Month: January 2019

We’ve become one of the leading providers of procedures from dental implants to emergency wisdom teeth removals in Philadelphia because we always make our patients’ comfort and well-being the highest priority. With that being said, if you have a dental appointment coming up, or you’re thinking about booking one, there’s a couple of things you can take into consideration before you come visit us that we hope will make your visit even more comfortable.

Book the Appointment When You Need It

With dental care, it’s important that you don’t put off the inevitable. In many cases, the longer you wait, the more pain you’ll have to endure while waiting and wondering whether to book an appointment. Waiting too long may make it more difficult to fix the issue, so please try to contact us as soon as you notice the problem.

Transfer Dental Records

If this is your first appointment with us, have your old dental office transfer their records to us in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Communicate

If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to tell us. We would love to work together with you to find the most comfortable way to address all of your concerns. The same applies to your dental problem: the more comprehensive information you can provide us, the better we can help. Consider sitting down and writing a list of dental issues you’ve dealt with in the last six months or so to make sure you don’t forget to mention them.

On the Day of the Appointment

We recommend you avoid beverages with caffeine or sugar on the day of your appointment, and if you take any medication or vitamins, it’s good to have a list of them with you. Similarly, if you have any questions about the procedure or what to do after it, it’s always better to write them down and bring them with you to make sure you don’t forget. You should also inform your dentist of any changes in your health, particularly if you’ve gotten pregnant.

Practicalities

For your own comfort, try to get a good night’s sleep before the visit and wear something you’re comfortable in. We also recommend that you brush and floss your teeth before you arrive for the appointment and that you arrive a little early to have time to complete forms and take a moment to relax.

Here at our Center City orthodontics center, it’s very common to see patients with problems caused by wisdom teeth. In fact, the majority of people do not possess jaw bones big enough to comfortably fit all 32 permanent teeth.

Tooth Impaction and Infection

Because wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop, they are often blocked or crowded out of their proper eruption position by the overlying gums or bone, causing them to become impacted.

When the wisdom teeth begin to erupt, typically in one’s late teens or early 20s, they can cause a recurrent cycle of infection of the gums, causing pain around the tooth that sometimes spreads to the neck or side of the face.

Other Possible Complications

When left in place, impacted wisdom teeth can cause other problems, such as chronic infections that can damage adjacent teeth and severe recession of the gums and bone.

If a wisdom tooth erupts without an opposing tooth, it can cause accidental cheek biting or may even hyper-erupt, disrupting the occlusion or bite of the other teeth. More serious problems can occur if the tissue surrounding an impacted tooth enlarges into a cyst or tumor.

Wisdom teeth can also lead to crowding of the lower incisor teeth during one’s late teens and early 20s and may require orthodontic retreatment if left long enough.

What If My Wisdom Teeth Do Erupt?

Scientific studies show that wisdom teeth that do erupt are just as prone to disease as impacted wisdom teeth. It’s challenging to maintain good oral hygiene in the far reaches of the mouth, and wisdom teeth are often the first casualties to the bacteria that cause decay or gum infection. If they were not taken during one’s teen years, a higher proportion of wisdom teeth will eventually need to be removed later on.

Are you interested in learning more about what the best orthodontist in Philadelphia can do for you and your teeth? If so, don’t hesitate to give our team a call today at 215-315-7691.

As we inch closer and closer to 2019, many of us will soon be looking forward to creating new goals and resolutions to follow in the new year. Between losing weight, eating healthy and having a more positive outlook on life, there are many different goals and missions people of all ages can take part in each year.

We here at CCED, the top choice for restorative dentistry in Philadelphia, are encouraging everyone to consider making their smile an important part of their new year’s resolution. With that in mind, we are always giving out tips to improve the smile of all of our patients.

For a better smile in 2019, we recommend following these easy-to-do tips:

Continue reading “3 Easy Ways To Improve Your Smile In 2019”