mamaroneck Oral Surgery

Westchester has been experiencing a brutal winter, bringing with it icy sidewalks and driveways and the possibility of slipping and falling. It is important to know what you should do if you chip, fracture, loosen or knock out a tooth before it happens. While minor cases don’t need immediate medical care, some teeth may only be saved by knowing what steps to take and how long you have to get medical help.

What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth?

A minor chip or fracture doesn’t require an emergency call or appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon. The primary reasons you should get your chipped tooth fixed, if the damage is minor, is to protect the soft tissues in your mouth from jagged edges and to keep your smile perfect. This may mean bonding the fracture back with the rest of the tooth or adding a composite to make your tooth look whole. As long as the dental pulp (the center of the tooth which contains all the nerves, connective tissues and blood vessels) is unharmed with a larger chip, it may be as simple as adding a veneer or crown to fix your damaged tooth.

In more severe circumstances a root canal may be necessary: if the pulp has been damaged, if the fracture goes below the gum line, or in some circumstances, if the fracture is vertical. If no foundation for a crown remains, your oral surgeon may need to extract the tooth and replace it with a bridge or dental implant.

What Should I Do If My Tooth Is Loose?

Time to move quickly! If your tooth is luxated (dislodged or pushed out of it’s place in the socket) your oral surgeon needs return the tooth to it’s original position and make sure it is stabilized. Quick action on your part means a better chance at saving your tooth in the long run. While every case is different, most dislodged teeth will require a root canal within 10 days. For children under 12 years old, a root canal is rarely necessary.

What Should I Do If I Knock Out My Tooth?

Seek immediate medical care if your tooth is avulsed (completely displaced from the socket.) Pick up the tooth by the crown, careful to avoid touching the roots. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with saliva or cold water – do not use any cleaners or brush the tooth. You should then try to reposition the tooth in the socket (facing the right way), although parents or caregivers of small children should not do this and risk swallowing the tooth. If you are able to successfully reposition the tooth gently bite on a handkerchief, gauze or a clean cloth to keep it in position. The best chance your tooth has of survival is if it placed back in the socket.

If you are unable to reposition the tooth, place the tooth under the tongue to transport it. For small children you can place the tooth in a glass of milk (or saliva if you have no other option) while you are traveling. Don’t place the dislodged tooth in water. If you are able to get dental or medical care within 30 minutes after following these steps, your chances of keeping the tooth are good.

By reading this blog you’ve already taken the first step toward being prepared for an unexpected dental injury. Add Dr. Elias’ phone number at Mamaroneck Oral Surgery to your phone contacts today, you never know when the closest option will also be the most qualified, (914) 873-0045.

Dental implants may seem like a scary choice, but they are in fact changing the way people live. Designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that function, look and feel like natural teeth, dental implants have become the best way to fix many issues and bring confidence with a new smile.

Dental implants are painful

Every situation is different, and every horror story should be taken with a grain of salt. The three factors involved in understanding the pain levels are: the particulars of your situation, your ability to heal, and the skill and training of your oral surgeon.

It costs too much

While the upfront cost of dental implants may seem daunting, they are designed to last for the rest of your life, unlike a dental bridge, which must be replaced every 7-15 years. Mamaroneck Oral Surgery provides in-office financing options, payment plans and works with many different types of insurance.

The whole process takes too long

The healing process usually takes 2-4 months – a small sacrifice for a solution that will last the rest of your life. Most people find once all the work that has been done that it was well worth the time.

People will notice

Dental implants are designed to look just like your natural teeth and no one will know unless you tell them.

They are difficult to look after

Dental implants don’t require any special care, floss and brush as you would with your natural teeth. There are no concerns about chewing gum or avoiding certain foods that you have to worry about.

I’m not the right candidate for dental implants

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be thoroughly examined and your dental and medical history must be reviewed and considered. According to Dr. Elias, “implants really are for everyone.  Age, health problems and even smoking are not absolute contraindications for implant surgery.”

While any dentist with a valid license can place dental implants, choosing a well trained, skilled and experienced oral surgeon like Dr. Elias will make the process easier and give you confidence in your choice. Call Mamaroneck Oral Surgery today to set up a consultation, (914) 873-0045.

Fear of dental procedures is common with 20% of the population. Patients with high levels of anxiety often put off necessary procedures, leading to more comprehensive actions required, and more time in the oral surgeon’s chair. Like any fear, there are ways to manage your anxiety and make your experience pleasant and successful.

Be comfortable with your dental provider – The first thing you should do, as a patient, is talk to your oral surgeon about your fear. If your doctor is in any way dismissive of your unease, then it is not the right surgeon for you.

Come in for a consultation – Taking time to be comfortable with your oral surgeon, the staff, and the offices is important. Many people react badly to the smell of an office – take your time and make sure you are at ease in your surroundings. Patients with higher anxiety levels sometimes bring a loved one or trusted friend along.

Ask questions – Your surgeon is there to answer all your questions and walk you through your procedure. You can think of questions before your consultation or call back afterwards if you think of something you forgot.

Air out your fears – You are not alone in your fear of dental procedures and your surgeon will understand. Keeping your doctor informed guarantees he or she will take the time to make sure you are as comfortable as you can be.

Keep away from Internet horror stories – The Internet provides a never-ending source of information, but often patients who are scared of a dental procedure only find the horror stories. If you do find yourself fixating on someone else’s bad experience, be sure to bring it up with your oral surgeon.

