Oral Surgery Blog | Oral Surgeons, P.C. – Des Moines, IA

Full arch dental implants replace an entire row of missing or failing teeth using a small number of titanium implants anchored in the jawbone, rather than replacing each tooth individually. For patients who are missing most or all of their teeth in one or both arches, this approach can restore chewing function and facial support in a way that traditional dentures cannot always match. At Oral Surgeons, P.C., serving Des Moines, Ankeny, and Clive, Dr. Scott Johnson, DDS, MD, and our team evaluate whether full arch treatment fits a patient's oral health and goals.

Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, is used to correct misalignment between the upper and lower jaws that affects biting, chewing, breathing, or facial balance. Because the procedure repositions bone, recovery takes longer than most dental surgeries and unfolds in stages rather than all at once. At Oral Surgeons, P.C., serving Des Moines, Ankeny, and Clive, Dr. Scott Johnson, DDS, MD, and our team walk patients through what each phase of healing typically involves.

Facial trauma is an injury affecting the face, mouth, jaw, teeth, or nearby structures. It can involve anything from a deep cut or damaged tooth to a broken jaw or injury around the eye. Some problems are easy to see, while others become clearer only when pain, swelling, numbness, or trouble moving the jaw develops. At Oral Surgeons, P.C., serving Des Moines, Ankeny, and Clive, Dr. Scott Johnson, DDS, MD, and our team provide prompt evaluation to determine how serious an injury really is.

Wisdom teeth removal age can affect how straightforward the procedure is and how recovery feels afterward. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often develop during the late teenage years and early adulthood, but their timing and position vary from person to person. Some never cause trouble, while others become trapped, crowded, or difficult to clean. At Oral Surgeons, P.C., serving Des Moines, Ankeny, and Clive, our Wisdom Teeth team uses a dental examination and imaging to understand what is happening in your mouth.

Bone grafting for dental implants is a procedure that adds bone or bone-like material to an area where the jaw does not have enough volume to support an implant. The goal is to create a stronger, more stable foundation for the implant and the replacement tooth that will eventually sit on top of it. At Oral Surgeons, P.C. in Des Moines, Ankeny, and Clive, Dr. Scott Johnson and our team evaluate whether a graft is needed based on your jaw's condition, the location of the missing tooth, and your overall treatment plan.

Undergoing a tooth extraction is a standard procedure, but the recovery period requires careful attention to your mouth's healing process. While most patients recover without complications, it's important to stay vigilant for any warning signs that might indicate your body is struggling to heal properly. The team at Oral Surgeons, P.C. in Des Moines helps patients recognize these changes early so they can tell routine post-operative soreness apart from a genuine medical concern.

Dealing with late-stage molars pushing their way into the back of your mouth is rarely a fun experience. For most young adults, it comes with a bit of anxiety and a lot of questions about the budget. Understanding the average wisdom teeth removal cost can help you plan your finances or your insurance claims ahead of time without getting blindsided by the final bill. Here's how the team at Oral Surgeons, P.C. in Des Moines helps patients think through it.

When a permanent tooth fails to emerge through the gum line, it is considered impacted. This condition is particularly significant when it affects the canine teeth, which are essential for biting, tearing food, and maintaining the structural integrity of the jaw. Addressing an impacted canine requires a coordinated effort between dental professionals to safely guide the tooth into its ideal position, and the team at Oral Surgeons, P.C. in Des Moines works closely with orthodontists to make that happen.

Deciding to replace missing teeth is often the first step toward getting your smile back, but the physical reality of your jawbone plays a huge role. Sometimes, the area behind your upper molars lacks the necessary bone density to support implants effectively. A sinus lift is a common surgical solution that adds bone to the upper jaw, making it possible to proceed with dental implants safely. The team at Oral Surgeons, P.C. in Des Moines performs this procedure regularly to prepare patients for implant treatment.

After a tooth extraction, one of the most common questions patients ask the team at Oral Surgeons, P.C. in Des Moines is when it's safe to drink from a straw again. It seems like a small detail, but the suction involved can seriously disrupt healing, so it's worth understanding why the timing matters.