“How to Stop Bleeding After Getting a Tooth Pulled”

Venture Creative on January 22, 2021

With advancements in every sector, tooth extraction has become a lot easier than it was in the early times. Usage of sedatives and medicines has made the entire process less painful. The first 24 hours are regular if some of the areas bleed, but excessive bleeding becomes scary and, at times, very painful. Patients start panicking when they see the amount of blood getting mixed with saliva in their mouths.

There are many ways to avoid excessive bleeding. Let’s discuss some of the most effective ways to stop excessive bleeding after the tooth has been pulled out.

Wet Gauze

Biting a wet gauze is one of the most effective ways of stopping bleeding. Oral and Facial institutes suggest patients apply this technique to avoid excessive bleeding after tooth extraction. Take a small piece of wet gauze and fold it into tiny pieces. Place this piece in the empty socket and start biting it for almost an hour. The pressure applied to the empty socket will eventually help in reducing the amount of blood oozing out.

Keep your head on raised pillows

After surgery or extraction, many oral surgeons, including Dr. Shawn B. Davis, advise their patients to lie down with their heads raised. Oral surgeons suggest this particular position because when your head is in the higher position, the blood pressure reduces, which in the tum slows down the bleeding. All you need to do is pile up two or three pillows and rest your head on the pillows.

Black tea bags

Keeping a wet tea bag in the empty socket helps in speeding the blood clotting. Make sure you use a wet tea bag because a dry one would be of no use.

Resting and taking a break:

Dr. Davis also advises to rest or take a break after the tooth extraction. It is because it helps the body prepare it for the other tiring and stressful tasks that are to come in the upcoming days. Putting your body through intensive tasks right after your tooth has been pulled out will increase the bleeding and affect your body’s performance. Dental surgeons advise avoiding any strenuous activity for some days till your inflamed area becomes normal.

Take care while eating

Make sure to avoid eating any hard solids that could affect the extraction. The effect of sedation starts going away after a few hours of the surgery. Start with a soft diet, juices, or even ice cream to help reduce the swelling and relax the inflamed area. Avoid the use of straws as it can cause excessive bleeding. Eat meals that do not require chewing. Your menu can include milkshakes, soups, or smoothies as they are filling and healthy.

These are some of the ways that you could bring in use while staying at home. However, if the situation doesn’t stay normal, you must see an oral surgeon for consultation.

Knowing Your Dental Implant Options

Venture Creative on December 18, 2020

From endosteal implants right to a ridge expansion, dental implants come in a plethora of different options. It means you can easily find one that best matches your needs. However, it also means you can’t know which implant works best for you.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of dental implant options you can undergo. It is as follows:

The Different Types of Dental Implants

Typically, dental implants are of three chief types:

Endosteal Implants (Endosseous)

Endosteal implants are the most popularly used implant consisting of small screw-shaped implants. These use high-quality titanium to ensure a comfortable fit. Moreover, the dentists place them right inside the jawbone.

Subperiosteal Implants

Contrary to the endosteal implants, these are placed under the gum. Or the dentist may install it above the jawbone. You’d go for this option only if your jaw does not comprise a sufficient amount of healthy bone. Moreover, you may select this implementation method if you want to avoid the augmentation procedure.

Zygomatic Implants

The least common procedure is the Zygomatic implant. It is a super complicated process used only if your jaw lacks the bones necessary for an Endosteal implant. Here the implant is installed in the patient’s cheekbone.

Additional Dental Implant Technique

In case your jaw bone cannot support dental implants, your dentist may utilize a variety of different techniques to restore your bone, jawline or ensure a sustainable base for implant-supported teeth. Here you’ll see the following:

Bone Augmentation

In case the bone in your jaw is deteriorating, you’ll have to go for bone augmentation. Researches and studies alike show that utilizing bone additives and extra growth factors can strengthen the bone.

Sinus Lift

Otherwise known as sinus augmentation, the process includes installing an extra bone right below the sinus. It is done right where your jaw is missing a natural bone.

