Humans have two upper (maxillary) canines and two lower (mandibular) canines. Canine teeth are sometimes referred to as cuspids, fangs, or “eye teeth” because of their direct positioning beneath the eyes. Canine teeth have thicker and more conical roots than incisors and thus have an especially firm connection to the jaw. Canine teeth often have…
An oral exam is routinely performed by the dentist during the course of an initial comprehensive exam and regular check-ups. Part of an oral exam refers to the identification and management of diseases pertaining to the maxillofacial and oral regions. The soft tissues of the mouth are normally lined with mucosa, which is special type…
Crown lengthening may be indicated when you have a broken or decayed tooth that requires a crown or bridge treatment but the remaining tooth is too short for placement and retention of the new prosthesis. The treatment then requires surgery to increase the amount of undamaged tooth structure available to support and retain the crown…
Sometimes when an implant or implants, are planned to be placed in the upper jaw molar areas, there may be an inadequate amount of bone height. This is usually caused by expansion of the sinus (air space) from above down into the area where the molar roots used to be. The sinus floor augmentation (bone…
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMSs) undergo extensive training in all aspects of anesthesia during their four year oral surgery hospital residency following dental school. This training includes serving as medical anesthesia residents with fully trained anesthesiologists. They also serve on general surgery and other medical and surgical disciplines just as all surgical residents are required…
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide support and stability for dental appliances such as dentures. Dental implants are artificial roots (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dental surgical specialist. Once the implant has integrated (fused to the bone), this…
Bone grafting is often closely associated with dental restorations such as bridge work and dental implants. In the majority of cases, the success of a restoration procedure can hinge on the height, depth, and width of the jawbone at the implant site. When the jawbone has receded or sustained significant damage, the implant(s) cannot be…
There are many reasons someone may need to have a tooth extraction or multiple teeth removed. These reasons may include decay, cracked tooth, infection, periodontal bone loss, impactions, or in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. Deciduous teeth (baby teeth) may also need removal for some of the same reasons or to make space for the erupting…
Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (top and bottom), near the entrance to the throat. The term “wisdom” stems…