Your smile is the first thing someone notices about your face. Cosmetic imperfections can influence the way you view yourself, impacting your level of self-confidence. Oral and facial surgery is dedicated to helping you live a healthy, confident life and can improve both your appearance and your overall health. Any procedure performed on the jaw, teeth, or gums is referred to as oral surgery. Oral surgery procedures include dental implant placement, teeth extractions, and corrective jaw surgery. Oral surgery often serves two main purposes: to improve the function and health of your teeth and gums, and to restore and renew your appearance. The following are just a few of the ways that oral surgery can benefit you.

Restore the Function and Appearance of Your Smile

We understand the desire for a natural appearance when it comes to dental treatments. We can create dental implants and implant supported dentures that are designed to mimic the appearance of your natural teeth. Dental implants are a safe, long-term solution to replacing missing teeth. Missing teeth can affect your facial structure and profile, along with the overall appearance of your smile. In addition, missing teeth can negatively affect your chewing function and your speech ability. 

Improve Oral Health

More than your appearance, oral surgery can improve your overall health. Our oral surgeon in 60467 is experienced in performing extractions, which can allow your teeth to grow properly. Extracting teeth will often remove your source of pain and infection, improving your quality of life and, often, your emotional well-being. Infection that is not addressed can spread to other parts of your body rather quickly, putting you in a life-threatening situation. By removing the source of infection, you may be ultimately saving your life. 

Oral surgery can help you regain your confidence. Your oral health is linked to your overall health, which makes it especially important that your teeth and gums are healthy. Oral surgery can help improve your oral health and prevent future oral health complications. To learn more about the services we offer, or to schedule your visit to our oral surgery office in Orland Park, please contact our team today.

A healthy smile can be an important aspect in your quality of life. There are a number of steps you can take to keep your smile healthy by reducing your risk of developing tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common cause of all dental problems and it is easily preventable. Here are a few suggestions from our 60467 oral surgeon that will help you keep away decay. 

Clean Up Your Diet

Reduce the amount of sugars and carbohydrates in your diet. Decay-causing bacteria in the mouth feed on these substances. We suggest you reduce acidic foods in your diet when possible. These foods can lead to demineralization of your teeth and can wear away the enamel structure. Citrus fruits and vinegars are very acidic. Consider adding foods high in minerals and vitamins to your diet, such as apples, leafy greens, celery, or carrots.

Oral Hygiene is Key

Routine brushing at least twice a day followed by flossing and a mouth rinse is the

Ideal at-home dental care routine. Brush for at least two minutes in the morning and at night. Use a soft bristle toothbrush that is small enough to reach every tooth. An electric toothbrush is one of the best tools that you can use. 

Dental Sealants

Children often get dental sealants to protect the hard-to-reach teeth in the back of their

mouths. The back teeth (called molars) have deep anatomical grooves that can trap food and bacteria. Dental sealants can also benefit adults and those who have a higher risk of decay. Dental sealants are a layer of plastic-like material that coats the top surface of the tooth. Sealants protect the crevices in the tooth where bacteria reside and they minimize the tooth’s exposure to harmful sugars and acids that wear down enamel. 

When left untreated, tooth decay can cause discomfort and spread to other healthy

teeth. It can even lead to a dental infection. You can combat tooth decay by reducing sugars and acids in your diet and brushing and flossing regularly. For some patients, dental sealants might be a solution. If you are concerned about a possible dental infection due to tooth decay, please give our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL a call as soon as possible.

There seems to be a lot of stigma built up around oral surgery. You might think of it as a last resort for people with particularly serious oral health issues. Maybe you assume that all oral surgery procedures are painful and invasive with a long recovery time. However, there are plenty of reasons that many individuals could benefit from oral surgery. Not all procedures are going to require the same amount of healing time. Below are some common issues that can be resolved with simple oral surgery procedures. 

Replacement of Missing Teeth

Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. An implant integrates into your jawbone and a cosmetic crown that mimics the look and function of a natural tooth is cemented on top. Implants can help restore the function of missing teeth, as well as keeping the adjacent teeth from shifting out of place. 

Fixing TMJ and Orthodontic Issues 

A misaligned bite can cause a number of oral health and jaw problems. From a clicking sensation and pain in the jaw to excess wear and tear on your teeth, misalignment can easily spiral into something more serious. Our oral surgeon in 60467 is trained in procedures that can correct the way that the upper and lower jaw come together. 

Getting Rid of Decay and Infection

The majority of people find that they need to have their wisdom teeth removed at some point in their lives. Additionally, other teeth may need to be extracted due to damage or infection. Removing the problem teeth can help protect overall oral health and give the rest of your teeth room to thrive in your mouth. 

