Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery Blog

If you’ve been told that you need to have a troublesome tooth removed, it is natural to have questions. Many patients experience anxiety around dental appointments, especially when it involves an extraction. For instance, you might wonder whether other treatments can help or if the procedure will hurt.

Typically, your dentist only recommends this solution when the affected tooth is too injured to be repaired with another option like a filling, root canal, or dental crown. Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect from your extraction to set your mind at ease!

You can generally expect your dentist to do everything within their power to protect and preserve your natural teeth. As a result, it’s natural to feel surprised or even shocked if they’ve recently recommended an extraction, especially if you didn’t anticipate needing one. You might question whether this procedure is truly necessary or wonder how removing a tooth can benefit your oral health.

Rest assured, your provider wouldn’t suggest taking a troublesome tooth out if they didn’t believe it was the best way to protect and preserve your smile. Continue reading to learn more about three of the advantages of having a dental extraction!

Dental implants have transformed tooth replacement by offering exceptional durability, often lasting 30 years or more. This makes them a more long-lasting option compared to dentures and dental bridges, which usually need to be replaced more frequently. While dental implants boast a success rate of over 95%, there’s still a small chance of failure. To extend the life of your implants and maintain a strong, enduring smile, it’s important to adhere to specific care practices. Keep reading to learn key tips for ensuring your dental implants remain secure.

In recent years, dental implants have been recognized by both patients and practitioners as one of the most effective methods of replacing teeth. They’re incredibly powerful, capable of giving you powerful bite strength and offering durability far beyond what other styles of tooth replacement can offer.

However, this wasn’t always the case—dental implants have had a long history, and a lot of work has gone in to making them what they are today. If you’re curious, here’s what this evolution looked like.

Unless you’re an insurance professional, understanding dental insurance can be a little challenging. Between the confusing terminology and the litany of numbers, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Thankfully, there’s no need to stress. Dental insurance is a lot easier to understand when you keep these four things in mind.

If your palms sweat when it is time to visit the dentist, or you need dental work, sedation dentistry can provide the comfortable care you need. However, it can be expensive. Although you can use your dental insurance for preventive and restorative services, many policies don’t cover sedation dentistry, but there are exceptions. Here’s what you need to know to keep dental sedation within your budget.

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Dental implants are considered the gold standard when it comes to replacing missing teeth, and for several good reasons. But most notably, it’s due to their unique ability to replace the entire structure of lost teeth! That said, in order to do this, the implants must heal properly—meaning that if you’re about to undergo this process, you have your work cut out for you! That said, you don’t have to feel worried about compromising your recovery at every corner; by knowing what to do and what not to do, you can ensure a smooth healing period and incredible results that will serve you well for decades. Keep reading to learn more!

Getting your wisdom teeth extracted is never a fun time. However, the relief the procedure can provide is notable, allowing you to go through life without pain. Many patients wonder about the stitches that are left behind one the procedure is done. Do you need to have them taken out? Or will they dissolve on their own?

Continue reading to learn all about these wonderful stitches and how they help with your wisdom tooth extraction recovery.

Wisdom tooth extraction surgery can leave your mouth feeling sore, making a good night’s sleep seem like a distant dream. However, adequate rest is essential for healing and minimizing discomfort. But how do you get the sleep you need when your jaw is throbbing?

If you need help getting to dreamland after your wisdom tooth extraction, continue reading.

Even if it’s during the holiday season, undergoing oral surgery can be incredibly important for maintaining the health of your smile. However, it’s natural to worry about whether you can still enjoy your time with your family as well as the festive traditions. Fortunately, there are ways for you to make your healing period much smoother. Read on to learn four ways to make the holidays enjoyable even while recovering from oral surgery.