Last month, I saw three patients referred for management of complication from oral surgery done at general dentistry offices. The first patient suffered chronic infection and numbness of her tongue following removal of her wisdom teeth. The second patient had root fragments from a wisdom tooth that were left in place because the dentist could [...]

A patient came to me after her dentist discovered a developing jaw cyst associated with her impacted wisdom tooth. For years, she was told by her previous dentists that there is nothing wrong with her wisdom teeth and there were no reasons to remove them. One of the dentists even noticed the cyst in its [...]

Swelling or puffiness after wisdom teeth extraction is not uncommon and most people come to expect the so called ‘chipmunk’ look for a few days after surgery. Here are four ways to avoid swelling and let you get back to your normal life and eating quickly: Non-invasive surgical technique: This is probably the single most [...]

A CT-scan provides more detailed information about the position of wisdom teeth and their proximity to nerves and sinuses. While not indicated routinely for wisdom teeth, this type of image is helpful for patients who have severe or deeply impacted wisdom teeth and whose oral surgeon is concerned about proximity to nerves, sinuses, or cysts. [...]

Symptoms associated with wisdom teeth can vary from slight discomfort to advanced swelling, significant pain, infection, and pus formation. Early treatment will prevent disease and potentially dangerous complications. Emergency dental treatment is recommended when such symptoms begin. Early inflammation (pericoronitis) is caused by plaque and may cause the following symptoms: pain over the gum near [...]

With the world all a-buzz about radiation levels in airport scanners, one has to wonder about the safety of exposure — or repeated exposure — to dental X-rays. Are they safe? The short answer is, “yes.” But it’s a qualified “yes.” As with any kind of diagnostic X-ray, dental X-rays, including “panoramic”, “full-mouth series”, “bite-wings”, [...]

Faced frequently with patient and parent questions and fears about wisdom teeth surgery, I have authored a book, The Wise Guide to Wisdom Tooth Extraction, as a boon to consumers as well as dentists who can share the book with their patients. It provides current and accurate information about all facets of wisdom teeth treatment [...]

Last week, I found myself in need of a chiropractor — a specialist I have never required before. So I asked a few friends for recommendations of who to see. A physician acquaintance answered with the names of three chiropractors and suggested I pick any of them. Another friend told me she knows of several [...]