How many teeth should you have? The number can certainly vary. Children should have 20 natural “baby teeth”, otherwise known as primary or deciduous teeth. Most adult humans can expect to have a total of 32 permanent adult natural teeth, otherwise known as succedaneous teeth. The total of 32 teeth in adults includes the four typically troublesome wisdom teeth.
Of course, wisdom teeth extraction is common during the late teens or early 20’s. Additionally, patients who have had braces may have also had 2 or more premolars removed during the orthodontic process. Sometimes, a permanent tooth may fail to grow in at all. The original 32 teeth can quickly whittle down to 28 or 24 for a large portion of the population.
But what happens when there are too many teeth? For patients in Chicago tooth extraction is typically the recommended treatment. The term used to describe an extra tooth is known as a supernumerary tooth. In essence, it is possible to have all of the normal adult teeth, plus one or more additional teeth. A very common occurrence, it is possible to be born with too many tooth buds. As the teeth mature, the extra tooth may attempt to squeeze into place, or it may become trapped and impacted under the surface of the gums and bone.
Rather than risk complications such as crowding, bone loss, tooth decay, or damage to the neighboring teeth, this downtown Chicago oral surgeon may recommend removing the extra tooth. To determine the extent of your treatment, a clinical examination and x-rays are necessary. The position of the supernumerary tooth can be precisely visualized with our advanced 3D imaging and the impact of the tooth to your overall dental health will be considered.
With an accurate diagnosis, our oral surgeon can inform you about the details of the procedure. Will your tooth extraction be considered simple or surgical? What form of pain management will be offered? What should you expect following the procedure?
As a specialist, our dental surgeon has the expertise to remove the extra tooth, preserve the surrounding bone, replace the defect with a bone graft, identify nerve pathways and other anatomy, administer the necessary sedative intravenous medications, and manage medical or dental emergencies.
If you suspect that you have a supernumerary or extra tooth, contact our office for an examination today.
ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, at 1827 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL became a congregating point where NATO protestors gathered on Saturday. ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, WGN News, and the Chicago Tribune have all covered the scuffle that occurred outside where the Chicago oral surgery office of Dr. Steven Koos DDS, MD is located on 18th and Michigan Avenue between police and protesters. One individual was arrested and the rally continued peacefully. The Chicago Journal relayed the event in their report “Protestors and police clash at Michigan Avenue and 18th Street”Besides some arguments between cops and protestors, the march was peaceful and relatively quiet. Although after the arrest some protestors yelled at cops, asking “Is this what you signed up for? To protect NATO? Or the people you supposedly serve?” and “We’re all the same people, badge or no badge!”
ORA, on the other hand, directly showed their support by proudly displaying the sign “Make Love Not War” which sparked the interest of protestors. ABC News reported on the event and commented that “protesters vigorously rallied around the South Loop Oral Surgery office cheering that even local businesses were sympathetic to their cause and supporting them.”
How much is your health worth? How much would you be willing to invest for a chance to restore your smile? Today, dental implants in Chicago Illinois can give you the opportunity to invest in your health, restore your smile, and dramatically improve the quality of your life.
Making the decision to replace your missing teeth, and selecting the tooth replacement solution that is most similar to your natural teeth can reinvigorate your social life. The embarrassing spaces left by missing teeth and the awkwardness of smiling in public will soon be forgotten. Instead, patients who choose dental implants can smile openly, chew effortlessly, and restore their lost confidence.
Dental implants are permanent substitutes for your natural teeth. Their design includes all of the anatomical details of real teeth: a tooth root and a functional biting surface. During the early phases of the procedure, the underlying jaw bone becomes permanently fused with the artificial tooth root fixture. This interaction, known as osseointgration, creates a sturdy anchor that can support normal biting and chewing.
Once the artificial tooth root fixture has been successfully implanted, a customized biting surface can be created to complete your smile. This may be in the form of a dental crown, and abutment for a dental bridge, or an attachment for a denture, depending on your needs or final desired outcome.
Your dental implants should be viewed as a long-term investment. With proper care, you can enjoy a lifetime of confident smiling. You can look forward to chewing the foods that you prefer, including meats and fruits. Implants are also a proven method for retaining the structure of your jaw bone and facial profile. In contrast to other tooth replacements that only function above the gumline, your implants will work actively around the clock to stimulate your bone and protect your oral health and facial proportions.