Ridge Expansion

Lastly, if the dentist deems your jaw too small to support dental implants, they’ll select ridge expansion for you. It involves adding a small ridge along the top lining of your jaw.

3D Imaging

Your dentist is likely to use revolutionary 3D digital imaging and additional futuristic surgical planning software to assist him in his finding. These clear and precise pictures help pinpoint your problem and find a solution faster than ever. It allows for less time waster and a much shorter recovery time.

Ways to Getting Dental Implants

These are as follows:

All-on-4

Instead of getting multiple teeth replacements on the top and bottom of your mouth, you can opt for an all-on-4. Here four dental implants are located atop available bone. Due to the use of special abutments, you’ll have to follow a strict diet for a couple of months until the gum tissues are healing.

Mini Dental Implants (MDIs)

Otherwise referred to as narrow-diameter implants, these implants are no bigger than a toothpick and super narrow. It allows for easy installments with minimally invasive techniques/

Immediate Load Dental Implants

In this process, a temporary tooth is located during a similar time frame as your dental implant placement. Otherwise known as same-day implants, these are a good option for boasting adequate natural bone to secure instant placement safely.

Have a healthy, beautiful smile with the help of our dedicated team of professionals here at The Oral and Facial Surgery Institute. Book an appointment today to get first in line!

Southern Utah’s Best Oral Surgeon

Venture Creative on November 13, 2020

When you are looking for an oral surgeon, one of the most important things is to find a doctor that really, truly cares about their patients. Not only are you looking for someone who is obviously skilled, well-trained, and proficient at what they do, but you also want them to be enthusiastic about getting the results that are going to make your smile look its best. That is why Dr. Shawn Davis is among the best in his field, and the absolute best oral surgeon in Southern Utah.

 

In the words of Dr. Davis himself, “The most rewarding part of my practice is being able to give my patients a healthier lifestyle, a beautiful smile, transforming their lives, and making them happy. That is the reason I come to work every day!” This is the sort of enthusiasm and drive that makes Dr. Davis the premier oral surgeon in his region.

Education

Earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in 1999, he hit the ground running that same year and began training for his Doctorate at Temple University College of Dentistry. During this time he also completed a Masters of Business Administration concurrently. Four years later he had completed his Doctorate and gained acceptance to the University of Oklahoma and their top-tier oral and maxillofacial surgery program. Following his love of dentistry and his skill in his studies, he was chosen as the Chief Resident in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, where he still participates as an occasional guest lecturer.

Memberships And Industry Achievements

In addition to being on the leadership committee of the Resident Organization of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dr. Davis helped create and author the American Associate of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Pocket Reference Guide. This guide is now given to all students of dentistry who enter Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency nationwide and is used consistently by surgeons across the country.

 

Dr. Davis stays at the forefront of dentistry developments, attending and lecturing at multiple meetings and conferences every year to learn about and in some cases provide cutting-edge technology and emerging surgical techniques to his patients. He helped to found the Seattle Study Club of Southern Utah, ad the Spear Continuing Education Study Club. He also holds and maintains membership in scholarly organizations such as:

  • American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American Dental Association
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
  • Utah Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists
  • University of Oklahoma Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Lecturer
  • Southwest Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

 

Dr. Davis also is also the team surgeon for facial trauma, in the Dixie State University Department of Sports Medicine.

Personal Achievements

Dr. Shawn Davis was raised in Idaho and northern Utah, and now for nearly a decade as lived in St. George. He and his beloved wife are the parents of three children, with whom he loves to spend a large portion of his free time. He also enjoys playing multiple sports, reading, and camping.

Treating Cleft Lip & Palate

Venture Creative on October 9, 2020

Cleft lip and palate is a facial and oral malformation from when the facial structure fails to complete during prenatal development. Detected in early pregnancy, clefting occurs due to a lack of lip and mouth tissues. It can also occur when muscles fail to connect.

A cleft lip is a narrow separation in the upper lip skin, while cleft palate involves the roof of the mouth. Typically, genes are the primary cause, but smoking, diabetes, and the use of certain medications can also cause clefting.

