I Need an Oral Biopsy: What Should I Do?

Posted March 9, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

An oral biopsy answers a lot of questions about the unknown.

“What is a biopsy?”

“Should I be concerned?”

“Is it something cancerous?”

“What’s in that cyst?”

“Will the biopsy hurt?”

Early diagnosis of suspicious lesions is one of the best ways to effectively treat oral disease. The sooner concerning tissues can be pinpointed, the better success that you can have in treating the condition. That’s why dentists frequently refer their patients to our Midlothian specialist to have a biopsy performed.

Biopsies tell us exactly what type of tissues are inside of a specific area. Once they’re collected, we send the tissue samples to a lab for microscopic diagnosis. Within a couple of weeks, we have the results back and can interpret the data for our patients. The type of cells present will determine the standard of care for that particular lesion, growth, or cyst.

Some types of biopsies can be taken using a small brush or numbing the tissues and using a punch-type tool to remove a small portion of tissue. Others are deeper inside of the bone and may require a short surgery with sedation to access them.

When you need a biopsy, you also want peace of mind knowing that a professional is taking all of the guess-work out of the process. That’s why so many dentists in the Ellis and Dallas County areas send their patients to a specialist. At Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery, we offer biopsy services to help identify pathological tissues and map out a strategic health plan for the patient, pending the final diagnosis.

If you are looking for the best oral surgeon in the Southern Dallas, Ellis, Tarrant or Hill County region, contact Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery to schedule a consultation with our highly-experienced specialist. We’re here to give you the peace of mind you need and the answers you deserve!

Does it Hurt to Get Dental Implants?

Posted March 3, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Today’s dental implants (Midlothian) are the next best thing to having natural teeth. Their integrity, streamlined design, and biocompatibility are superior to any other type of tooth replacement. Yet, many people are hesitant about dental implant treatment because of unknowns. For instance, how comfortable can the process actually be?

“Easier Than Having a Tooth Removed”

The minimally invasive nature of a single-tooth dental implant treatment makes the process quite more comfortable than most people realize. In fact, in some situations (each patient must be accessed separately, of course) it’s possible to place an implant using only local anesthetic. Then again, a majority of people prefer to have some type of sedation during their surgery, simply to “tune things out.”

All of that being said, if you’ve ever had a tooth extracted you can rest easy. Getting a dental implant and the brief recovery afterward is typically easier than a routine extraction.

Readily Accepted by Your Body

The biocompatibility of implants naturally attracts the surrounding bone tissues around them. This characteristic allows the implant to integrate with your bone and become a permanent part of your smile. After the implant is placed, you’ll want to wait a few months for it to fully integrate. However, the only irritation you’re likely to notice is in the gums at the site of placement. Fortunately, gum tissue heals quite quickly, so we’ll set you up with everything you need to minimize irritation in the meantime.

What About More Complex Cases?

When it comes to replacing multiple teeth or full-arch restoration, the dental implant process can be a bit more complex. The great news is that thanks to 3D imaging, sedation dentistry, and the help of an implant specialist on your side, you can enjoy a comfortable and predictable experience.

Call Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery today to reserve your dental implant consultation.

Spring Break Wisdom Tooth Removal

Posted February 24, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Do you have a college student coming home for spring break? Maybe you and your high-schooler are planning a “staycation” during the school holiday because of the pandemic. Whatever your spring break plans are, it’s also a great time to fit in those extra “to-dos” your family has had to put off for a while. In this case, wisdom tooth removal.

Scheduling a spring break wisdom tooth extraction — or one just before the holiday — can give your student enough time to recover and get back to school the following week.

Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Ask your son or daughter if they’ve been struggling with:

Sore gums in the back of their mouth
Swelling or stiffness near their jaw
Pressure
Irritation behind their back teeth
Getting food caught in the back of their mouth
Trouble brushing and flossing

Since partially-erupted and impacted wisdom teeth are at high risk for complications, it’s best to remove them before neighboring teeth are compromised as well.

