Category: Blog

Incredible smiles require a perfect shape of teeth with equal alignments and strong bone structure. Not everybody out there is so lucky to have all of these naturally. Very few people have perfectly aligned teeth with perfect structure. If you are craving to have an attractive smile with an appropriate cemetery, you should consult a cosmetic dentist. This post will discover how to shape your teeth perfectly.

Can I change the shape of my teeth??

When it comes to changing the shape of your teeth, there are so many solutions available based on your specific problem in dentistry. Over the period, dentistry has developed a lot and created solutions for almost every dental problem – whether it is related to medicine or the country. Here are some dental treatments that would help you in reshaping your smile.

Teeth Reshaping and Contouring

It is the procedure that helps to make some minor corrections. It results in a little bit of loss of enamel. If someone has crooked or chipped teeth or has slight gaps between the teeth, reshaping can help you get perfect alignment. The treatment is very well known for correcting structure. It evens the length, filling up the space and creating a cemetery in colors.

Contouring is an astounding treatment for reshaping and restructuring. At the end of the treatment, get ready to have a bright and brilliant smile with perfect parameters.

Dental Bonding

Bonding is one of the widely used treatments for repairing. It is noninvasive. So everyone, even children with cracked and chipped teeth, is also eligible for the procedure.

The procedure involves the placement and bonding of composite resin plastic to fill up the cracks, gaps, and exposed areas of receded gums. The material is natural-looking and cleanly fills up the shortcomings of one’s smile. Bonding is of two types:

• Direct Bonding: It is a kind of bonding that requires just one appointment with your dentist. The expert places material on teeth with the help of intense light.
• Indirect Bonding: This procedure is simple and requires one step extra outside the dentist’s office. The dental professional prepares restoration material in the laboratory. It is done to repair severely damaged teeth.

Bonding helps repair:

• Cracked and chipped teeth.
• Uneven teeth.
• Gaps in between the teeth.
• Fillings.
• Discolored teeth and much more.

Porcelain Veneers

This cosmetic dental procedure is considered extremely helpful in retaining the smile that has been distorted because of excessive gaps between the teeth. Dentists will do some work on tooth enamels and surfaces to make sure veneers fit perfectly on the frontal teeth. Porcelain veneers are small caps made of biocompatible material and resemble your natural teeth.

If we talk about the time consumption, it takes 2-3 sittings with the dentist. The caps are manufactured in labs according to your teeth measurements. This treatment is invasive and could be an effective and less painful replacement for braces.

Smile Makeover

When it comes to recovering your smile, sometimes one cosmetic dental treatment is not enough. A smile makeover combines one and two dental procedures necessary and needed for complete restoration.

For example, a patient may need bonding, teeth whitening, and implants – all three treatments for getting perfect teeth shape. All these treatments are compulsory one after another for restoration. Many people need a complete smile makeover for a confident smile.

Getting Perfect Teeth at Family Dental Care-Oak Lawn

At our place, we have a team of experienced and qualified professionals. All of them are well qualified and experienced. Plus, they understand the value of your smile. When it comes to restorative dental procedures, no one can match their efficiency and skills. We provide almost every cosmetic dental treatment to make your smile more charming.

We have worked with a plethora of people in the past and tried our best in every case. We work for the patient’s satisfaction. We believe in honesty which makes us reliable and trustworthy. Over the period, we have built trust among our patients. If you are looking ahead to having cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental bonding, dental veneer, or some other, contact our cosmetic dentist near you at any time.

Tooth extraction surely is not a pleasant experience. When a tooth becomes completely damaged, there is no chance to protect it by any means and treatment. Once the dentist extracts the tooth or gum, there is no possibility of recovering it. Extraction is not the end of dental problems. What happens after a gum or tooth extraction. People may or may not be aware of the formation of dry sockets. This post will discover how to effectively manage a dry socket after tooth pulling.

What is a Dry Socket???

A dry socket is a situation that forms when a blood clot after extraction fails to develop appropriately. When it occurs, it could be painful. The blood clot should build within 3-4 days after removal.

If it does not form, patients could experience severe pain. Bacteria may infect the bone also. Although dry socket happens rarely, one should be careful and keen on the formation of blood clots.

How Do Dry Sockets Occur???

When it comes to the dry socket, we can’t put a figure on one cause. There could be multiple reasons like:

• Poor oral hygiene.
• Use of narcotic products.
• Drinking with a straw.
• Eating unhealthy food and more.

Dry sockets are very easy to identify. They barely require an X-ray for diagnosis. One can determine its formation by taking a look. There would be a space. If left untreated, it may lead to the destruction of jaw bone because of the accumulation of food. It results in the formation of plaque and bacteria.

How to Deal With Dry Sockets??

When dealing with dry sockets, you need your dentist’s assistance. After extraction, if you feel severe pain, you should immediately consult a professional. The dentist will help you heal faster with authentic methods and medications for dry socket treatment.

Medicated Dressings

Dry sockets are very easy to identify. There would be a vacant space at the site after extraction. Also, there would be no sign of a clot, or it gets formed partially. It causes immense problems and pain.