Treating Facial Trauma

After sustaining a traumatic facial injury, an individual might need to undergo oral surgery to help repair and rebuild the delicate structures found in the mouth. Whether damaged teeth need to be extracted and replaced with implants or the jaw needs to be reset, the extent of the surgery will depend on the injuries sustained. 

Don’t let a limited understanding of oral surgery stop you from receiving the best treatment for your situation. To learn more about the potential benefits of oral surgery, contact our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL today.

Do you feel shy about your teeth? Here are three ways shared by our oral surgeon in Orland Park that you can restore confidence in your appearance, and feel good showing people your smile again.

Boost Of Confidence

You may be a perfect candidate for dental implants if you are feeling afraid or embarrassed to smile around others. This is a basic human need everyone has – to smile!

You won’t have to worry about them looking fake, because they are custom crafted to look and feel like natural teeth. With dental implants you will be ready to smile in every picture and happy to share it with everyone.

Increased Functionality

Some of us are scared of the permanence of dental crowns, and will often opt for dentures instead. The problem with dentures is that they can get loose and might possibly even fall right out of your mouth when talking or eating.

With implants, because they are securely anchored to your jaw, there is no possibility of this happening. They don’t require dental adhesive, you’ll be able to eat any food you desire without worry, and they’ll make it easier for you to speak clearly.

Improved Oral Health

If you are considering getting dental implants, you must act fast because losing a tooth can lead to added health problems if not taken care of quickly. The jawbone can deteriorate and weaken over time if there are no teeth there to support it.

Your quality of life can be immensely impacted just by losing one tooth. If you are feeling embarrassed of your smile, dental implants can bring your confidence right back and provide the natural look you once had. No one will even notice you have them!

Schedule a consultation with our team at our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL today and see if dental implants are right for you.

There are many ways you can chip your tooth, but it usually happens pretty innocently. You may feel the little piece of chipped tooth in your mouth and become confused, or you may not even notice until you look in the mirror.

Did you know that enamel is one of the hardest substances in the body? Believe it or not, it can still chip or crack. You could be chewing on ice, grinding your teeth at night, or even just eating normally, it can happen to anyone at any time. There is no need to panic if you have happened to chip your tooth.

Here are a few ways our oral surgeon in 60435 can help:

Tooth Bonding

There are a lot of uses for tooth bonding, one of the most common is repairing a chipped tooth. This procedure doesn’t require any numbing and is quick and easy.

When finished, your teeth will look perfectly natural, because the materials used are designed to match the color of your teeth. They will look good as new without people even knowing you chipped it in the first place.

Dental Crown

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that slips over a damaged tooth, then it is cemented in place to help protect it. Dental crowns provide durability and the strength that your teeth need to get through everyday use and cleaning.

The dentist will most likely use a crown made of porcelain or zirconia that will be tailored to look the exact same color as the rest of your teeth. Ask the dentist to see if you would only need a partial crown if the chip doesn’t affect the entire tooth.

Porcelain Veneers

This is the final and most permanent option out of the three. Porcelain laminate veneers are constructed of several thin layers of ceramic which are bonded right to the natural teeth with a special adhesive. These are a great way to make your teeth look as good as possible and keep them healthy.

If you have a chipped tooth, contact our oral surgery office in Plainfield, IL today to schedule a consultation and discuss what option may be best for you.

After receiving your dental implant placement, you may be advised by our team to follow a soft food diet lasting from a few days to several weeks. Recommended foods to eat after a dental implant placement include nutrient-rich foods like soft fruits and vegetables, eggs, low-fat dairy, and beans.

All these foods promote healthy healing because of their high nutritional content and being easy on the teeth. Here are some more healthy food ideas recommended by our oral surgeon in 60467 that you can try after your dental implant surgery:

Protein Shakes

Drinking a protein shake is a great way to get needed protein and vitamins into your diet. Mixing protein powder with milk is an easy way to consume what your body needs without being harsh on your teeth.

Make sure to avoid using a straw when drinking your shake for the first few days. We recommend drinking from a glass instead, because the suction from the straw may reopen the surgically repaired site before it has a chance to heal properly.

Cottage Cheese

With its smooth texture and nutrients, cottage cheese is another great protein to add to your recovery diet. This food allows for easy consumption and will help to avoid any potential irritation in the implant area.

Soup

Soup is a great meal to have after dental implant surgery because it is mostly liquid and can be quite filling. Before you eat soup, make sure it is not too hot for your mouth to handle.

Soups and stews are rich in vitamins and nutrients while being very easy to consume. Avoid soups with large, chunky vegetables, or dense and chewy proteins in them to avoid debris getting stuck in the implant area.

If you have any questions about dental implant placement, other food recommendations, or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL today.

Are you looking to restore the form and function of your teeth? Periodontal plastic surgery may be the answer. This type of surgery can help support your teeth and give a healthier appearance by removing the tissues in your mouth that have been affected by disease, injury, or are aesthetically unappealing to you.