Fit Your Consultation in Now

Schedule a brief exam and consultation with our Midlothian oral surgeon to find out if a wisdom tooth procedure is necessary. You can ask your current dentist for a referral or contact us directly! We serve families in Ellis, Dallas, and surrounding counties. Be sure to bring a copy of your insurance card (if you have access to it) so that we may provide you with a detailed treatment plan that will include an estimate of your out of pocket costs.

If your teen or college student does need their wisdom teeth removed, we can reserve an appointment time that fits their busy schedule. Whether it’s spring break, a Friday just before a long weekend, or even at the beginning of the summer, we’ll make sure that there’s plenty of time for R&R after their procedure.

Contact Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery today to reserve your family’s appointment.

4 Benefits of Investing in Dental Implants

Posted February 17, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Do you have missing teeth? Dental implants are one of — if not THE — best way to replace them. But if you’re still weighing all of your options, be sure to give these four benefits some thought before you make your final decision.

1. They Outperform Other Restorations

The modern dental implant is stronger than any other type of restoration on the market. In fact, they’re stronger than anatomical teeth (but don’t use that as an excuse to use them for opening things!)

2. Dental Implants Reinforce Your Tooth Alignment

The shape and placement of the implant help support their neighboring teeth. Instead of teeth tilting into the open space, they’re reinforced for the long-term. In turn, the surrounding bone stays healthier and as a side effect, your facial profile looks fuller than it would with missing teeth.

3. Eat Whatever You Want

With a removable partial or denture, you have to adjust your diet. With dental implants that isn’t the case. Enjoy a juicy steak, bite straight into a crispy apple, and chew gum if you feel like it (sugar free, of course.) Dental implants give you the freedom to maintain a balanced diet and enjoy all of your favorite foods. It’s almost like having your real teeth all over again.

4. Designed to Last a Lifetime

When maintained properly, your new dental implants have the potential to last an entire lifetime. All you have to do is brush and floss them daily, schedule regular dental checkups, and keep the gums and bone around them healthy. They truly offer the best return on investment when it comes to tooth replacement.

Dental Implants in Midlothian, Cedar Hill

Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery is conveniently located between Cedar Hill and Midlothian at the Ellis and Dallas County line. Call us today to schedule a no-pressure consultation.

Impacted Canines: Causes and Treatment

Posted February 10, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Canines, cuspids, and “eye teeth.” Each of these names refer to those four more pointed teeth that are located in the corners of our smile (just past our front incisors). Their shape makes them ideal for cutting and tearing into firmer food textures, such as meat.

In a typical scenario, permanent adult canines erupt between the ages of 9-12, with upper canines being some of the last adult teeth to come in. But if these teeth fail to erupt properly in line with its neighbors, it could become partially or fully impacted. It’s estimated that around 2% of people will suffer from impacted canines.

What Causes Impacted Canines?

Any tooth can become impacted if it doesn’t have adequate room to erupt. Perhaps your child lost a baby tooth prematurely, causing the neighboring teeth to tilt inward. Or maybe they have a narrow jaw that restricts adequate spacing for larger adult teeth. As a result, the canine either becomes impacted up into the bone or may even partially erupt much higher up through the gum tissues, above the other teeth.

These teeth have some of the longest, thickest roots of all teeth in the mouth. Without professional intervention, the tooth will not be able to come down into a proper biting relationship (occlusion) with other teeth in your mouth.

Impacted Canine Treatment

The typical protocol for impacted canines is to uncover part of the tooth’s crown (which is the portion of tooth you typically see when you’re smiling.) At that point an orthodontic appliance can be affixed, so that the tooth can be guided downward into the appropriate position.

Unfortunately, the longer treatment is delayed, the more complex it will become. Early attention is essential.

Request a Consultation

Contact Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery to learn more about how we can help.