Cleft lip and palate may be an unattractive deformity, but people suffering from the issue can treat and correct it through surgery. In most cases, medical procedures can reinstate normal functionality and appearance with little to no scarring.

 Diagnosis:

Typically, cleft lip and palate can be identified at the time of birth, but you can also see it during the ultrasound in early pregnancy. In both cases, you don’t require conducting special tests and scans for diagnosis.

During the ultrasound around the 13th week of pregnancy, the doctor can detect the abnormality or defect in facial development. As the fetus continues to grow, the diagnosis for cleft lip can be much more accurate. However, cleft palate can’t be detected during pregnancy.  If clefting is diagnosed, then the doctor may conduct a fluid test to detect other kinds of birth defects.

Treatment:

Surgical procedures can help treat cleft lip and palate, which also improves their ability to talk, eat, hear and speak. It also helps removes the defect while giving them a normal appearance. Doctors involved in the treatment of cleft lip and palate includes:

  • Surgeon
  • ENT specialist
  • Pediatricians
  • Dentists
  • Orthodontists
  • Auditory specialists
  • Speech therapists
  • Counselor
  • Psychologists

Other than surgeries, patients may require therapies for further improvement and functioning of muscles.

Surgeries to correct cleft lip and palate depend on the severity and complexity of each case. Other than corrective surgeries, your doctor may recommend follow up surgeries for functionality improvement. They typically occur in the following manner:

Cleft lip repair—takes place within 3-6 months

It closes the separation in the lip by adding a new flap of tissues. The doctor will make an incision to stitch together the flap with the lip muscles. Nasal repair is also done at the same time.

Cleft palate repair —takes place within the first 12 months

Various medical procedures are used to repair the separation over the roof of the mouth. By making a small incision, the doctor repositions the muscles and tissues. It is then stitched together.

Follow-up surgeries — from two to late teenage

It consists of:

Ear Tube Surgery:

A cleft palate can cause hearing loss. This explains why doctors place additional ear tubes to reduce the risk of chronic ear fluid buildup.

Surgeries for appearance:

To improve the appearance of one’s mouth, lip, and nose, they opt for further surgery.

Your further may suggest further surgeries to treat the complications due to cleft lip and palate. It comprises of:

  • Feeding practices
  • Speech therapy
  • Orthodontic treatments
  • Treatment of ear infection
  • Psychological counseling
  • Addition of hearing aids

Why You Should Choose the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute for Your Surgery

Venture Creative on September 18, 2020

Your tooth has been hurting you for some time now, but the pain has become unbearable. You think to yourself, ‘maybe it is time to see a dentist now’ Or maybe your wisdom tooth decided to make an appearance, and you need it extracted immediately.

Here’s where the problem arises: where do you find a trustworthy and skilled oral and facial surgeon to help me out? That’s where we step in! With a team of proficient and skilled doctors, we’re here to make your days better and your smiles wider!

Why Choose Oral And Facial Surgery Institute?

Still not sure if we’re the right choice? Keep reading; we’ll change your mind!

  • Dedicated And Devoted

From the second you step inside our office, right till the point you’re saying farewell, we ensure your experience is nothing low of amazing. Every single step of your oral and facial surgery journey is well-thought-out by us.

Here at the Oral And Facial Surgery Institute, we make sure our equipment is safe and our workers efficient. In addition, we ensure you feel comfortable and receive top-notch care. We also ensure everything is clean and properly sterilized. When it comes to the safety and comfort of our clients, we make no compromises!

  • State-Of-The-Art Technology 

When it comes to providing first-rate oral and facial surgery experiences, the Oral And Facial Surgery Institute goes all out. Our institute consists of all kinds of high-grade and revolutionary technology to ensure everything goes smoothly.

From the newest x-rays machinery to super comfy patient chairs, our office is designed with the customer’s comfort in mind. That’s why we were voted ‘’Best of Southern Utah 2020’ as the Best Medical Facility!

  • Convenience And Affordability

While we’re talking about the customer’s comfort, let’s talk about the two things you definitely need to look into; convenience and affordability.

