When your oral surgeon suggests that you need a bone graft, it may sound like a terrifying procedure. However, this treatment is a relatively minor procedure that is used more frequently than you may have realized. Bone grafts are frequently used in conjunction with other dental procedures, such as implant placement in an area where the jawbone has weakened.

When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

When a patient lacks sufficient bone structure to support the placement of dental implants, bone grafting is recommended. The body produces new bone cells on a regular basis, but this production can decrease over time. You may eventually not have enough bone in your jaw to provide the strong foundation your teeth require to stay in place. If this is the case, you will most likely benefit from a bone graft.

The following are some of the most common causes of bone density loss:

• Gum disease- It is characterized by chronic inflammation and infection of the gums.
• After tooth extraction—in the empty space where teeth were extracted.
• Prior to implant placement
• Injury or trauma to the mouth or facial areas
• Defects in development

How Dental Bone Grafts Work

This surgical procedure can be used to rebuild or repair bone. It works by implanting bone tissue in the area of bone loss. The tissue is then used by the body to generate new cells and recreate the bone in that location.

A small piece of bone is removed from another part of your jaw or body during the procedure. Artificial bone can also be used. Other bone graft tissues, such as those from a cow, can be obtained. Another option is to implant a bone graft made of phosphorous, calcium, and hydroxylapatite.

A “socket graft” is the most common type of bone graft. This procedure prevents the socket from collapsing and preserves the structure for implant placement. After the socket graft is finished, you will have to wait 4–6 months before the implant can be placed.

Preventing Bone Loss

Following the completion of your bone graft, it is critical that you follow the recovery instructions. Furthermore, to avoid future bone loss, you should be proactive in preventing gum disease.

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
• Take special care to clean gently around the gum lines.
• Floss your teeth at least once per day. 
• Check in with your dentist on a regular basis.

If you have any questions about the bone graft procedure, please contact our oral surgery office to make an appointment for a consultation.

We tend to overlook the temporomandibular joint’s function and purpose until it gives us reason to be concerned. If this important joint becomes injured or infected, it can lead to many problems with our ability to speak and chew properly. When you experience discomforts such as muscle pain or headaches when trying to open and close your mouth, you may be suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder, also called TMD.

Our oral surgery office understands the frustration of discomfort extending to the back and shoulders, so we use our extensive knowledge to treat the aches and pains associated with TMD.

Understanding temporomandibular disorders

In front of each ear, the temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. It allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, allowing you to talk, chew, and yawn. You may occasionally feel pain in your jaw area, or your dentist or doctor may have diagnosed you with TMD. The temporomandibular joint and chewing muscles are affected by TMD, which is not just a single disorder, but a group of painful conditions.

What Causes Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD)?

There is no single cause for TMD. Almost anything that causes tension in the jaw and temporal muscles can lead to TMJ problems. Often, multiple factors contribute to the disorder. Injuries to the jaw, face, head, and neck are some of the most common causes of TMD pain.

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching: 

Bruxism occurs when you unconsciously clench your jaw or grind your teeth. The condition affects some people while they are awake, generally due to stress or concentration, while other people experience it while sleeping. Because of the intense pressure being put on your teeth, your bite position can change over time. The result is jaw misalignment, which leads to other associated problems like TMD.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea occurs when your airway collapses while you’re asleep, preventing you from breathing. To open the airway, the lower jaw will clamp down or thrust forward, causing additional stress that will result in TMJ discomfort.

Arthritis

Quite often, individuals with arthritis throughout the body will experience arthritis of the TMJ.

Stress

Stress is often regarded as a major cause of TMD, as it influences involuntary movements throughout the body, such as teeth clenching and grinding, and tension in the neck, head, and shoulders.

Symptoms and Signs

Since TMD consists of several complications, it may be accompanied by a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom of TMJ disorder is pain, especially in the chewing muscles and/or jaw joint.

