What’s The Difference Between a Dentist and an Oral Surgeon?
Dentists and oral surgeons both work on teeth. But most people see their dentist twice a year and only see an oral surgeon if your dentist recommended one. Dentists and oral surgeons do different things, but often collaborate: A dentist extracts teeth easily pulled, but will refer you to an oral surgeon to have a […]
Tips For Overcoming Dental Anxiety
No one looks forward to seeing the dentist. But serious anxiety prevents 15 percent of Americans from seeking regular preventive care. That’s a problem, because gum disease is a serious infection that can affect the whole body. Studies now link gum disease to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, among other illnesses. About two-thirds of nervous […]
Dental Implant FAQs
What is a dental implant? Dental implants have three parts: 1.) the post, usually titanium, that takes the place of your missing tooth’s root; 2.) the abutment, built into the post to connect it to your replacement tooth; and 3.) the replacement (false) tooth, custom-made to match your other teeth. Why are dental implants so […]
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, can fracture, swell and/or become sore, limiting movement of the lower jaw and causing pain in the head, ear, jaw or neck. If you have trouble opening and closing your mouth, ear or facial pain, pain while chewing, clicking or popping when you chew, toothaches or headaches, the TMJ might […]
The History of Dental Implants
Dental implants (artificial tooth roots permanently embedded in the jawbone with a false tooth attached) have an interesting history. Wood, copper, iron, gold, jade, platinum, porcelain, sea shells, and animal and human teeth were all tried — without much success — before an orthopedic surgeon found a material that would fuse well with human bone. […]
Tooth Extraction: What to Expect
So you’ve been told you need a tooth extraction. Your tooth is damaged or decayed, your mouth is too crowded, or you have an infection. Knowing what to expect can improve the experience before, during and after the procedure. Before Before the day of your extraction, a Wilmington Oral Surgery team member will ask for […]
Am I A Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants (artificial tooth roots permanently embedded in the jawbone with a false tooth attached) are an excellent solution to a number of oral health challenges: missing teeth, unstable dentures, speech/smile/eating problems caused by dentures, lack of back teeth on which to attach a bridge, and the hassle of taking care of dentures. Implants are […]
What Jaw Surgery Can Achieve
When your jaws do not line up properly, you may not like the way you look. It can be hard to smile, eat, swallow, or even rest your mouth comfortably. Even more concerning, misaligned jaws can cause health problems such as chronic joint pain (TMJ), headaches, sleep apnea, excessive tooth wear, and dry mouth. Orthodontics […]
Preventing and Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and tooth replacement in adults. While the causes of this infection are many –hormonal changes, illnesses, medications, smoking, family history and poor oral hygiene – issues with the gums can often be prevented, or stopped before it progresses from gum inflammation (gingivitis) to gum disease (periodontitis). It’s […]
Bone Grafting (Not as Scary as it Sounds)
Bone grafting, or the transplanting of bone tissue, is a fairly common procedure in our practice. Our oral surgeon, Dr. Puckett, is very experienced in bone and tissue grafts in the mouth and face. Dental bone grafts can help correct misaligned jawbones, allow more effective tooth replacement, and help maintain facial structure when numerous teeth […]
Understanding 3D Cone-Beam CT Scans
At Wilmington Oral Surgery, we have used 3D cone-beam computer tomography (CT) since the early 2000s. This technology is extremely useful in certain dental evaluations, diagnoses, and treatment planning, because it gives us 3D images of patients’ teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bones–all in a one scan. When it is Used We use Cone-Beam […]
Options for Congenitally Missing Teeth
Some people have congenitally missing teeth; they were born without one or more permanent tooth under the gums. Others’ teeth came in, but left large gaps between teeth. These issues can cause physical and emotional problems, especially when the empty spaces are in the front of the mouth. In addition to a less-attractive smile, other […]
