Oral Surgeon Blog

Not having a tooth is more than just a cosmetic issue. The effects of losing a tooth go deeper than just the surface, whether it's because of an injury, decay, or gum disease. The bone underneath starts to shrink when teeth aren't there to stimulate it. Teeth that are next to it may also move out of place. The result is not just a gap in the smile; the mouth also becomes less stable over time.

The best way to fix this problem right now is with dental implants. Not only do they replace a tooth, but they also recreate the connection between the tooth and the bone. This helps keep your health good over time in a way that removable appliances and traditional bridges can't. But, like with any surgery, knowing the biological, technical, and clinical factors that are at play is important for success.

One of the quiet revolutions in oral surgery has been the rise of CT-guided implant placement—a technique that reshapes not only how implants are placed, but how surgeons think about anatomy, safety, and long-term success.

For patients, the idea may sound like a high-tech add-on. But the implications are far more practical. CT-guided surgery isn’t about robotics or automation—it’s about getting it right the first time. And in implant dentistry, that accuracy can make all the difference.

They arrive late—usually after high school, often without an invitation—and they don’t always fit in. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last to emerge, yet in many mouths, there’s simply no space left for them.

Some people are lucky. Their wisdom teeth come in straight and quiet, causing no more fuss than a routine dental checkup. But for many others, these molars become a source of crowding, discomfort, or infection. In fact, the problems often start before the teeth even surface.

Most patients never think about the bone beneath their teeth—until something goes missing. A single lost tooth can lead to surprising consequences, not just above the gum line but below it. Without that constant pressure and motion from chewing, the body begins to reabsorb the bone in that area. It happens quietly. Gradually. And over time, the structure that once supported a healthy tooth becomes too thin or too soft to support much of anything.

That’s where bone grafting enters the conversation—not as a last resort, but as an essential step in rebuilding what’s been lost. For patients considering dental implants, it’s often the difference between “possible” and “predictable.”

When trauma affects the face, the consequences often run deeper than a visible bruise or broken bone. The face is not only anatomically complex—it houses vital functions such as sight, speech, and breath—but it also plays an essential role in how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by others.

Whether the injury is minor or severe, facial trauma deserves thorough evaluation. Data from global studies confirm that fractures of the facial skeleton account for a substantial percentage of trauma cases each year, with young adults most commonly affected. Yet despite its frequency, the complexity of treating these injuries remains underappreciated.

At some point in their late teens or early twenties, most people hear the phrase “your wisdom teeth are coming in.” These molars, tucked all the way at the back of the mouth, have a reputation for causing more trouble than they’re worth. Some people hardly notice them, while others end up in the dentist’s chair with pain, swelling, or infections that make daily life uncomfortable.