Other symptoms may include:

• The jaw is locked or limited in movement.
• Pain that affects the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders
• Opening and closing the mouth causes unpleasant popping, clicking, or rough sounds.
• A sudden change in the position of the upper and lower teeth
• Migraines and headaches
• Earaches
• Dizziness
• Hearing difficulties

Treatment of TMJ

Because TMD issues tend to be temporary and often do not get worse, simple treatment may be sufficient to relieve discomfort, including

• Physical therapy that focuses on stretching and relaxing muscles.
• The short-term use of muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory
• Night-guards
• Splints

Although conservative therapies are helpful for temporarily relieving pain and muscle spasms, they are not a “cure” for TMD. Surgery may be an option if other treatments are not sufficient, such as

• The injection of pain relievers with treatments such as BOTOX®
• A modified condylotomy procedure can be used to reduce or prevent jaw locking.
• Repositioning the TMJ disc with a procedure called a discectomy

TMD not only affects your day-to-day life but also your oral and overall health. TMD treatment restores normal jaw function and relieves joint stress so that you can return to your normal life.

Our oral surgery practice provides compassionate, innovative, and experienced treatment for TMD patients. If you would like more information about our TMD treatment options, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment.

In the past, oral cancer was most commonly associated with older men, typically those with a history of smoking. Many of the patients with oral cancer are younger, and many of them don’t smoke. Women are getting oral cancer at an accelerated rate. We should be aware and vigilant about the fact that oral cancer isn’t just something that affects the elderly. Learn what you can do to protect yourself from this devastating disease and how a visit with an oral surgeon can help you.

Facts about oral cancer

The U.S. will lose more than 10,000 men and women to oral cancer this year. Approximately 25% of oral cancer cases occur in patients younger than 55, but the average age of diagnosis is 62. 

You can get oral cancer in almost any part of your mouth. Cancer commonly occurs on the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, tonsils, and gums. The disease is rarely painful, especially in its early stages. Often, it is only discovered after it has spread, making treatment more challenging and reducing survival rates.

Why Does Oral Cancer Affect Younger Patients?

Oral cancer is well known to be associated with tobacco use. The combined effects of alcohol and tobacco can significantly increase the risk of cancer in patients who consume a lot of alcohol. Oral cancer remains a significant health risk due to tobacco and alcohol use, but doctors are seeing more cases of oral cancer occurring in patients without a history of tobacco use. 

HPV exposure, a common STD, is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. With more than 200 HPV strains, most of us will contract the virus at least once in our lifetimes due to changes in sexual habits. Most strains of HPV are harmless, but some, including the very common HPV 16, can cause cancer. Several types of cancer are linked to HPV 16, including anal, oral, penile, and cervical. Oral cancer is now the most common HPV-associated cancer, surpassing cervical cancer.

How Can I Prevent Oral Cancer?

Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to cancer. If you make these lifestyle changes, your risk for oral cancer can be reduced. 

• The use of tobacco should be avoided. The use of tobacco is a major risk factor for many types of cancer, including oral cancer. Do not use tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snuff. If you already use tobacco, you should think about quitting. Tobacco use increases your health risks. Stopping tobacco use at any age can reduce your risk of cancer. 
• Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Heavy drinking increases the risk of oral cancer. If you choose to drink, the American Cancer Society recommends that you limit yourself to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.
• Vaccinate for HPV: HPV 16, a form of the human papillomavirus, increases the risk of many cancers. The virus can also be prevented with vaccines. Consult your doctor about HPV vaccinations. 
• Sunscreen is essential for protecting your lips. If you’re going to be outside, apply a lip protectant that contains SPF. 
• Boost Your Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Fruits and vegetables have shown a preventative effect on many types of cancer. Fill your plate with fruits and vegetables in abundance. 

Oral cancer screenings are extremely important.

If caught early, oral cancer can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body. Oral surgeons are trained to look for signs of oral cancer and precancerous changes like erythroplasia and leukoplakia. You should visit your dentist or an oral surgeon regularly for screenings. 

It is also valuable to conduct a self-examination. Patients should examine their mouth, neck, and tongue monthly for changes. If you observe any of these signs, contact our oral surgery office as soon as possible.

• White or red patches around the mouth
• Sores that don’t heal within 14 days
• A lump or thickening of the skin and tissues of the mouth.
• Hoarseness or sore throat.
• You have trouble chewing or swallowing.
• Masses or lumps on the neck

The mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Be familiar with it. Tell us if you notice anything unusual. We’re here to help diagnose and treat problems before they become more serious. Don’t ignore changes in your oral health.

Older people are not the only ones at risk for oral cancer. Make an appointment for an oral cancer screening by contacting our oral surgery office today.

Wisdom teeth are often referred to as third molars and have traditionally been removed to reduce the risk of infection and crowding. Yet, some recent research suggests that these extraction methods may pose more of a risk to patients than a benefit. Our oral and maxillofacial surgery office can help you determine if you should remove your wisdom teeth or if it is safe to leave them in place.

