Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Patients at Dr. Dennis Morehart’s practice benefit from the experience and expertise of a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry. That means that Dr. Morehart is knowledgeable about oral surgery and the complications that can arise. To set patients’ minds at ease, we want to explain more about something they may have heard of: osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

The death of exposed jaw bone tissue is extremely rare but there is a small chance of it happening in people who are on bisphosphonate medications. These medications are used to prevent bone resorption. They are often taken in pill form for osteoporosis and through an IV to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy on people with cancer.  Cases of ONJ typically result from the much stronger IV doses.

In the absence of extreme periodontal disease or other infection, the only way jaw bone tissue would be exposed is as the result of a tooth extraction. For this reason, it is wise for patients to get dental work done before starting cancer treatments and to make sure all their medical care providers are fully informed of what the others are doing. But if ONJ does set in, it can be treated with antibiotic rinses.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Risks Associated with Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth tend to appear during the ages of 17-21. They are the final sets of teeth that emerge, but they don’t always erupt. An impacted tooth is a tooth that lies below the gum line and doesn’t have room to erupt because of surrounding teeth. Teeth that are impacted will need to be extracted by Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS to avoid infection and prevent damage to healthy teeth. 

Wisdom teeth can grow sideways, emerge partially, or remain completely trapped below the gum line. When they are trapped, this means that they are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth may cause headaches, pain, swollen gums, and cysts, but it is possible for them to cause no symptoms at all. To determine if wisdom teeth are impacted, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will need to take X-rays to locate their exact position. If teeth are impacted and you are opposed to extraction, you may find yourself with chronic mouth discomfort, misalignment of teeth, and infection of the tooth or gums.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extraction, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

Understanding Dry Sockets

While we work hard at Enid Dental Care to ensure our patients understand their post-operational instructions, complications are possible. One of the most common problems following a tooth extraction is a dry socket, so we want our patients to know how to prevent it and how to recognize if they develop one.

When a tooth is removed, it is very important that a blood clot be allowed to form over the extraction site. Without it, the socket will painfully dry out and be at risk of infection. Patients are advised to avoid sipping through straws immediately following surgery, so as not to knock the clot loose prematurely. It is also wise to forego the use of birth control, as it interferes with clot formation, and to avoid smoking or use of tobacco products (although dentists always recommend that).

When patients do suffer from dry sockets, they will usually feel severe pain about two days after the extraction. Difficulties are more likely to happen following complicated extractions which required the doctor to cut through bone or gum tissue. Patients should request an emergency appointment so they may be provided with painkillers, anti-bacterial pills, and medicated wound dressing to moisten the sockets. The dressings will need to be replaced every few days until the healing is complete, but patients usually make full recoveries.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.