can sometimes solve the issue and remove the infection. If it is bad enough though, an extraction may be recommended to you to remove all of the infection in the area. This means your mouth will maintain a healthy, infection-free environment and will stand a better chance of recovery.

Tooth Extractions Help Future Oral Health

Sometimes a tooth extraction may be decided on to protect your oral health in the future. A wisdom tooth extraction is a good example. Often wisdom teeth may be too large to fit into the mouth, or may be sideways, causing an impending impaction. In this case your oral surgeon will extract the teeth so that you can save yourself the discomfort and pain associated with their growth.

Extractions Open Space for Dental Implants

If you are at a point in your life where you have chosen to get dental implants, extracting your teeth is a prerequisite to the procedure. In this case, your oral surgeon will take out your teeth and roots to make space for the new, beautiful implants. 

Conclusion

If you need to have a tooth extracted do not worry, it is only for the betterment of your oral health. Shawn B. Davis at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute will take care of you and any concerns that you have! Contact us today: (435) 238-7083