Some say to leave healthy teeth alone.

Even when discussing wisdom teeth removal, the principle of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” still applies. If the wisdom teeth are healthy and not causing any problems, we often tell our patients that they don’t need to be extracted. Therefore, your third molars can stay if they are:

• Healthy and show no signs of decay
• The teeth have fully erupted through the gums.
• correctly positioned and fitting into your natural bite
• Brushing and flossing are possible.

It takes time for your wisdom teeth to fully erupt, which is the biggest obstacle to keeping your teeth. Although you may notice these teeth beginning to break through your gums at age 17 or 18, they won’t fully emerge until age 25.

Better safe than sorry.

The majority of the time, the dental community removes wisdom teeth. Their philosophy of “better safe than sorry” has proven effective. Approximately two-thirds of the time, wisdom teeth cause problems in the mouth when left in place. They’re difficult to clean, prone to cavities, and can cause gum disease.

Make sure they do not cause crowding.

The most common problem with letting wisdom teeth fully develop is that there is not enough space for the teeth to erupt fully. In addition to crowding your other teeth, your third molars could affect your overall alignment.

Crowded teeth can not only affect how your teeth align, but they can also cause gum disease and tooth decay. In situations where there is not enough room for wisdom teeth to fully erupt, the teeth may erupt at the wrong angle, creating an opening for germs and bacteria to enter your gums. Furthermore, an impacted wisdom tooth can put you at risk of infection as well as cause issues with crowding.

You should consider wisdom tooth extraction if you experience any of these symptoms.

• Regular pain or discomfort
• Recurring infections
• The development of cysts or tumors
• show signs of gum disease.
• Symptoms of tooth decay

Consult with an oral surgeon.

Schedule a consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon to determine if your wisdom teeth should be removed. They can take X-rays, examine your mouth, and recommend the best course of treatment, weighing the pros and cons of removing your wisdom teeth.

The removal of your wisdom teeth is not without risk, just like any dental procedure. Some conditions may arise, including

• An infection
• Bleeding
• Numbness
• Increased swelling

If you have your wisdom teeth removed and you experience severe swelling or bleeding or see signs of infection, contact your oral surgeon right away.

Contact our oral surgery office for more information about wisdom teeth or to schedule a consultation.

Is there a chance that you will still have your wisdom teeth? If so, you may wonder if they should be extracted. Some people simply do not have wisdom teeth, but the majority of those who do need them extracted. About 75% of people need to have their wisdom teeth removed. Keeping this in mind, read on to discover a few common reasons for this procedure and some warning signs to watch out for shared by our 60467 oral surgeon.

Wisdom teeth often don’t have the space to grow properly and create problems for your other teeth. By taking X-rays and scanning your mouth and jaw, dentists and oral surgeons can predict problems with your wisdom teeth before they occur, so you may not feel pain when they recommend having them removed.

Wisdom teeth can erupt at various angles, sometimes horizontally, and can lead to a variety of complications, including:

• Being completely hidden inside the jaw and becoming impacted. It is sometimes possible that impacted wisdom teeth can cause pathologies such as cysts and tumors.
• The teeth only emerge partially through the gums, which creates a passageway for bacteria. Partially emerged wisdom teeth provide an opportunity for bacteria to grow, which increases the chances of gum disease or infection.
• Crowding the nearby teeth. Wisdom teeth may crowd other teeth or damage them if they don’t have enough space when they emerge.

Do so-called “healthy” wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Regardless of whether your wisdom teeth come through normally or have been detected on x-rays and seem to pose no problem, you should still consider wisdom tooth removal to avoid future dental problems. Wisdom teeth may reposition themselves at any time while embedded in the gum tissue. These situations can quickly lead to impaction and infection.

Additionally, wisdom teeth are more likely than other teeth to develop cavities. They are located very far back in the mouth and are therefore difficult to reach. People tend to have difficulties brushing and flossing their wisdom teeth properly, so they develop cavities more rapidly than other teeth.

Here are some warning signs that you should be on the lookout for.

• You’re having trouble opening your mouth.
• An ongoing problem with bad breath
• Jaw pain or stiffness.
• Gums that are swollen, tender, or bleeding.
• It’s tough to chew.