Remember why you’re there – Whether it is pain and discomfort or aesthetic changes that brought you to your oral surgeon, keep in mind the light at the end of the tunnel: your pain will be alleviated and you will have healthy teeth and a happy smile.

Relax – There are many tips and tricks to help you relax. Some people prefer listening to their own music while others use breathing techniques and meditation. Find what is right for you and go in armed to conquer your fear. Take a few minutes to read about breathing exercises.

Keep in mind that according to surveys taken before and after dental procedures, the pain is not as bad as you are imagining. Contact Dr. Elias at Mamaroneck Oral Surgery to talk about your fears and concerns and schedule a consultation, (914) 873-0045

3D x-ray CT of an impacted wisdom teeth adjacent the inferior alveolar nerve (blue) [source]

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, third molars, are the teeth that are furthest back in the mouth.

How do they become impacted?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow in – usually between age 17 and 21 – and often are unable to erupt completely due to a lack of space. These teeth become impacted or stuck.

Why are impacted wisdom teeth problems?

Wisdom teeth can damage adjacent teeth as they try to erupt. Misaligned teeth can also trap debris such as plaque and food in the gums around them. This can lead to swelling, tenderness of the gums, cavities and periodontal disease. Cysts can form around impacted teeth and become locally destructive to the surrounding bone and teeth.

What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?

Symptoms include pain or tenderness, a bad taste in the mouth, redness around the impacted tooth, difficulty chewing, jaw swelling, bleeding gums, bad breath or even headaches.

Do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

If wisdom teeth grow in completely in the proper position and are aligned correctly with their opposite teeth, they may not need to be removed. As long as they can be cleaned easily on a daily basis and are not disrupting other teeth, you may not need to remove wisdom teeth.

When should they be removed?

It is best to remove wisdom teeth early on, before they are able to develop fully formed roots. This leads to faster healing after the procedure and makes the entire process easier to perform. Wisdom teeth can be removed at any time. It is often advisable to remove them before symptoms arise. The concept that, if the teeth are not bothersome, no treatment is needed might lead to problems that would have been entirely preventable.

If it is time for you to schedule your wisdom tooth extraction, contact Mamaroneck Oral Surgery today, (914) 873-0045.

Sports safety is a concern for many parents. Have you ever seen a child slide into home plate or get hit in the face with a ball? Kids love running around, getting dirty and exerting their energy. But that doesn’t mean they should have to suffer the consequences of a sports injury.

Recently, many football players discovered they are suffering from long term head injuries due to untreated concussions that occurred when they were children. With this as a recent concern for athletes, head injury protection is becoming a top priority for children. But dental protection is also very important.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF) dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury occurring in sports. A hit in the face or a fall can lead to serious oral injury.

There are three types of dental injury: fracture, avulsion, and luxation. A fracture occurs when just a part of the tooth is chipped or broken. An avulsion is when the entire tooth, including the root, is taken out of the mouth. Finally, luxation occurs when the tooth is still inside the socket but was moved into the wrong position.

In order to prevent any of these injuries from occurring, one must take the proper precautions. Having the appropriate equipment is essential. Helmets, shin guards, athletic cups, and knee pads are only some of the protective equipment commonly used by athletes. However, a mouth guard is rarely seen as a mandatory piece of equipment. The use of mouth guards are essential for the protection of teeth. According to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, mouth guards prevent an estimated 20,000 oral injuries in the U.S. every year. An oral injury can be detrimental but mouth guards are very useful in preventing these injuries.

If an injury does occur, it is important to take your child to the dentist immediately. Waiting until the activity is over may be dangerous if a loose tooth falls into the airway. Avulsed teeth may be salvaged if they are reimplanted and luxated teeth may be easily realigned if they are treated in a timely fashion.  Any delay may result in permanent loss of the tooth and complicate the replacement with implants or a bridge. If the tooth was avulsed, knocked out, place it in a cup of milk or have the child place it under their tongue during transport to the dentist. Never clean or brush the tooth off. Oral injuries are never 100% preventable, however using a mouth guard is a great start.

If you are looking for a trustworthy oral surgeon in Westchester County for your young athlete, contact Dr. Elias today at (914) 873-0045.

Above photo by Buddpaul

Because getting wisdom teeth extracted is a surgical procedure, it’s very important to take good care of yourself afterwards. Here are some tips for how to make your recovery process as simple and as fast as possible:

Stick to a soft food and liquid diet. Eat soft foods and drink cool liquids for the first day. Avoid hot and spicy drinks or food, so you do not irritate your mouth.

Take it easy. You should rest as much as possible immediately following your surgery and if you decide to lie down, make sure your head is kept elevated by pillows for the first night after surgery.

Ice up! Put an ice pack on your cheek for the first day for fifteen minutes at a time. This will help keep the swelling down, so you don’t get the infamous chipmunk cheeks!

Rinse out your mouth. But not for the first 24 hours! On the second and third day of recovery, rinse with warm salt water about 4 times a day to help reduce swelling. Make sure you rinse after meals so that no food gets stuck in the extraction site.

Don’t poke at the extraction site. As tempting as it may be, keep your tongue and fingers away from where your wisdom teeth were removed.

Control the bleeding. Your oral surgeon will give you instructions on how to do this, but hold gauze with firm pressure on the area. If the bleeding is heavy, call your oral surgeon.

Take the prescribed painkillers as instructed. Prescribed medication for pain will make you drowsy, so do not drink or drive while you’re on this medication.

Follow after surgery protocol. Avoid straws, spitting or smoking after surgery.