Your dentist will fill the space with medicated dressings. So, be careful about them and make sure to fix appointments with your dentist for change on fixed time intervals.

Oral Hygiene

Maintaining oral hygiene is a key to healing or preventing dry socket formation. You should keep the site clean. Take warm water and mix a pinch of salt into it and try to rinse your mouth multiple times a day. Don’t allow any food particles on the site. The accumulation of food debris may complicate the situation. It can affect the jaw bone too.

Follow Your Dentist

Dry sockets are extremely painful. You will not only feel pain on the affected site but also in the ear, face, and neck. Follow your dentist if you want to heal your pain in less time. Use the medications prescribed or changes they have suggested in daily life routine. In case you are experiencing the situation, consult a dentist in Munster instantly.

Say No! To Narcotics and Alcoholic Products

If you are addicted to alcoholic products and tobacco and smoking, stop using them at least for the time you are under treatment. The use of such products increases the symptoms of the problem and may interfere with the healing process.

Be Mindful about Eating and Drinking Habits

Surgery and sticky food are harmful because they instantly lead to bacteria formation. Don’t use straws for drinking any beverage. Calcium is an essential ingredient to boost healing because calcium is good for bone health. Include dairy products in your routine diet.

A dry socket may result in extreme pain but don’t forget it is treatable. If you feel pain after tooth extraction, it could be there because of the dry socket. Take action immediately and consult your dentist so that the prevention can be done effectively and before it gets worse.

Your cooperation in the treatment may lead to easy and early healing. Discuss your problem with your dentist and follow his instructions and medications. If you are taking medicines for other health issues, tell them about it so that the dental professional can provide you with apt treatment.

Sleep apnea is a problem in which patients feel shortness of breath while sleeping. Stopping for breath is there because of temporary blockage in the airways. It can happen multiple times with patients. The problem is inconvenient and can develop multiple issues with the patient’s overall well-being.

When we talk about the solutions and cures, it can be treatable with the use of some appliances that are helpful to prevent the blockage and maintain the continued supply of air. If you have mild symptoms, you should contact a sleep apnea dentist before the problem get worse.

Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea: Do They Work???CPAP or Continuous Positive Airways Pressure

It is a mostly used appliance to deal with obstructive sleep apnea. It keeps the throat airways open by maintaining a pressure air supply throughout the night. This machine is small in size and is easily portable. It generally has three parts.

• Mask:It covers the nose and the mouth.
• Motor: It continues the air supply.
• Cannula: A large tube that connects the motor with the mask.

Apnea is a sleep disorder, and anybody can get affected by it. When patients get destructive sleep overnight, they might not participate in their day-to-day activities as they should participate. It hampers the quality of life. The only way to live a happy life is to identify its symptoms at the early stages and start going for corrective measures immediately.

MAD (Mandibular Advancement Device)

A mandibular advancement device is another equipment used to cure sleep apnea. It looks like a mouthguard. It is light in weight and helps one sleep comfortably the whole night. Apnea sleep devices boost the quality of night sleep. The next morning, the patient feels relaxed and energetic for the routine work.

Tongue Retainer

It helps keep the tongue in its correct position so that it can’t create any blockage in the airways.

All sorts of sleep apnea appliances have their pros and cons. Patients find it a bit uncomfortable while sleeping wearing a tongue retainer. But after some time, they will develop the habit of being with them. They may seem difficult to deal with. But their results are phenomenal.

Advantages of an Oral Device for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea makes it scary to sleep. Patients with this health condition find difficulty in getting quality sleep. Oral sleep apnea devices make them comfortable during their sleep and keep their air passages open. If there is no blockage, they enjoy high-quality sleep. The side effects of the issue become lesser. These devices have phenomenal results and advantages.

Convenient to Use

Sleep apnea oral devices are so handy that anyone can use them. They are simple. Plus, one need not have professionals for their fitting. Patients with the condition can easily use them on their own. The other positive point is they are not bulky. Patients can carry them while traveling.

Non-Invasive Nature

When it comes to using these appliances, one can use them without going through any surgical treatment because they are non-invasive and involve no pain and recovery time. You can use the appliance immediately after you buy them. But make sure to buy them under professional guidance. Contact our dentist’s office near you to get a perfect fit for you.

Sleep apnea varies in type, and appliances should differ accordingly.

Customized

These devices are customizable to your mouth size and other parameters. It creates minimal discomfort. With time, the patient makes easy adjustments to it.

No More Snoring

Snoring is poor quality sleep. It not only bothers the patient but other family members too. After using sleep apnea devices, there would be no more snoring.

Grants High-Quality Sleep

These appliances keep air passages open and provide a constant air supply. Because of the continuation, there would be no stopping of breathing.

Oral devices do work when it comes to treating sleep apnea. They have shown remarkable results on millions of patients during the past many years. If you are suffering from the issue, certainly you should go for these appliances. But take into account the recommendation of the professionals. They would help you to pick up the right appliance and will do the necessary customization.