Finding a highly skilled dentist all within your budget is no easy task; that’s what sets us apart! For this reason, we call our patients and talk about their insurance. This helps in ensuring you receive the most for the least!

  • Comfort And Personalized Service

There’s a certain amount of anxiety that comes with going to the dentist’s office. And we understand that fully!

To ensure your experience is devoid of any uneasiness, our workers here at Oral And Facial Surgery Institute do everything we can. Making sure our clients know exactly what’s going to happen often helps in diminishing said fears; thus, clear communication is our top priority.

  • Skilled and Proficient Team

Oral and Facial Surgery Institute takes its values to heart. That’s why we make sure every single one of our workers is highly skilled and experienced.

Dr. Davis, the team surgeon, is not only an expert in what he does, but he values his clients greatly. Apart from him, our team does everything in ensuring you receive the best treatment in a friendly and comfortable environment. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to book an appointment with an Oral and Facial Surgery Institute!

Wisdom Teeth Removal for Missionaries

Venture Creative on September 11, 2020

About 3% of missionaries experience shortened missions caused by various physical health problems. By going through wisdom teeth removal, a missionary can help ensure that their mission is not interrupted by orthodontic issues.

 

Visit a Dentist

Visiting a dentist is important in ensuring that your oral health is up to date before you start serving. They will let you know if there are any problems with your teeth and what you can do to fix them.

 

Wisdom teeth often cause problems in young adults’ mouths- they can erupt in the wrong spot, crowd other teeth, become impacted, or even erupt sideways. If any of these were to happen, it could be very detrimental to your physical health.

 

Because of this, the Mission Department says that you should go through a wisdom teeth removal procedure if your dentist believes they are going to cause you issues within the next two years.

 

Prospective missionaries that are not in a routine dental-care program will want to see a dentist as soon as possible. That way they can be sure that there is enough time for a check-up and treatment if needed.

 

In short, you want any needed orthodontic work to be completed before entering the MTC. If you are in St. George with wisdom teeth problems, our team at the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute consists of an experienced and caring staff who would love to help you.

 

What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?

Every patient can experience different issues with their wisdom teeth. However, as a missionary, you will want to be sure you get them looked at before you leave to serve. Wisdom teeth removal may require a long healing time, which could interrupt your mission.

 

They also cause many problems. When an impacted tooth is not removed, it may cause swelling and pain in your gums. Wisdom teeth that are only partially erupted are hard to clean since they are in the back of your mouth- making them a potential risk for gum disease, infection, or tooth decay.

 

We are specialists when it comes to any St. George wisdom tooth extraction, so do not be afraid to reach out to us. Many of our patients are future missionaries, just like you!

 

What Happens After Removal?

Once the teeth have been removed, you will start the healing process. It is different for every person and our specialists will let you know what to do to help the process along.

 

You will likely experience some swelling and pain in your mouth. An ice pack can help reduce swelling and numb your mouth. Be sure that you only eat soft food after the procedure and avoid using a straw.

 

It can take 3 days to a week to completely recover. After this, it would be alright to start your mission. Remember that you can still be susceptible to infection for a few months, so clean your mouth often, and be sure to watch for signs of an infection.

 

Conclusion

Contact us today if you are a prospective missionary looking to have their wisdom teeth removed. We would love to answer any questions that you have about the procedure. 435-628-1100

All-On-4 Implants vs. Dentures

Venture Creative on August 28, 2020

If you or a loved one are in need of false teeth, you might only know about dentures, as they have been around for decades. There are some newer options on the market that might be a better fit, like the All-On-4 implant.

You basically have three options to replace teeth – full dentures, individual implants for each tooth, or the All-On-4 implants that use only 4-6 implants on each half of your mouth, using a bridge to cover the rest of the teeth.

There are a time and a place for both implants and dentures, and we will break down the right time for each product.

What is an All-On-4 Implant?

These implants can replace all of your upper or lower teeth with only 4 or 6 implants. Then, bridges can be used to give you a full mouth. Lowering the number of implants is better for your mouth and more cost-effective than if you replace all of your teeth with individual implants.

