Friday, February 10, 2012

Wisdom teeth removal and what to expect in Charlotte NC


Wisdom teeth removal is an experience that most adults in Charlotte NC will have at some point in their lives. But believe it or not, there are some people who do not require the removal of their wisdom teeth. These lucky people will have wisdom teeth coming in straight and they will also have healthy gums surrounding those teeth. For the rest of us, however, it is very common for wisdom teeth to come in at an odd angle which can cause a lot of problems.

How can wisdom teeth cause problems and what is the solution?

Wisdom teeth might grow in sideways or stay partially or completely covered by the gums. In these cases, the badly aligned wisdom teeth can push against the other teeth and create a whole host of difficulties within the mouth.  Bite misalignments, misalignment of surrounding, gum infections, pain, toothaches, and other such problems may develop. That is when it is time to call in the expert oral surgeon at Southpark Center.

Most of the time, it is in the best interest of patients to have their wisdom teeth completely removed. In most cases, the earlier the procedure is done, the better. Wisdom teeth removal procedures performed at an earlier stage prove to have less risk of complication and there is less chance that the new wisdom teeth will have caused any kind of damage or misalignments to the jaw and surrounding teeth.

Is it only oral surgeons who perform wisdom tooth extraction?

Both general dentists and oral surgeons perform wisdom tooth extraction procedures. Whether or not you will be required to see an oral surgeon to have your wisdom teethremoval taken care of largely depends on the complexity of your individual circumstance. However, some people may prefer to go to an oral surgeon for their wisdom tooth extraction simply because they feel more comfortable under the care of an experienced maxillofacial surgeon.

In fact, Charlotte NC residents who wish to go to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal procedures can visit the oral surgery offices of Dr. Kevin Bond at The Southpark Center. At The Southpark Center in Charlotte NC, Dr. Kevin Bond will perform a detailed examination of your teeth that includes x-rays in order to determine whether or not your wisdom teeth are aligned properly and whether or not they pose the threat of causing dental issues in the future. In this regard, it is generally recommended that patients go to their dentist or oral surgeon during the middle of their teenage years for a wisdom tooth evaluation.

Typically, Dr. Kevin Bond performs wisdom tooth extraction procedures while his patients are under local anesthesia. In some cases, general anesthesia may be necessary or preferred by the patient. After the procedure has been performed, patients will receive an appointment to return one week following the surgery in order to have their sutures removed.

Get in touch with Dr. Kevin Bond for your wisdom tooth extraction today

If you live near Charlotte NC, and would like to learn more about Dr. Kevin Bond and wisdom teeth removal, get in touch with The Southpark Center today!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

First visit to an oral surgeon in Charlotte NC?

Oral surgeons are special types of surgeons who help people by performing oral surgery to correct problems in their jaw, mouth, neck, head, face, teeth and gums. In fact, it might be best to think of an oral surgeon as a surgeon who specializes in almost everything from the neck up. Some kinds of oral surgery will even help patients who suffer from sleep apnea.

In Charlotte NC, patients who need to visit an oral surgeon can go to Dr. Kevin Bond at The Southpark Center. Dr. Kevin Bond and his team of professionals are deeply concerned about the quality of your experience under their care. This concern becomes apparent as soon as you walk into the doors of their beautiful and comfortable offices. Also, as soon as you meet Dr. Kevin Bond and shake his hand, you will be met with a warm bedside manner that is reassuring.

What should I expect on my first visit to a Charlotte oral surgeon?


If you come to The Southpark Center in Charlotte NC, you will likely have been referred to Dr. Kevin Bond by your primary care physician or by your general dentist. Or, maybe you heard about Dr. Kevin Bond through a friend, advertisement, or your insurance provider. Either way, here is what you can expect and what you can do to prepare for your first visit.

On your first visit, you will receive a consultation and examination by Dr. Kevin Bond and he will diagnose your condition while providing you with options for treatment. In some cases, you can actually receive surgery on the exact same day as your initial consultation, but in most cases – especially ones that involve a medical history that is particularly complex – you will need to return on another day to receive your treatment after Dr. Kevin Bond has had adequate time to review your complete medical background.

What should I bring when visiting a Charlotte oral surgeon?


There are several things that you can bring with you on your first visit to the oral surgeon that will help with the medical evaluation. First, bring a list of any pharmaceutical drugs that you are currently taking. Second, bring with you any x-rays that are applicable to your problem as well as the surgical referral paper from your doctor.  Finally, you can save time for you and your oral surgeon if you bring with you documentation regarding your medical and dental insurance.

If your procedure will require complete IV anesthesia, it will be necessary for Dr. Kevin Bond to perform a physical exam and preoperational consultation. You will also be required to avoid eating and drinking for eight hours before surgery and you will need to have someone available to pick you up and drive you back to your house after oral surgery.


Want to know more about oral surgery?


Dr. Kevin Bond at The Southpark Center in Charlotte NC, and his expert staff, are available to answer any questions regarding oral and maxillofacial surgery that you may have. If you want to know more, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with them, get in touch with The Southpark Center today.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Oral surgeons use bone grafting to help South Charlotte patients with dental implants

Oral surgeons are unique in the field of dentistry for their extensive medical and surgical training following dental school, as well as the array of procedures they are trained and qualified to perform on Charlotte patients. With a minimum of four years in a hospital-based surgical residency program, oral surgeons focus their training almost exclusively on the hard (bone), and soft (skin, muscle) tissue of the face, mouth and jaws. Maxillofacial refers to the jaw and face, and maxillofacial surgery by oral surgeons specifically involves these areas. Dental implants and bone grafting are two maxillofacial surgery procedures routinely performed by oral surgeons.

Oral surgeons pioneered field of implant dentistry

A little more than 20 years ago, oral surgeons pioneered the field of implant dentistry, and now they are forging new trails with bone grafting. Dental implants are becoming more common and even routine, with oral surgeons replacing the older, more cumbersome fixed bridges or dentures with comfortable, long-term dental implants. Using maxillofacial surgery techniques, oral surgeons surgically implant steel posts, or anchors, into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration. After 20 years of service, the first recipients of dental implants by oral surgeons using maxillofacial surgery are still satisfied and report the implants work as good as the day they were put in place.

Sometimes, when teeth are missing due to extraction, gum disease, or injuries, the jawbone associated with the missing teeth shrinks or is reabsorbed, resulting in a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants by oral surgeons. It used to be the case that these patients would not be good candidates for implant dentistry. Now, through oral and maxillofacial surgery advances, bone can be grown in the area it is needed with a procedure called bone grafting. Oral surgeons use bone obtained from a tissue bank, or the patients own bone from the jaw, hip, or tibia, which is located below the knee.

Bone grafting opens door to dental implants for all patients

Bone grafting may sound a bit too much like Frankenstein and his monster, but really, it is a routine and safe maxillofacial surgery procedure that has opened the door of dental implants to patients who would otherwise have no other choice but to use dentures or dental bridges. Your Charlotte area oral surgeon at SouthPark Oral Surgery has years of experience and training in bone grafting to help make dental implants a reality for those who want the convenience and comfort this oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Oral surgeons have pioneered many of the oral and maxillofacial surgery techniques we take for granted. South Charlotte residents who are interested in bone grafting and dental implants should call the oral surgeon at SouthPark Oral Surgery today for information on this specialized procedure.