Reconstructing the gums can increase the longevity of your teeth and provide the appearance that you are looking to achieve.

Your treatment options include:

Behavioral Changes

The most conservative approach of all, includes basic lifestyle changes. Our oral surgeon in 60467 shares how stepping up your daily oral care regimen and quitting smoking are two of the most common ways to avoid periodontal disease and the need for corrective surgery.

Deep Cleaning

A deep removal of the tartar and plaque that has accumulated above and below the gum line. This procedure is more thorough than a typical cleaning you would receive at the dentist, and it can prevent further damage that will result from advanced and untreated periodontal disease.

Surgical Therapy

Whether you have a ‘gummy smile’, uneven gums, or are suffering from advanced periodontal disease, we can address these issues by removing excess tissue and then sculpting the gum line to create the ideal smile for you.

Gum grafts and other root coverage procedures are designed to protect vulnerable roots from decay while reducing the appearance of gum recession.

After a tooth is lost or removed, ridge augmentation surgery may be needed to address the void that can result from a receding jaw bone. This empty space is then filled in, repairing the natural contour of the jaw and gum line. A new dental implant can then be added that is natural looking, easy to clean, and replicates your natural smile.

By choosing periodontal plastic surgery, your mouth can be restored through advanced soft tissue and hard-tissue replacement and regeneration. These types of surgery are designed to encourage attachment, normal function, and to give you the attractive, natural looking smile you are looking for.

To learn more about periodontal plastic surgery, or to schedule a consultation, please contact our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL today.

Did you know that up to 40% of all dental injuries occur during sports? Even when participating
in non-contact sports there is always the risk of impact to the face from a ball, the ground, or another person. These injuries often happen to the teeth, mouth, or face and can be very serious.

According to the american Association of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, it is recommended that appropriate protective headgear and a mouthguard be worn by every person participating, no matter what sport they play. When these two things are worn correctly, the risk of trauma from an impact to the head or mouth is drastically reduced.

There are 3 different types of sports mouth guards available:

Stock Guards

These kinds of mouth guards are pre-made and are available to purchase at your local sporting goods store or online. Although convenient, these tend to be uncomfortable because they are not made to fit your mouth properly and provide less protection

Boil and Bite Guards

The way this guard works is that it is designed to be softened in boiling water before using it. Once the guard is ready, the wearer bites down on it to create an impression for their teeth to mold to it. These are a better option than a stock mouth guard because they have a better fit.

Custom Guards

More durable than a stock guard, or a boil and bite guard, custom guards are made from impressions done by our 60467 oral surgeon in the office and they are the most accurate fit for your teeth. With our help, you will be able to choose which type of mouth guard is the best for you.

Every year, over 5,000,000 teeth are injured or knocked out and around $500,000,000 is spent on treatment. If any of your teeth have been injured or knocked out, can provide you with immediate instructions. With prompt care, teeth can often be saved and even reimplanted.

If you would like custom guards created for you or your family, contact our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL today to schedule a consultation.

After going through oral surgery, it is important to take extra care of your mouth for at lease a few days after the procedure. Our experienced oral surgeon in 60467 is determined to make sure that your mouth heals up as quickly as possible after any treatment.

It can be helpful to learn about what kind of foods to avoid following surgery and which foods will help you heal properly and as quickly as possible.

After surgery, your mouth will likely be very sensitive for the first few days. During the healing process, you should avoid foods that will be painful for irritated and inflamed soft tissues. These include hot or cold food or beverages, spicy, and acidic foods.

Foods that involve a lot of chewing can cause bleeding, slow down healing, and in some cases, cause infection. You should also avoid hard foods like potato chips which can be extremely harsh on the mouth, causing pain and possible injury to recently treated areas.

A helpful tip would be to avoid drinking through a straw which can strain areas that are sensitive and can be very harmful. Drinking straws should be avoided during the first few days following your procedure.

What foods can you eat? In the first 24 hours following your procedure, you should stick to eating soft or mushy foods that don’t involve a lot of chewing.

Here are some options to consider:

● Banana smoothies – delicious and filling and they also contain valuable nutrients.

● Soft fruits – easy to eat and tasty options include applesauce, mandarin orange slices in juice, seedless watermelon, and avocado.

●Warm soup – broths and soups without large, chunky ingredients can help bring your strength back to life.

● Mashed potatoes – a soft, warm, and filling dish which will make you feel like you’ve eaten a whole meal. Jazz it up with some shredded cheese for more flavor

● Puddings and gelatin – two great options to get in some needed calories, and will decrease soreness and stiffness following your surgery. They are gentle on the stomach as well as the mouth.

If you still have questions or concerns, please contact our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL for more advice on post-surgery care and the food options that will work best for you.