Expenses

Dental care can be pricey, but fortunately, the All-On-4 implants are actually one of the cheaper options available. This is a more price efficient way than getting individual implants for each tooth or getting an entire set of dentures made up.

If you were to replace each tooth with individual implants you could more than double the price of getting the All-On-4 implants.

Comfort

While you will find the All-On-4 implants to be a little bit thicker than your natural teeth, the implants are thinner and much more comfortable than a full set of dentures. They arguably feel the most comfortable and the most natural of any tooth-replacement option on the market.

While the short-term might be uncomfortable, as it will require medical surgery to install the implants, All-On-4 implants are the most comfortable option that will have you feeling like you have real teeth. You need to decide if short term discomfort is worth long-term comfort.

Medical Needs

Consider that if you get individual implants, you will need to have surgery and bone grafts each time you get one implant. With the All-On-4, you need to undergo those procedures a lot less, saving you money and also the pain and suffering of additional medical procedures.

Dentures might be the easiest medically, as the fitting procedure for dentures is a lot less invasive than the surgery for implants. If concern over medical surgeries is a priority for you, then consider dentures instead of any type of implant.

Longevity

All-On-4 implants can be the last set of teeth you will ever need, and they are generally worth the investment. You can replace all of your teeth with the All-On-4 implants. This means it will be cheaper than replacing each tooth with individual implants, but you also will not have to remove your teeth as you do with dentures. These implants are designed to be permanent and have you with a good-looking smile for years to come.

Will My Oral Surgery Procedure Be Painful?

Venture Creative on August 21, 2020

 

We get a lot of questions from patients before a procedure, but, without a doubt, one of the most common questions is, simply put: “Will it hurt?” This is a natural question. Surgery is something most of us only go through a small number of times in our lives, and it’s simply instinct to be worried about and strive to avoid pain. Thankfully, we don’t have a hard time answering that question.

 

We strive to do our absolute utmost to ensure that every patient has a painless oral surgery experience.

 

Given the scope of our procedures, this may seem like a lofty goal, but we have a variety of techniques and a boatload of experience to know that we can provide this ideal procedure to our patients every time. Curious about how we accomplish these painless procedures? Read on to learn a bit about or various sedation techniques.

 

Minor Procedures

 

For the most minor oral surgeries, such as any gum treatment and tooth extraction, we will use a simple and common local anesthetic injected directly into the surgical area. Most commonly, this anesthetic is lidocaine, which is popular because it is incredibly effective and causes very few adverse reactions. In fact, it’s such an effective painkiller that it is used in almost every single one of our procedures, in conjunction with other techniques. It wears off quickly after surgery, and you can drive yourself home if we only use a local anesthetic for a procedure.

 

Moderate Procedures

 

For some of our lengthier procedures, including extractions, wisdom teeth removals as well as dental implant placements, we will add the use of nitrous oxide to the painkilling regimen for a surgery. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide will be given to patients via a small mask. When combined with lidocaine, laughing gas can greatly increase your pain tolerance as well as relieve any anxiety. The laughing gas also wears off very shortly after the procedure.

 

Major Procedures

 

Either in our office or in a hospital setting, the most major procedures can require IV sedation or general anesthesia. For IV sedation, patients technically got in and out of consciousness during the surgery but frequently have no recollection of the treatment. We are also licensed to administer full general anesthesia. In these situations, you will need a friend or relative to drive you after the procedure.

 

With the full array of pain management tools are our disposal, we can ensure you have a painless procedure. Contact us to learn more!

The Best in Southern Utah

Venture Creative on August 14, 2020

More than anything else, if there is one reason, we have our practice, it’s because we are dedicated to serving our patients and providing them with the best possible outcomes. It’s why most medical professionals get into their field: to help people. That is enough reward. However, it is exceptionally gratifying when we receive recognition for our dedication to patient safety and satisfaction.

