A dentist will perform an oral cancer screening to check for indications of cancer or precancerous conditions in the mouth. The objective of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer early at a stage where there is a higher chance for a cure.

A majority of dentists perform an exam of the mouth during a routine dental visit to check for oral cancer. Some dentists may also undertake further tests to help in the identification of areas of abnormal cells in the mouth.

Medical organizations dissent on whether healthy individuals without risk factors for mouth cancer require cancer screening. No particular oral exam or oral cancer screening test is proven to reduce the risk of succumbing to oral cancer.

But the patient and their dentist may decide that an oral examination or a special test is appropriate based on the patient’s risk factors. McLain Surgical Arts, led by Dr. Landon D. McLain, provides oral cancer screening to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

 

Why is Oral Cancer Screening Done?

The objective of oral cancer screening is to diagnose mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may cause mouth cancer at an initial stage. In the early stages, cancer or lesions are the easiest to remove and cure.

However, no studies indicate that oral cancer screening saves lives. Therefore, not all medical organizations concur on the advantages of an oral examination for oral cancer screening. Some organizations recommend screening while others do not.

Oral cancer screening may be more beneficial for individuals with a high risk of oral cancer.

 

What You Can Expect

At the time of an oral cancer screening examination, the dentist checks the inside of the mouth for red or white patches or mouth sires. The dentist will use gloved hands to feel the tissues in the patient’s mouth to check for lumps or other aberrations.

In case the patient wears removable complete or partial dentures, the dentist or doctor will ask them to remove these so that the tissues beneath can be assessed.  

 

Additional Tests for Oral Cancer Screening

Certain dentists use special tests along with an oral examination to screen for oral cancer. There is no clarity on whether these tests provide any additional advantages over the oral examination. Special oral cancer screening exams may encompass the following:

• Rinsing the mouth with a special blue dye prior to an examination. The abnormal cells in the mouth may take up the dye and turn blue.
• Shining a light within the mouth during an examination. The light enables normal tissue to appear dark while abnormal tissue appears white.

 

Outcomes

In case the dentist detects any indications of mouth cancer or precancerous lesions, they may recommend:

• A follow-up consultation in a few weeks to check if the abnormal region is still present and note if it has changed or grown over time.
• A biopsy to attain a sample of cells for lab testing to evaluate if cancer cells are present. The dentist may perform the biopsy or refer the patient to a doctor who specializes in oral cancer detection and treatment.

Additional tests could be an outcome of oral cancer screening.

In case the dentist detects an unusual sore, the patient may undergo further testing to determine the cause. Oral cancer can only be definitely determined only by removing abnormal cells and testing them for cancer in a procedure known as a biopsy.

 

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral cancer screening.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Dental implant surgery is instrumental in replacing tooth roots with metal, screw-like post as well as restoring damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that appear and function much like real ones.

This procedure can offer an effective alternative to dentures or ill-fitting bridgework.

The type of implant and the condition of the jawbone will determine how dental implant surgery is performed. Dental implant surgery may encompass several procedures.

The primary benefit of implants is that they offer solid support to the new teeth. This process necessitates the bone to heal firmly around the implant. As this healing takes time, the entire process can take several months.

McLain Surgical Arts, led by Dr. Landon D. McLain, provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Why is dental surgery done?

Dental implants are placed surgically on the jawbone. Here they serve as the roots of the missing teeth. As the titanium in the implants fuses with the jawbone the implants will not slip, make noise, or lead to bone damage in the manner that dentures or fixed bridgework might.

In addition, the materials cannot decay in the way that real teeth that support regular bridgework can.

 

Procedure

Dental implant surgery is typically an outpatient procedure undertaken in stages:

1. The damaged tooth is taken out.
2. The jawbone is prepped for surgery, and this process may involve bone grafting.
3. Once the jawbone heals, the oral surgeon places the dental implant metal post in the jawbone.
4. The patient undergoes the healing period which may take several months.
5. The oral surgeon will place the abutment, which is an extension of the implant metal post. Sometimes when the implant is stable, this can be undertaken at the time of implant placement.
6. Once the soft tissue heals, the dentist will make a mold of the patient’s teeth and jawbone and subsequently place the final teeth or tooth.
7. The complete process can take several months from start to finish. A large part of this duration is devoted to healing as well as waiting for the growth of new bone in the jaw.

 

Placing the Dental Implant

The oral surgeon will make an incision to open the gum and expose the bone during surgery to place the dental implant. They will drill holes into the bone where they will place the dental implant metal post. As the post will serve as the tooth root, it is implanted deep into the bone.

At this juncture, the patient will still have a gap where the tooth is missing. The surgeon may place a partial, temporary denture for appearance, if necessary. The patient can take this denture out for cleaning and when they sleep.

 

Waiting for Bone Growth

After placing the metal implant post in the jawbone, osseointegration (os-e-o-in-tuh-GRAY-shun) initiates. In this process, the jawbone grows into and fuses with the surface of the dental implant. This process can take several months and helps offer a solid base for the new artificial tooth in the same manner as roots do for natural teeth.

 

Placing the Abutment

The patient may need additional surgery to place the abutment when osseointegration is complete. The abutment is the piece where the crown will eventually attach. This is a minor surgical procedure which is usually undertaken with the patient under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.

 

Choosing New Artificial Teeth

Following abutment, the gums must heal for one to two weeks before the artificial tooth can be attached.

 

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Wisdom tooth extraction refers to a surgical procedure to excise one or more wisdom tooth. These are the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of the mouth on the top and bottom.

Dr. Landon D. McLain of McLain Surgical Arts provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

 

When is Wisdom Tooth Surgery Required?

