Oral Surgery

5 Long-Term Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are changing the way that people live their lives. They can eat, speak, and smile without worrying about a missing tooth. A dental implant is a metal post that is inserted into the jawbone of a patient to replace an extracted tooth or teeth. This metal post, or artificial tooth root, acts like the natural tooth root that your teeth once rested on....
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Problems Caused by Impacted Teeth

Many people across the country struggle with different dental issues. Impacted teeth is a common oral/dental problem that can often cause pain and discomfort in the mouth and jaw area. A lot of people often dismiss impacted teeth as a simple toothache, and don’t get the dental care they need in order to address the issue, ultimately leading to worsening problems. What Is an...
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Tips for Caring for Someone After Oral Surgery

If your loved one has experienced oral surgery, they will likely require assistance during recovery. Improper aftercare can result in trauma or infection of the surgical area, so it is vital to be attentive while monitoring their recovery and providing care. Increase your chances of helping your loved one achieve a successful recovery by following the seven tips below: Advocate Rest. After oral surgery,...
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Signs of Facial Trauma: When to See an Oral Surgeon

Facial trauma refers to any injury to the mouth, teeth, jaws, or face. Many people experience some form of facial trauma in their lifetime, whether from a motor vehicle or bicycle accident, a fall, a sporting mishap, or some form of violence. Maxillofacial or oral surgeons specialize in treating these injuries and caring for people who have suffered facial trauma. Some common signs of facial...
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Dental Health – It’s Well Worth the Investment

Oral health, including that of your mouth, teeth and gum tissue, is more important than you might realize. It is an essential part of your overall health and can impact other areas of your body negatively if you don’t take care of yourself. Practicing good dental health is a life-long investment and is worth every effort. The good news is you don’t have to do...
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When Does a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Require Oral Surgery?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing. This stopping and starting of breathing during sleep often manifests as loud snoring. Sufferers often feel tired and unrested even after a long night of sleep. Sleep apnea has three different iterations – obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Any of these, left untreated, can result in daytime...
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Common Reasons for Tooth Loss

As an adult, proper tooth care is essential to keeping all your teeth, and keeping all your teeth is a contributing factor to your overall health, eating habits, and confidence. There’s no tooth fairy visit to look forward to anymore and no promise of another tooth growing in to fill the empty spot. The good news is that adults these days keep their teeth longer...
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Why an Oral Surgeon Should Remove Wisdom Teeth

November 2, 2020

If your family dentist has told you that your wisdom teeth have to come out, you have most likely been referred to an oral surgeon. You may be tempted to ask your dentist to perform the extraction because they make you comfortable or because you fear the word “surgery.” There are many benefits, however, to seeing a surgeon who specializes in this field. A general...
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Dental Referral System: Leading Reach

October 29, 2020

Given our commitment to the health and happiness of our patients, we are always exploring new ways to make dental care more accessible and convenient for you. That is why we’re excited to introduce you to the newest system we’ve adopted at OMSNashville: Leading Reach. Using Leading Reach, we will now be able to get crucial information to you at every step of care, presented...
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Tips for Recovering from a Tooth Extraction

October 22, 2019

Even though our permanent, adult teeth are meant to stay with us, there are some instances where they simply need to be removed. Some issues that force tooth extraction include: Crowded teeth Dental decay Gum disease/Periodontal disease Tooth infection Trauma Impacted teeth Even if you feel a little nervous about an extraction process, it’s good to know that it’s a fairly common procedure that people...
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What Is Double Jaw Surgery?

June 12, 2019

Double jaw surgery is also known as Bi-maxillary Osteotomy. It is a specific type of orthognathic or corrective jaw surgery. Often, oral surgeons perform surgery on one jaw at a time. Double jaw surgery is when they perform surgery on both jaws simultaneously. The purpose of double jaw surgery is to correct both aesthetic and functional skeletal issues. A common condition double jaw surgery addresses...
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Recommended Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

November 8, 2018

After going through any type of surgery, it’s important to follow the appropriate post-surgery procedures to recover. Sometimes, you may have to adjust your lifestyle. After an oral surgery, like wisdom teeth removal, you have the added complication of needing to adjust the foods you eat until your mouth can handle your regular diet. To help the Nashville community make the most of a menu...
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Understanding Apicoectomy Surgery

September 13, 2018

When a nonsurgical root canal fails to save a tooth, your dentist may recommend having an apicoectomy. Below is a guide to some of the most frequently asked questions about apicoectomies to help patients grasp a better understanding of this relatively common oral surgery procedure. What Is an Apicoectomy? An apicoectomy involves an oral surgeon opening the gum tissue next to the tooth to get...
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Surgical Orthodontics: The 3 Kinds A Patient Is Most Likely to Experience

May 22, 2020

Orthodontists address issues in the mouth such as over/under bites, misaligned teeth, impactions, and conditions requiring dental appliances. Often times though, oral surgery is needed to assist orthodontists in their treatment plans. An oral surgeon will then carry out surgeries that address alignment problems in the patient’s mouth. Typically, these are done after growth in the jaw has stopped, which happen between the ages 13...
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Top Tips To Help With Anxiety Before Oral Surgery

January 19, 2020

Whether you have had oral surgery before or it is your first time, you may be a bit apprehensive about your upcoming procedure. While you’re certainly in good hands at OMSNashville, it’s normal to be a bit nervous. Here are a few tips that can help you deal with anxiety before oral surgery and feel more comfortable and relaxed about the procedure. 1. Bring Someone...
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The Top 5 Reasons People See An Oral Surgeon In Nashville

December 3, 2019

Wondering when you may need to see an oral surgeon in Nashville like the team at OMSNashville instead of a general or family dentist? Below is a list of the top 5 most common reasons that people may need to see a specialist for oral surgery in Nashville. To Treat An Impacted Tooth When a tooth is “impacted,” this means it has not fully erupted...
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Preparing for Oral Surgery

May 25, 2016

Oral surgery requires different patient preparation than other surgeries due to the nature of oral procedures. A patient undergoing oral surgery must be aware of what to do before and after surgery to minimize risk and maximize recovery. The Day Before Once you know when your oral surgery will take place, you can begin to prepare. Speak to your dentist for details about your specific...
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Top Tips for Patients Having Oral Surgery

October 1, 2017

If you’re having oral surgery, you’re probably nervous about the whole process. Knowing what to expect can ease anxiety and help both the procedure and your recovery go more smoothly. Prepare yourself and your family with these suggestions. Talk to Your Dentist or Oral Surgeon When your healthcare provider first recommended the procedure, you might have agreed it was necessary, but not yet had time...
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Team Spotlight: Dr. Kevin West

March 2, 2018

Get To Know Dr. Kevin West How long have you been an oral surgeon? 11 years What inspired you to become an oral surgeon? I learned about the specialty by shadowing partners in my practice while attending college. I liked the varied procedures and the ability to provide such a positive impact for patients. What do you enjoy most about being an oral surgeon? The...
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How to Pick an Oral Surgeon

August 11, 2017

While your dentist is an expert at routine care like keeping your teeth clean and filling cavities, some problems require an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons have the skill and knowledge necessary for the following: Removing diseased teeth when it requires anesthesia Repairing facial trauma Reconstructive or cosmetic surgery Surgical treatment for sleep apnea Evaluating cysts and tumors of the mouth and face Planning and placement...
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