South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Blog

Once your adult teeth are all in, it is important to take great care of them and protect them from more than just bacteria. Injuries to the teeth and mouth are common in many sports and can cause teeth loss or chipped teeth. Preventing injury can be accomplished, simply, by wearing a sports mouth guard. A mouthguard is a cushioning appliance made of flexible material that fits snugly over the teeth to help prevent injuries to the teeth and mouth. Visit your dentist to review your options and choose what is best for you.

There are three basic types of mouthguards:

• Pre-made mouthguard
• “Boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard
• Custom-made mouthguard from your dentist

Dental implants are simply used to replace teeth. The implants are titanium posts that are surgically positioned into the jawbone under the gums. Once the implants integrate into the bone, the implants act as an anchor to fixate teeth or crowns. The crowns/teeth fixated to implants are made typically from porcelain or ceramic material custom made to mimic the color and shape of your natural teeth. These implants are as close to to natural teeth and function nearly the same, allowing you to speak clearly and eat nearly any food you like without worry.

Dentures are prosthetic devices that are used to replace missing teeth. There are two types of dentures that can you can choose depending on your needs: full or partial dentures. The professionals at South Florida Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will work with you to determine if dentures are the right option for you. Dentures are custom-made from impressions taken of your mouth and with the advancements in this device, dentures look and feel more natural than ever before.

What are the types of dentures available?

There are three main denture options that are available, and the right option will be determined by you and your medical professional.

If you are wondering about the difference between a dentist and an oral surgeon, you are not alone. Many people do not understand the difference between these two practioners. Oral surgeons undergo formal residency training to become experts in oral surgical procedures including dental implant placement, extractions, wisdom teeth, sedation, and jaw surgery.

Though your wisdom teeth may not be causing you pain, there are several reasons wisdom teeth extraction may be recommended. Many young adults have their wisdom teeth removed as a preventative measure to avoid any future complications the wisdom teeth might cause later in life.