Top 4 Side Effects of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Posted February 3, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, removing them can be a proactive way to ensure the best scenario for your overall smile. Here are four common side-effects that we see from fully or partially-impacted third molars:

Pressure and Discomfort

Wisdom tooth pain is the primary reason why people seek out care. The pressure of erupting wisdom teeth — especially when there’s a lack of space in the jaw — can be compounded by infection or developmental cysts. Discomfort may come and go over several months, but chronic irritation usually will not resolve on its own.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth

Any time you have a wisdom tooth that’s pushing into the roots of its neighbor, you run the risk of permanent damage to that tooth. Depending on the scenario, the neighboring tooth’s roots may start to resorb (shrink). In the end, the life expectancy of your other tooth may be inhibited.

Crowded Teeth

As impacted wisdom teeth push forward, they exert pressure on the other teeth in your mouth. Gradually this chain reaction of forceful pressure can lead to changes in your overall tooth alignment (which is a significant concern if you’ve already been through orthodontic treatment.) The first place you’ll notice side-effects will probably be in your lower front teeth, with mild crowding or overlapping developing over a period of months.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

If your wisdom teeth are partially-erupted, the portion that’s visible above the gumlines is extremely difficult to keep clean. Even with everyday brushing and flossing, partially-erupted wisdom teeth tend to be highly susceptible to cavities and periodontal infections. Removing them is usually best.

Ellis County Impacted Wisdom Teeth Consultation

Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery provides comprehensive wisdom tooth consultations and removal. Reserve a consultation with us today.

Simple Tips for Financing Dental Implants

Posted January 27, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Dental implants offer the best return on investment when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Their predictability and integrity alone offer some of the most long-lasting results in modern dentistry. But when you’re restoring your entire smile at once, you may have some initial concerns about what costs are involved. Knowing that your investment can potentially last the rest of your life, here are some simple options for making your implant experience as accessible as possible.

Maximize Your Insurance Coverage

Our insurance coordinators will verify your benefits and get an itemized breakdown of your unique plan’s coverage. Each carrier is different, including the plans that they offer. So even if your friend has the same insurance company — be they someone like Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, etc. — it doesn’t necessarily mean your benefits will be the same. One of you may have a higher level of coverage than the other.

Utilize Your Flex Spending / Health Savings Account

Yes. You can use your flex spending account to pay for your dental implants. Health savings accounts allow you to set non-taxed money aside to help cover any medical expenses for that specific calendar year. It’s often used for deductibles, co-pays, prescription drugs, and yes, even dental care.

Low and 0% Interest Financing (Dental Implants)

Prefer to make modest monthly payments that fit into your personal budget? Explore our flexible 3^rd party financing plans. Both 0% and low-interest options are available. Get fast approval and start on your dental implant treatment as soon as you’re ready. Financing can be used independently or alongside of your existing dental insurance coverage.

Get a Customized Quote

During your consultation at Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery, we’ll discuss your goals, needs, and create a curated care plan that outlines the specific fees involved. You’ll have all of the financial information up front so that you know exactly what to expect.

Are you looking for dental implants in Ellis or Dallas County? Contact our Midlothian oral surgeon today to request an exam.

Do I Need a Referral to See an Oral Surgeon?

Posted January 19, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

If you’re thinking about getting an opinion on a specialized procedure — such as dental implants or wisdom tooth removal — you may be wondering which type of dental provider you need to see. Perhaps you already have a general dentist or maybe you haven’t been to a dental office in years. But you do know that oral surgeons are the experts when it comes to certain types of dental treatment. A referral to an oral surgeon may be just what you need.

Seeing an Oral Surgeon If You Already Have a Dentist

Are you seeing your general or cosmetic dentist on a regular basis? Talk to them during your regular checkup or call their office directly to ask for a referral. They can easily share a copy of your records and most recent X-rays with our specialty practice for a more comprehensive assessment of your oral health history. As professional partners in your care, we will coordinate therapies and clinical notes to ensure your personal priorities are addressed in a joint approach. And if additional images necessary – such as 3D CT scans – they can be shared with your referring dentist for them to reference in the future.