You should schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon if you notice any of these warning signs. From there, they can take a look at what’s going on beneath the surface and perform a visual exam. Depending on their findings, they might recommend having your wisdom teeth removed. Remember, you can be symptom-free yet still require wisdom tooth removal. This is why biannual dental checkups and cleanings are so important. Routine dental visits allow your dentist to monitor any changes, particularly with wisdom teeth.

Our oral surgery office is experienced in the safe and comfortable removal of wisdom teeth. We invite you to schedule an appointment to our Orland Park, IL oral surgery office today.

Smoking and chewing tobacco can certainly cause serious health problems, particularly for the lungs, but they can also cause extensive, alarming damage to your teeth and gums. You may find that it is tough to break habits, but our oral surgeon in Orland Park agrees that breaking this habit will prove to be beneficial in more ways than one. 

Using tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting your teeth’s attachment to bone and soft tissue. In particular, smoking may impair the normal function of gum tissue cells. The interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections, including periodontal disease; it also seems to impair blood flow to the gums, making wound healing more difficult as well. Smokers are likely to experience bone loss, which may eventually require oral surgery to correct.

Chewing tobacco

According to a recent study conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), chewing tobacco users are 50 times more likely to develop malignant diseases in their gums and cheeks. In addition to causing gum problems, chewing tobacco also causes roots to become exposed, resulting in sensitivity. This provides the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, resulting in tooth decay. The use of chewing tobacco may also impair one’s sense of taste and smell, lead to bad breath and mouth sores, and may lead to gum disease.

Smoking

One pack of cigarettes a day can result in the loss of two teeth every decade, according to a study by the Academy of General Dentistry. Tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars, adversely affect oral health. In addition to causing oral health problems, smoking can also cause cancer in the throat, esophagus, and stomach. Nicotine and tar from cigarettes can also enter your teeth through cracks and become embedded there. As a result, you will develop stains on your teeth that you will not be able to remove with normal brushing.

Cancerous growths can be found in a variety of locations in the mouth, including the tongue, lips, mouth floor, and gums. Although oral cancer is much more common in people over 50, recent studies have shown that oral cancer is also on the rise among people under 30. 

The use of nicotine results in significant bone loss in many of our oral surgery patients, requiring a bone graft. The removal of cancerous lesions in the mouth is another common oral surgery procedure due to nicotine use. If you have ever used nicotine or use it currently, please contact our office to schedule an appointment to our oral surgery office in Orland Park, IL so that we may perform a full oral cancer screening.

Diabetes affects almost 26 million people in the United States. It affects every part of your body, including your mouth. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to experience oral health problems. Oral surgeons are fully aware of the increased risks associated with patients who have diabetes. Here’s what you need to know.

The effects of diabetes on oral health

High blood sugar is linked to diabetes and oral health problems. Having poorly controlled blood sugar can result in poor oral health. Uncontrolled diabetes weakens white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against bacterial infections in the mouth. A person with diabetes should constantly monitor their blood glucose levels. When diabetes is not controlled, high glucose levels in saliva promote the growth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to infection, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Research has also shown that gum disease can damage your glycemic control, so you are more likely to develop diabetes and are less likely to maintain your health.

Symptoms to watch for

A diabetic may be at a greater risk of developing oral or periodontal problems, which can lead to bone loss requiring oral surgery. See your dentist regularly and watch out for the following symptoms:

• A fungus that infects the mouth, known as oral thrush,
• An unpleasant taste or smell is caused by bad breath.
• Gums that bleed easily because they are tender and swollen 
• Dry mouth
• Mouth ulcers or sores
• Experiencing discomfort while chewing

How diabetes may affect your oral surgery

• Blood sugar levels can delay the recovery process after oral surgery.
• It can affect your body’s ability to regenerate bone tissue by affecting the hormones that regulate how calcium and phosphorus, which are needed for bone building, are metabolized in the body.
• In some cases, diabetes may affect the success rate of a dental implant.

Here are some tips on preventative care.

When you have diabetes, there are several ways to take care of your oral health. According to your physician’s recommendations, you can reduce the amount of sugar your teeth are exposed to by managing your blood glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends using toothpaste that contains an anti-gingival or antibacterial agent to protect your gums. Furthermore, you should see your dentist two times a year. Be sure to floss regularly to avoid gum issues, as this can lead to bone loss. If you lose bone tissue, you may require a bone graft, a procedure that requires oral surgery.

We suggest a consultation with our oral surgeon if you have concerns about your oral health and possible bone loss due to diabetes. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation.