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Black, white, and gray panoramic X-ray image shows 4 problematic wisdom teeth that need to be removed

Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth were helpful for early humans to eat diets that consisted of roots, nuts, seeds, and meat. Over time, humans transitioned from a hunter-gatherer society to a more agricultural society. Years of cooking and eating softer foods led the human jaw to become smaller.

For many patients nowadays, their wisdom teeth aren’t so helpful. For example, these third molars can crowd and damage other teeth, cause pain, and increase the risk of dental disease.

How Many Wisdom Teeth Do You Have?

Some fortunate patients don’t have any wisdom teeth. Others have anywhere from one to four in the very back of the mouth.

What Happens When These Teeth Don’t Grow In Properly?

Some wisdom teeth are impacted, which means they stay under the gums and don’t grow in. This can cause problems if they grow into neighboring teeth and push them into misalignment or damage their roots. Partially emerged wisdom teeth and those that erupt crooked are difficult to keep clean and can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and infection.

Best Age for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Removing wisdom teeth before they have a chance to cause any problems can prevent the patient from experiencing unnecessary pain, discomfort, and complications. Wisdom teeth removal procedures usually occur when a patient has reached their late teens or early twenties. This time frame tends to make for simpler procedures and shorter recovery times because the jaw is done growing but the roots of the wisdom teeth haven’t had time to fully form yet. However, they can be removed later in life with successful recovery.

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

We recommend patients schedule biannual dental visits at Royal Oak Dental Group so their wisdom teeth can be checked out on a regular basis. We can make a recommendation of if and when wisdom teeth should be removed based on our clinical examination, the patient’s oral health history, and X-ray images.

Some wisdom teeth grow in normally and don’t have to be removed. In other cases, we will see that one or more wisdom teeth are currently causing problems or are likely to cause problems in the future. If we determine that you would benefit from their removal, we’ll work with you to find a convenient time for their safe extraction.

If you are concerned about your wisdom teeth or your child’s wisdom teeth, contact Royal Oak Dental Group today! We have five office locations in North Carolina: Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Siler City.

July 31, 2020 8:00 am Published by Royal Oak Dental Group

Closeup of a women with red lipstick putting on Invisalign clear aligners from Royal Oak Dental Group

Benefits of Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign^® has been used by thousands of adults, teens, and kids to correct orthodontic problems and straighten teeth quickly and discreetly. There are many reasons why clear aligner therapy is a popular orthodontic solution. Here are just a few of the many benefits of Invisalign clear aligners.

Clear & Discreet

This is a popular reason why many patients choose clear aligner therapy over traditional metal braces, especially adults who don’t want it to be obvious that they are wearing braces. Invisalign uses thin aligners made of a clear plastic material that is virtually unnoticeable on the teeth. As long as you properly clean your aligners every day, they should remain clear and discreet throughout treatment.

Comfortable to Wear

Invisalign uses a patented material that has been developed over many years to be as comfortable on the teeth and gums as possible. The smooth plastic tends to be less irritating than other clear aligner brands and metal braces, which can rub against the inside of the mouth and cause soreness and discomfort. Since they are removable, Invisalign aligners make activities like eating, brushing teeth, and playing instruments easy and comfortable.

Efficient Treatment Plans

Invisalign can correct mild and moderate misalignment, as well as some more complex cases, in an average of 12 to 18 months. However, it is essential that patients wear their aligners at least 20 to 22 hours per day, otherwise their treatment plan will not be nearly as efficient.

Cost Effective

When clear aligner therapy was first introduced, it was far more expensive than wearing metal braces. Nowadays, the cost of choosing clear aligner therapy has come down quite a bit, to the point where it is comparable to metal braces in terms of price. It’s now more affordable than ever to pursue orthodontic treatment for yourself or your children!

Invisalign in Raleigh, Cary, Siler City, Chapel Hill & Durham

Royal Oak Dental Group offers Invisalign consultations at all five of our offices in Raleigh, Cary, Siler City, Chapel Hill, and Durham. At your consultation, we can help you determine whether Invisalign is the right orthodontic solution for you and discuss your payment options. Contact us today for more information about the benefits of Invisalign or to schedule a consultation at Royal Oak Dental Group!

July 24, 2020 8:00 am Published by Royal Oak Dental Group

Woman with bad breath covers her mouth with her hands in embarrassment

What Can I Do About My Bad Breath?

Chronic bad breath can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re not sure what is causing it. Here are a few things you can try to keep your breath fresh throughout the day.

Brush Your Tongue

Establishing a thorough at-home oral care routine is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and your breath smelling fresh. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Additionally, brush your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper. Bacteria can build up on the top of the tongue toward the back of the mouth. Brushing that area a few times with your toothbrush before you rinse and spit can help reduce bad breath.

Drink Plenty of Water

Saliva has many important functions, one of which is to clear away bacteria that cause bad breath. Drinking lots of water throughout the day can prevent bacteria from collecting in your mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free mints can also stimulate saliva glands and keep the mouth from getting too dry. Limit your consumption of coffee, alcohol, and soda, and quit tobacco products as soon as possible, which all lead to a drier mouth.>

Clean Your Oral Appliances

If you wear dentures during the day or a mouthguard at night, it’s important to keep these oral appliances clean to prevent bad breath. Reducing the amount of bacteria that collects on the appliances that you wear for many hours at a time can help keep your breath smelling clean. Invisalign^® aligners and other orthodontic appliances should also be thoroughly cleaned every day.

Consult with Our Team at Royal Oak Dental Group

If you feel like you have tried everything and you still have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, or your breath never seems to be as fresh as it should be, we recommend making an appointment with our team. If you are experiencing bad breath in addition to other symptoms, like red or swollen gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, tooth pain, or mouth sores, we recommend scheduling a dental appointment as soon as possible!

Bad Breath Treatment in Raleigh, Cary, Siler City, Chapel Hill & Durham

Bad breath can be a nuisance for patients, but it can also be a sign of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems that can become worse over time if they are not treated promptly. Our team at Royal Oak Dental Group would be happy to help you find a solution for persistent bad breath. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

July 18, 2020 8:48 pm Published by Royal Oak Dental Group

WELCOME over a drawing of a bouquet of flowers against a navy background to welcome new patients to Royal Oak Dental Group

Welcome to Royal Oak Dental Group!

At Royal Oak Dental Group, we are thrilled every time a patient joins our dental family! We have five convenient locations in Raleigh, Cary, Siler City, Chapel Hill, and Durham that are accepting new patients of all ages. Our offices provide a range of dental services to meet a variety of oral healthcare needs. Read on to learn a bit more about Royal Oak Dental Group.

Comprehensive Dental Care for Individuals & Families

In addition to routine cleanings and exams and other common dental services, Royal Oak Dental Group offers gum treatments, including gum reductions and advanced periodontal care, laser dentistry, snoring prevention, and neuromuscular TMJ/TMD therapy. We can repair appliances like orthodontic retainers and dentures, a service that not every dental practice offers. Because our experienced team can complete oral surgeries in-house, including wisdom tooth removal, there’s no need to be referred to an oral surgeon at a different practice.

Our goal is to be a one-stop shop for patients seeking exceptional, comprehensive dental care in and around the NC Triangle! Check out this page for more information about our locations.

Relaxing Dental Sedation Options

Our team utilizes both nitrous oxide and IV sedation to help patients feel more at ease in our office. Whether you have always experienced dental anxiety or you’re particularly nervous about a specific treatment that is coming up, our empathetic team will work with you to ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a sweet-smelling gas breathed in through the nose that makes patients feel calm and relaxed during their treatment. It is typically used for mild dental anxiety and minor procedures. Its effects wear off when the mask is removed. For IV sedation, calming medication is administered into the bloodstream to put patients into a calm, sleep-like state. Because its effects take longer to wear off, you’ll need someone to drive you home after your appointment.

Dental Emergencies Welcome

If you or a loved one ever need an appointment outside of your regularly scheduled dental visits, please give our office a call–we will be happy to assist. Any gum, tooth, or jaw-related issues that arise that involve moderate to severe pain, swelling, or bleeding usually fall into the category of a dental emergency. Likewise, if a tooth is cracked, broken, or completely dislodged, you will want to schedule an emergency dentist appointment as soon as possible. Our team of emergency dentists is available to help you and your family receive the care you need when you need it!

If you have any questions or concerns for our team, please don’t hesitate to ask!

July 10, 2020 8:38 am Published by Royal Oak Dental Group