We have been using the PRF, L-PRF, and PRGF technologies now for many years. This technology uses concentrated platelets processed at the time of surgery, as a graft material either alone or in combination with bone graft material (autologous, allograph, and/or xenograft). A recent study looked at outcomes when this is used as a socket […]
We routinely prescribe antibiotics following oral surgery procedures such as removal of wisdom teeth or placement of dental implants. (JADA 2017:148(12):878-886). The mouth is a naturally dirty place and it is not possible to “sterilize” it prior to treatment. In fact, it is common that the structures that we are treating are infected such as […]
In my practice, we anesthetize almost all of our third molar surgery (wisdom tooth surgery) patients and we also give a steroid – typically IV dexamethasone – to those patients when indicated. The use of oral dexamethasone for these patients would not be indicated as a premedication as we want the patient to be fasting […]
Should I take a dose of ibuprofen prior to my wisdom tooth treatment? There have been many studies through the years showing that taking an NSAID, such as ibuprofen, prior to extraction of wisdom teeth reduces post-treatment pain and swelling. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1990-1997, 2019). I believe this is true for most dental procedures […]
I (Dr. Wagner) have been removing impacted wisdom teeth for over 30 years. I regularly have to treat very difficult cases, including cases where there is a significant risk to the neurovascular bundle in the jaw (inferior alveolar nerve), jaw cysts (odontogenic cysts), infections, and complicated/difficult extractions. I am an expert in this treatment and […]
The cone beam scan is by far the better of the two if you are just basing the question off which gives you more information (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1968, 2019). The panoramic is a two-dimensional x-ray picture of the jaw structure, and the cone beam imaging is a three-dimensional reconstruction of multiple scans, and […]
Difficult wisdom teeth are the regular practice for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). We are expert in removing third molar teeth (wisdom teeth) and we know how to evaluate and treat all of them – even when they are associated with difficult anatomy and/or pathology such as cysts and tumors. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg […]
To me, this seems like a silly question because I have had over 35 years of experience treating patients of all ages with wisdom tooth problems and absolutely the types of problems, severity of problems, and the risks of treatment increase with age – and transversely are much less in the younger patient. I have […]
In our practice, removal of third molar teeth (wisdom teeth) is most commonly performed under IV anesthesia. This is appropriate and I feel necessary for this treatment to be a positive experience for most patients. With intravenous anesthesia you are completely relaxed, you have no anxieties and your jaw muscles are relaxed – it makes […]
The main reasons why I recommend a cone beam scan (CBCT) for third molar extractions is when there is significant risk to the nerve in the lower jaw (inferior alveolar nerve) or when there are significant lesions (typically cysts or tumors) associated with the jaw and/or teeth. For me, the cone beam scan has never […]
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