 

That’s why we were so humbled and honored to find out that we’d received not one, but multiple gold badges in 2020’s Best of Southern Utah awards. We earned awards as the Best Medical Facility, the Best Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, and Best Doctor in Southern Utah, all in the most recent year. It’s not the first time we’ve earned accolades for our practice, but, to us, it confirms our commitment to excellence year in and year out. These awards may be humbling, but we aren’t too humble to say that we think you should choose us for your next oral surgery, and here are some of the reasons why we’ve been voted the best in Southern Utah.

 

Constant Communication 

We get that the world of oral surgery can be daunting and confusing. After all, we spend every day dealing with it, but most of our patients only have a couple of oral surgeries in their entire life. We aim to take away some of the more unknown aspects of undergoing oral surgery with communication. This isn’t just focused on the dry (at least, to some of our patients!) medical details, but we also want to ensure that patients’ emotions, financial concerns, and expectations are all clearly communicated. Proper communication is an underrated key to patient success and happiness.

 

Incredible Patient Results

It may sound hyperbolic to say that our treatments are life-changing, but, for many of our patients, that is absolutely true. Our top of the line dental implants gives people a boost in self-esteem and quality of life, including being able to eat a wider array of foods again, that is priceless to many patients. For those who suffer the devastating pain of TMJ, our procedures can alleviate huge levels of pain and provide long-lasting and incredible relief. These are just a couple of prime examples of how some of our treatments can literally alter a patient’s life for the positive.

 

Convenience is Key 

Access to your medical professional sometimes feels like it comes at a premium. We are always available to answer a patient’s questions, and we are even available for emergency care. Before your first visit, we check with your insurance provider to ensure you receive a clear and concise financial estimate with a lower wait time. We remove the guesswork and get you the information you need in a faster time.

These reasons are just a few to showcase why we earned so many gold badges in 2020’s Best of Southern Utah awards. Contact us to learn more!

What You Need to Know About Our Sedation Options

Venture Creative on July 17, 2020

Oral surgery can make potential patients anxious, and that means that there are a couple of questions that we get frequently. One is how much pain or discomfort that you can expect during a procedure, and the other we get a lot is about if you will be awake or under anesthesia for the duration. Both of these questions can be addressed by considering our various sedation options for our procedures. Based on customer comfort and the level of complexity to the procedure, there is a wide range of options, all of which we are proficient with at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute.

 

Minor Procedures

 

Some of the simplest surgical treatments we perform include basic gum treatments and easy, simple tooth extractions. For these procedures, we generally use only a local anesthetic, which is lidocaine. Lidocaine is actually used in almost all of our sedation options as our local anesthetic, but it will be used on its own for these minor procedures.

 

Kicking Up a Notch with Laughing Gas

 

As the procedures get more complex, we add some more sedation options. For common procedures like wisdom teeth extraction or implant placements, we will add the use of nitrous oxide (known to most as laughing gas) to the lidocaine used as a local. This sedative is given to patients through a small mask that fits comfortably over your nose, quickly calming any anxiety and reducing pain sensations immensely. These effects wear off almost immediately after returning to the use of regular oxygen over the nitrous oxide.

 

IV Sedation or General Anesthesia in Office

 

As a complete surgery center, we are licensed and proficient in the use of IV sedation or general anesthesia in our own office. While we generally will only recommend the use of this sedative for complex procedures like a full-mouth reconstruction, the use of general anesthetic is safe enough to use at your choice for simple procedures like wisdom teeth removal if anxiety might be a problem.

 

When you undergo IV sedation in our office, a patient generally will go in and out of consciousness during the procedure. However, most patients don’t remember their procedure at all and aren’t responsive to the procedure. Even if you are technically awake, you are still basically under anesthesia and shouldn’t experience any anxiety from the procedure. One important thing to note is that the effects of anesthesia are long-lasting enough that you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

 

For Certain Instances, Sedation Can Occur in the Hospital

 

For some instances, including reconstructive or TMJ surgery or patients with underlying conditions, we may recommend doing the procedure in a hospital setting under the care of an anesthesiologist. However, these instances are exceptionally rare.

 

When you are considering oral surgery, you will have a wide range of sedation options available to you when you select the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute. Contact us today to learn more!

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