It will become necessary to have a wisdom tooth pulled out if it does not have room to grow (impacted wisdom tooth) which may be causing infection, pain, or other dental issues. A dentist or an oral surgeon can perform a wisdom tooth extraction.

Even if impacted teeth are not presently causing problems, some dentists and oral surgeons recommend wisdom tooth extraction to prevent any potential issues in the future.

Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last permanent teeth to emerge (erupt) in the mouth. These teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 years. While some individuals never develop wisdom teeth, these teeth erupt in others normally and do not cause any problems.

Many individuals develop impacted wisdom teeth or teeth that do not have sufficient room to erupt in the mouth or develop in a normal manner. Impacted wisdom teeth may emerge partially or not at all.

An impacted wisdom tooth may present the following:

• Develop at an angle toward the next tooth (the second molar)
• Develop at an angle toward the back of the mouth
• Develop at a right angle to the other teeth appearing as if the wisdom tooth is “lying down” within the jawbone
• Develop straight up or down similar to other teeth but remain trapped within the jawbone

 

Issues with Impacted Wisdom Teeth

A person will likely need to have their impacted wisdom tooth pulled if it causes issues such as:

• Pain
• Infection or gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Trapping debris and food behind the wisdom tooth
• Tooth decay in a wisdom tooth that is partially erupted
• Damage to a neighboring tooth or surrounding bone
• Development of a cyst (fluid-filled sac) around the wisdom tooth
• Problems with orthodontic treatments to straighten other teeth

 

Surgery Procedure

The oral surgeon or dentist may use sedation or anesthesia, depending on the anticipated complexity of the wisdom tooth extraction as well as the patient’s comfort level.

The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is as follows:

• Places an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone
• Eliminates the bone that obstructs access to the tooth root
• Divides the tooth into sections if it is easier to eliminate in fragments
• Removes tooth
• Cleans the area of the removed tooth of any debris from the bone or tooth
• Sutures the wound close to encourage healing, but this is not always necessary
• Applies gauze to the extraction area to manage bleeding and help a blood clot develop

 

Post-Operative Healing

The patient should follow the dentist’s instructions on the following as they heal:

Bleeding

The patient may experience some oozing of blood on the first day after the wisdom tooth extraction. They should avoid excessive spitting so as not to dislodge the blood clot from the socket. The patient should replace the gauze over the extraction site as instructed by their dentist or oral surgeon.

Pain Management

The patient may be able to manage pain with OTC pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), or a prescription drug from their dentist or oral surgeon.

Prescription pain drugs may be particularly useful if the bone has been excised during the procedure. To relieve pain, the patient can also hold a cold pack against their jaw.  

 

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

The treatment of various conditions may involve oral surgery. Your surgeon will share some insights to help you make a suitable decision and help you prepare mentally and physically for the oral surgery.

Dr. Landon D. McLain of McLain Surgical Arts provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Types of Oral Surgery

Some of the most common types of oral surgeries and what patients can expect when they visit the surgeon’s office for the procedure are as follows:

 

The Impact on Wisdom Teeth

The last teeth to develop are these third molars, also known as wisdom teeth. For many people, these teeth may grow without causing the patient any problems.

However, these teeth either do not completely erupt or are not properly aligned. This happens all too often. This may lead these teeth to become squeezed between the jawbone and the gums. This condition will also impact the health of the surrounding teeth.

 

Dental Implants

The surgeon will implant a metal post into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. Over time, this implant will fuse into the gum tissue and bone. This forms a robust foundation to hold a realistic-looking artificial tooth, or crown. Dental implants are a suitable option for people with tooth loss who are seeking a sustainable treatment option.

 

Biopsies

If the patient has a lesion in their mouth that appears suspect, they will need a biopsy to check for oral cancer. The surgeon will excise a tiny piece of tissue and send it to the lab for evaluation.

 

Jaw Surgery

If a person’s jaws are misaligned, it can lead to issues not only with appearance but functional problems as well. The patient will usually require surgery to address this issue and restore function to the jaws.

 

Sleep Apnea

In case conservative therapies do not help patients with serious sleep apnea, the oral surgeon can eliminate excess tissue from the back of the throat to improve the patient’s sleeping situation significantly.

 

Reconstructive Surgery

Facial injuries and missing teeth can make it challenging to perform even normal functions such as eating. These surgical procedures replace knocked-out of damaged teeth, address jawbone and gum damage, and treat jaw joint problems.

 

Pre-Procedure

Prior to the surgery, the oral surgeon will provide the patient with a detailed treatment plan. They will also explain the anesthesia options to them and encourage them to ask any questions that they may have about their surgery. A majority of surgeries are done under general anesthesia to make sure that the patient remains comfortable during the procedure.

 

Post-Procedure

There will be a recovery period with oral surgery, similar to any surgical procedure. If the patient is under general anesthesia, they will not be able to drive themselves home after the procedure.

In these types of cases, the patient should arrange for someone to drive them back home as they will feel tired and groggy. The surgeon may prescribe painkillers to manage the pain associated with the recovery. They will also provide a comprehensive do’s and don’ts for after the procedure.

 

Summing Up

There are many conditions in which the treatment involves oral surgery. While no one relishes undergoing surgery, sometimes it is the only way to ensure optimal oral health.

The patient will receive a comprehensive treatment plan before their oral surgery. The dentist will explain the anesthesia options to make sure that the patient feels little or no discomfort during the surgery.

The patient will have to undergo the recovery period after the surgery. Many of these surgical procedures warrant the use of painkillers after the surgery to reduce recovery-related pain. Therefore, the patient should arrange for someone to drive them home after their oral surgery.

 

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.