Dental Anxiety vs Dental Phobia & How to Manage Both
Fear of the dentist (or oral surgeon!) is a real thing, and it’s common – you’re not alone in that apprehension you feel before someone sticks a drill in your mouth. If you tense up at the thought of a simple teeth cleaning, let alone something more major like wisdom teeth extraction, you’ve got plenty […]
Office Anesthesia & Sedation for Oral Surgery
Feeling nervous about your upcoming procedure? We get it. Dr. Puckett and his caring staff understand that oral surgery, especially when it comes to those that require sedation methods, is not something anyone looks forward to. Many people are apprehensive about the idea of being “put under.” They may also face heightened anxiety over the […]
Understanding Craniofacial Prostheses in Pediatric Maxillofacial Medicine
For children undergoing maxillofacial surgery, the journey doesn’t end with the operation. Often, the path to recovery involves a unique tool: a craniofacial prosthesis. These custom-made devices not only repair appearance, but also play a crucial role in the child’s quality of life. The world of pediatric craniofacial prostheses can be a scary place – […]
Oral Surgery Safety Guide for Pregnant People
Oral health is a crucial part of having a healthy pregnancy. Poor mouth health, including gum disease or other low-grade infections, can compromise the immune system of both parent and child. It only makes sense—having bacteria buildup in your mouth that necessitates tooth removal and getting a high-grade titanium dental implant or worse just isn’t […]
Diverse Dental Care: Differing Cultural Perspectives on Pearly Whites
With US culture’s focus on having a bright, healthy smile, you might think that brushing with electric toothbrushes and swishing with Listerine is a universal practice. How else do you take care of your teeth? Hint: The US is a cultural island. Something as basic as the concept of a healthy smile is still subject […]
Dental Implants & Myths About Mouth Reconstruction
Dental implants are the best method to replace missing teeth. If you’re looking for replacement teeth that look and feel like the real thing, it really doesn’t get much better than a good, high-quality titanium tooth implant. But for all the buzz on how great they are, there’s also a lot of misinformation about this […]
Teeth Whitening and Dental Implants – Can You Do it and how does it Work?
A bright, radiant smile is often considered a universal symbol of health and beauty. While other cultures have a different idea on what a radiant smile looks like, the side of the world we exist on fixates on blindingly white teeth as the gold standard. As a result, the quest for whiter teeth has led […]
Receding Gum Lines Later In Life – What Can I do?
A vibrant smile is a timeless asset, but as the years pass, our oral health can face challenges, and one common concern that emerges is receding gum lines. Understanding the causes of gum recession, how it evolves with age, and exploring effective solutions for restoration can empower individuals to preserve their smiles for a lifetime. […]
Permanent Retainers and Dental Implants – What’s the deal?
A flawless smile isn’t just about the teeth; it’s about the confidence that radiates from it. Permanent retainers, often an unsung hero in orthodontic journeys, play a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of teeth. But what happens when the need for dental implants arises? Do permanent retainers need to be removed for the successful […]
Diabetes and Oral Health Connection
Any dental surgeon worth their salt can tell you that your oral health is a window into your overall well-being. The two are inextricably linked, and any sort of dental issue you’re facing—whether that’s tooth failure and needing a high-quality replacement tooth implant, bone grafting around the jaw and mouth, or some other type of […]
Are Topical Meds a Good Alternative to Prescription Pain Killers?
In any surgical field, the less we have to mess with our body, the better it is for healing. The traditional treatment for recovery from surgery is combination prescription pills for pain and inflammation. However, these medications have several pitfalls – they’re not a viable option for people with certain health issues, use disorders, religions, […]
Can Machine Learning Improve Oral Health Care?
Considering the potential applications of artificial intelligence tech is limitless, it was only a matter of time before AI hit the field of oral and maxillofacial medicine. Emerging research seems to indicate that machine learning will be a useful tool for oral surgeons diagnosing particular diseases or deformities. Why’s this particularly interesting to the field […]