Drs. Steven Koos and Brian Shah, your oral and maxillofacial surgeons serving Chicago Illinois, are experienced in all of the intricacies of dental implant placement. From reviewing your medical history to preparing you for the procedure to communicating with your general dentist, you can be assured that you are in the hands of knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated dental surgery professionals. And, when you are making a decision that will impact your health and the quality of your life, isn’t that just what you want?
Call ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312-328-9000 for your consultation about dental implants in Chicago, Illinois today.
This was the best dental experience of my life!!! After putting off getting my wisdom teeth pulled for over a year, out of fear of oral surgeons and the horror stories I was told, I took the plunge and went to Dr. Koos and his team! First off, the office is INCREDIBLE and feels like a day spa! Tia at the front desk was AMAZING being both helpful with my questions and going above and beyond to make me comfortable and feel safe. She is the epitome of customer service and professionalism! The operating room was also amazing( the entire ceiling is a video screen) with them playing my choice of music and the staff joking and helping ease my fears as they put me out. Dr. Koos is very knowledgeable and walks you through every step he is going to take before the surgery making you feel comfortable with what he is going to do and answering any questions you might have. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this establishment and will be returning for any other dental work I need done!!!
First, a brief lesson in dental anatomy and terminology: the pathway that runs straight down through the root of the tooth and is occupied by the tooth’s nerve and blood vessels is known as the “root canal”. The canal ends at the very tip of the tooth’s root, referred to as the “apex”. When a root canal procedure is performed, the nerve is removed and the canal is sterilized and filled with a permanent filling material. If the tooth had been previously infected or “abscessed”, the root canal procedure typically resolves the infection and the tooth can be restored and saved.
In the event that the root canal procedure cannot effectively resolve the infection, our dual degree oral surgeon serving the Chicago Loop vicinity, can step in to remove the infected portion of the tooth root in order to save your tooth. The surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy, involves the removal of the tooth’s apex as well as any surrounding hard or soft tissue that may have become damaged, infected or if a cyst has developed.
Once the apex has been removed, sometimes a filling is used to seal the root. The area is usually always grafted in with bone and a membrane is used to cover the bony window that was made for access to the tooth root. The overlying gum tissue will be sutured together in the final step and all of this is carried out under the comforts of sedation. In a matter of months, the bone will heal around the root and a follow-up visit will be scheduled to monitor the healing process.
Generally, an apicoectomy is not the solution of choice when the tooth has been root canal has bee re-treated, or when the tooth root is fractured. It is an appropriate “final attempt” which can be an effective method of preserving your natural teeth that are already facing the possibility of extraction, although the success rates are only moderate.
All surgical procedures are unique, and the prognosis for the outcome of the procedure must be determined on an individual basis. In most cases, an apicoectomy is only recommended when there is a reasonable expectation that the tooth can be saved. Long term success, approximately 10 years, can be achieved in select cases. Some statistics demonstrate as high as about 85% of apicoectomy procedures are successful long-term, while others show the success rate as low as 25%. With the help of advanced dental technology, the success rate is often higher than average and the recovery period is more favorable.
To find out if an apicoectomy is necessary to save your tooth, contact ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312-328-9000 today for an evaluation.
I had three of my wisdom teeth removed yesterday (my fourth one never formed). That was the first time I was under the general anesthesia so I was a little nervous.
The nurse (I am really bad with remembering names and I couldn’t find her name on the ORA website) was really nice and made me feel comfortable from the moment she came for me into the waiting room. She obviously knew what she was doing and was ready to answer all my questions. I had only two, but still…
The real HERO of yesterday was Dr. Koos. He came to explain the procedure and I felt like I am talking with a good friend, although that was the first time I saw him.
I cannot write about the procedure itself because I just took a nice nap and woke up when it was over. Dr. Koos was in the room and explained how everything went; he also followed up with a phone call last night.
I didn’t respond well to painkillers (I sometimes get nausea just from taking vitamins so it was not a big surprise to me). I took only one pill after surgery and decided to “deal with the pain” afterwards. I was able to sleep through the night and the pain is minimal. That just shows how good of a sergeon Dr Koos is! (Please, don’t understand me wrong I recommend to follow Dr Koos instructions and take all the painkillers he prescribes for maximum comfort.)
To sum up, Dr Koos is incredible! Professional, down to earth, with amazing bedside manners… I highly recommend ORA dental.
How many teeth should you have? The number can certainly vary. Children should have 20 natural “baby teeth”, otherwise known as primary or deciduous teeth. Most adult humans can expect to have a total of 32 permanent adult natural teeth, otherwise known as succedaneous teeth. The total of 32 teeth in adults includes the four typically troublesome wisdom teeth.
