Steven Selchow, DDS, MD, currently runs his own private practice, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Since opening the office in 1991, Dr. Steven Selchow has offered treatment for conditions of the teeth, mouth, jaw, and face. One such disorder is dry socket, a hazard of tooth extraction. The condition is a painful inflammation that is common among individuals who have their wisdom teeth removed.
When a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in its place to protect the nerves and bone. If that blood clot comes loose, or disintegrates after tooth removal, dry socket can occur. The result is an extremely painful sensation that can extend from the jaw to the ear. An unpleasant odor will exude from the oral cavity as well. Both symptoms can last for several days.
Dentists and oral surgeons typically treat dry socket with medical paste and gauze. They also prescribe antibiotics to help promote healing. Additionally, pain medication may be prescribed depending on the severity of the issue. Patients can prevent dry socket by avoiding drinking through straws, smoking, and by rinsing the mouth for 24 hours after surgery. If dry socket symptoms occur, contact a dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Complications – Pericoronitis
Board certified in oral and maxillofacial
surgery, Dr. Steven Selchow leads Rejuv Skin & Laser Clinic and Dakota
Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. At his oral surgery practice, Dr. Seven
Selchow treats a wide range of conditions affecting the mouth and jaw,
including impacted wisdom teeth.
The failure of a third molar (wisdom tooth) to fully emerge through the gums is called an impaction. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create a number of complications, including damage to the roots and nerves of neighboring teeth. Another complication is pericoronitis, which is an infection of the gum tissues surrounding the tooth. When only a portion of the third molar erupts, flaps of gum tissue form around the tooth, creating spaces where food debris, plaque, and bacteria collect. Because these areas are difficult to keep clean, inflammation and infection often occur.
Treatments for pericoronitis include cleaning the mouth with salt water and taking ibuprofen to relieve pain. Some infections require antibiotics. However, these are only temporary fixes. To prevent pericoronitis from recurring, the patient must undergo wisdom tooth extraction by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
The failure of a third molar (wisdom tooth) to fully emerge through the gums is called an impaction. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create a number of complications, including damage to the roots and nerves of neighboring teeth. Another complication is pericoronitis, which is an infection of the gum tissues surrounding the tooth. When only a portion of the third molar erupts, flaps of gum tissue form around the tooth, creating spaces where food debris, plaque, and bacteria collect. Because these areas are difficult to keep clean, inflammation and infection often occur.
Treatments for pericoronitis include cleaning the mouth with salt water and taking ibuprofen to relieve pain. Some infections require antibiotics. However, these are only temporary fixes. To prevent pericoronitis from recurring, the patient must undergo wisdom tooth extraction by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
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