General Questions

Table of Contents

CAN ORAL SURGERY BE PERFORMED WHEN A PATIENT IS PREGNANT?

Elective oral surgical procedures are typically not performed on patients that are pregnant because of the potential risk to the baby. Urgent procedures will require consultation with the patient’s obstetrician. The safest time to have an oral surgical procedure performed is the second trimester (between the third and sixth weeks). A healthy dental condition is important especially during pregnancy. Routine care by a general dentist before and during pregnancy should be performed. Patients should ask their dentist and obstetrician about dental care and dental treatment.

HOW DOES DR. MARANON MANAGE PAIN IN HIS PATIENTS AFTER SURGERY?

Surgery is surgery, and it is not possible for patients to feel nothing after surgery. The goal is to make the recovery as comfortable and fast as possible while having as few side effects as possible. Dr. Maranon manages pain in many ways. The first is through education. Patients learn what to expect at every stage of their recovery. They are also informed about how they should take care of themselves and things they can do to manage their pain and speed their recovery. Dr. Maranon also uses Opioid Sparing Multi-Modal Analgesia. This involves the use of multiple medications and therapeutic modalities to make the post-operative experience comfortable for his patients. Multi-Modal Analgesia is discussed with patients after a thorough review of the patient’s medical history and a complete examination. The risks and benefits of post-operative pain management will also be discussed at the pre-operative consultation. Even though Dr. Maranon uses an opioid-sparing technique, post-operative pain is managed on an individualized basis with consultation with the patient.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING OPIOIDS AFTER SURGERY?

Opioids are sometimes needed to manage post-surgical pain because of their analgesic (painkilling) effects. But the side effects of these medications can be significant. These side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, drowsiness, impaired thinking skills, poor respiratory function, and the potential risk of addiction. Therefore, these medications should be used at the smallest dose effective for the shortest possible time because of the risks associated with opioids and their potential side effects. Studies have shown that the effective implementation of Enhance Recovery After Anesthesia protocols and Multi-Modal Analgesia can significantly reduce the need for opioids after surgery.

WHAT ARE TORI AND DO THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED?

Tori, or exostosis, are bony protuberances that are outside the normal structure of the bone. They occur in 25% of people. Tori can be found on the roof of the mouth, on the inside of the lower jaw, or even on the outside of the upper or lower jaws. Not all tori needs to be removed. Typically, they are removed when they are increasing in size and interfering with function. Frequently, patients say my dentist can’t take x-rays on me anymore because of these bony outgrowths. Some patients also complain that food gets caught underneath them or they are affecting their speech, displacing their tongue, and making it difficult to eat. It is Dr. Maranon’s opinion that when someone starts experiencing any of these conditions they should be evaluated for removal. The recovery for tori removal is faster when they are removed when they are smaller.

HOW DO ORTHODONTISTS AND ORAL SURGEONS WORK TOGETHER?

Frequently, orthodontists and oral surgeons collaborate treatment crowding due to inadequate space or sometimes excessive space. Treatments can involve a large array of procedures from extraction of teeth, exposure of teeth, surgical placement of anchorage devices, and up to including jaw surgery.

WHY DO BABY TEETH (DECIDUOUS TEETH) NEED TO BE EXTRACTED?

There are many reasons for the extraction of deciduous teeth. Sometimes deciduous teeth can be decayed and cause pain and infection. Occasional deciduous teeth do not fall (exfoliate) out normally. This may be due to the malposition of the permanent tooth that replaces that deciduous tooth. If the patient has orthodontic concerns, deciduous teeth are extracted in coordination with orthodontic treatment early (serial extraction) to shorten orthodontic treatment and create a more predictable orthodontic result.

WHAT IS AN EXPOSE AND BOND PROCEDURE?

Any tooth can be impacted because of crowding of teeth or malposition. In some cases, the decision is made to extract those teeth out of functional considerations. Some teeth are particularly important to function. In those cases, the decision may be made to surgically expose the impacted tooth and bond an orthodontic bracket to it (expose and bond). The patient will then be referred back to the orthodontist who will slowly reposition the tooth into its normal position.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

There are a lot of options to replace missing teeth. Making the decision to replace missing teeth can be overwhelming because of the many viable options. There are traditional replacements such as dentures, partial dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants if someone loses all their teeth. Dentures are removable but can be used to replace all the missing teeth. Partial dentures are used to replace a fewer number of teeth and are secured by wires or clasps to other teeth. Dental bridges are tooth replacements that are attached to adjacent teeth. While all of these are options, they are a compromise to a natural healthy natural tooth. This is what makes dental implants different. Dental implants replicate tooth roots. This makes them the most stable and comfortable option in tooth replacement.

There have been many advances in implant dentistry over the years. The advent of implant design, 3D imaging, virtual implant design, and guided implant placement makes the option of dental implants more accessible to more people. Dental implants are the most effective, functional, and aesthetic tooth replacement option. Dental implants can be used to replace individual teeth. They can be used to support bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. Implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants may also be used to support dentures, offering more stability. There are many factors that need to be considered to determine if a person is a candidate for dental implants. Many of these factors are personal. Each person has unique needs and expectations. Some of those factors are related to the persons presenting condition. At the consultation, Dr. Maranon reviews these factors. After that review, his patients will determine what are their best treatment alternatives.

Do You Have Missing Teeth or Serious Pain in Your Teeth or Jaw?

Call Us Now to Reclaim a Pain-Free, Confident Smile!

Call us: 818-990-5500