Oral Surgeon Referral: If You Don’t Have a Dentist

Feel free to contact Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery directly. You do not necessarily need a referral to schedule an exam. We’ll gather your insurance information and take an appropriate images on the date of your exam. After we address your primary concerns, be they something such as wisdom tooth pain or replacing missing teeth, we can direct you to an Ellis or Dallas County dentist for routine and preventative care.

New Patients Always Welcome

Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery provides comprehensive oral surgery services for families throughout Midlothian, Cedar Hill, Mansfield, Waxahachie and the surrounding communities. Contact us today to request an appointment.

What to Expect During an Oral Surgery Consultation

Posted January 11, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Planning to visit an oral surgeon for the first time? Your initial visit will be an oral surgery consultation to discuss your needs, concerns, and our Midlothian specialist’s recommendations.

Will I Need X-rays or a CT Scan?

Oral surgery involves careful articulation of procedures performed just adjacent to a complex network of oral anatomy. In other words, our oral surgeon needs to know exactly what your internal bone and nervous tissues look like. 3D CT/CBCT scans make it possible to “see into” your mouth and jaws at a higher level of detail than conventional 2D X-rays. As such, some type of imaging will be necessary at the time of your consultation. Although we may be able to use any images sent over by your previous dentist, it’s likely that we’ll need to take a new 3D scan before we start any treatment.

How Much Does a Consultation Cost?

A typical oral surgery consultation is usually covered by insurance. If a more detailed exam or x-rays are needed, we will file those procedures toward your insurance coverage (if applicable) for reimbursement.

What if I Need Treatment?

Not everyone needs to schedule treatment after an oral surgery consultation, but many do. Our oral surgeonwill present the options available so that you can co-plan your care alongside of us. Once our financial coordinator tabulates your care plan as it pertains to your insurance coverage, we’ll provide you with a detailed outline of any applicable costs involved, as well as your estimated out of pocket portion. Flexible financing plans are also available.

How Long do Dental Consultations Take?

The average oral surgery consultation typically lasts under an hour from start to finish. Your visit with our oral surgeon itself will usually be about 10-15 minutes, with added time built into the visit for scans, paperwork, treatment review, etc.

Request Your Oral Surgery Consultation

Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery provides comprehensive oral surgery consultations for patients throughout the Ellis and Dallas County areas. Many of our surgical and implant patients come from neighboring communities like Cedar Hill, Mansfield, Duncanville, Waxahachie, Dallas, and Ft. Worth.

Contact our office today to request your next appointment.

About Dental Implants in Midlothian

Posted January 4, 2021 by drslaughteroffice

Thinking about meeting with our Midlothian implant specialist to discuss how dental implants can replace your missing teeth? Here’s the basics of what you need to know before you give us a call:

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are biocompatible restorations that act like artificial tooth roots. Our Midlothian implant specialist will place them into the bone near the location of your missing teeth, filling in the space without altering your surrounding smile. They’re one of the most lifelike and non-invasive options for restoring your smile’s integrity.

How Many Teeth Can Dental Implants Replace?

As many as you need. Single dental implants work great for replacing individual teeth. But if you have several teeth that need to be restored, our Midlothian implant specialist can use a pair of implants to anchor a multi-tooth dental bridge. Or in the instance of full arch restoration, an All-on-4 treatment may be exactly what you’re looking for. Dental implants are extremely durable and capable of supporting more weight than an anatomical tooth.

How Long do Dental Implants Last?

When you care for them properly, dental implants have the ability to last the rest of your life. With a 98% success rate, modern implant therapy is one of the most predictable and long-lasting tooth replacement options available to our patients.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’re missing one, several, or all of your teeth, then dental implants may be the best way to restore your smile. However, there are a few criteria that must be met. During your consultation, our Midlothian implant specialist will need to evaluate your bone anatomy, screen for infection, and review your current medical history.

Midlothian Implant Specialist

Our Midlothian oral surgeon is an expert in single, multiple, and full-arch dental implant therapy. We’re conveniently located between Waxahachie, Mansfield, and Cedar Hill, making it convenient to access high-quality implant dentistry close to home.

Dear valued patients,

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