A swollen jaw results from a bacterial infection in the tooth, which can spread throughout the tissues of the mouth and leads to swelling. Toothache can result from a dental abscess where there is severe tooth decay which causes a painful abscess to develop inside the gum.

An impacted wisdom tooth can also cause toothache, which can lead to swelling. Before a dentist can treat the swollen jaw, they will inquire about the symptoms you have experienced and also about your dental history.

Family Dental Care looks at what symptoms relate to swelling and toothache and the potential causes of tooth and gum swelling.

What Symptoms Relate to Toothache and Swelling?

Some symptoms are associated with toothache and swelling. First, persistent pain radiates to the jaws, neck, and ear.

Tooth sensitivity is also a symptom of toothache and swelling. This is because when your tooth becomes sensitive to hot and cold drinks and foods, it indicates a problem with your tooth, and this sensitivity might also be caused by your gums being tender due to swelling.

A foul or bad breath is a symptom that accompanies toothache and swelling. This foul smell arises when the tooth abscess ruptures and a foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid is released into your mouth.

There is also pain when chewing or biting foods. This is associated with swollen gums, which become sore and tender, and therefore biting hard foods leads to a lot of pain in the infected tooth and the swollen gums.

Your teeth can also be discolored and become loose.

This is possible with swollen gums after the bacterial infection leading to periodontitis which arises if you have untreated gingivitis. This infection caused by plaque buildup invades the tissue and bones supporting your teeth, making them loose.

Other systemic symptoms are related to toothache and swelling, like fever and general body weakness.

Potential Causes of Tooth and Gum Swelling

• Tooth Abscess

An abscessed tooth is a bacterial infection that causes a pocket of pus to grow in various tooth regions. It’s also known as a dental abscess. A dental abscess produces moderate to severe discomfort, which can occasionally extend to your ear or neck.

There are three common types of tooth abscesses. First, a periapical abscess affects the tip of the tooth’s root. A periodontal abscess is on the gum next to the tooth’s root. Finally, gingival abscess affects the gums. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can be a life-threatening condition, and it is recommended you look for an emergency dentist near you if you experience a persistent toothache, pus coming out of your gums, and swollen glands under the jaw.

• Wisdom teeth irritation

The gums around the wisdom tooth’s upper crown can get inflamed and swollen, causing excruciating discomfort. Because the swelling under the chin is near the muscles that control your jaw, opening your mouth can be difficult and uncomfortable. Biting down might also be unpleasant due to pressure from your upper teeth pressing on oedema.

When there is inadequate space for wisdom teeth to grow in, they become impacted, leaving the gums vulnerable as the surface breaks, and this exposes the gum to food and bacteria, which can cause gum disease and infections. These infections lead to toothache, decay, and swelling of the gums and jaw.

• Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a moderate form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of the gingiva, the area of your gum that surrounds your teeth.

When a person does not perform proper oral hygiene, food debris is trapped between the tooth and the gum line. If this debris is not removed, it can cause dental decay and gum disease. This leads to the gum around the tooth swelling. Swelling can also be accompanied by redness and irritation, leading to toothache.

• Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, can lead to spontaneous bleeding of the gums, toothache, sometimes ulceration, and loss of teeth. Vitamin C is a vital component that aids in absorbing iron and the production of collagen in the body. Tissues will begin to break down if the body does not manufacture enough collagen.

Vitamin C is vital as it will strengthen your teeth and make your gums firmer, preventing bruising and gum problems.

A root canal is undoubtedly an amazing treatment to save your tooth. It is the last effort before extraction to rescue your teeth from damage. This practice has been there for many years, and millions of people have been saving their teeth by adopting root canals.

The procedure generally includes the removal of inflamed pulp instead of removing the whole tooth. A root canal has different stages- from examination to finally sealing the fillings.

Although various medications are available to suppress the pain during the surgery, people are still afraid of the treatment. Here we will clarify how much pain one experiences during and after the treatment.

In ancient times, the root canal procedure was extremely painful because of the absence of anesthesia and effective pain-relieving medications. These days everything is available. Everyone can easily endure the root canal treatment without feeling any pressure and pain.

Initial recovery phase

When it comes to the times immediately after the root canal process, one feels a mild pain. It could be there for a few days. After a few days, it goes away on its own.

Pain is there not because of the root canal but the cleaning process. Before moving ahead with the procedure, the dentist thoroughly cleans the tooth. To achieve this, professionals open a little bit of the tooth for pulp removal.

They go for deep cleaning so that nothing is left at the place that can damage the treatment in the future.

A root canal is done under anesthesia. For after effects, dentists prescribe medications. Successful root canal ends up in mild pain. After a few days, everything comes back to normal.

How Much Pain is Normal???

When we talk about today’s time, a root canal is not associated with severe pain. Thanks to the use of anesthesia and pain-relieving medications. When the dentist finishes the treatment, and you come out of the effect of anesthesia, you will experience mild pain. But if you are experiencing extreme pain, something is wrong inside. There could be many reasons for severe pain.

Swollen and Inflamed Tissues

Tooth pain after root canal would be there because of swollen and inflamed surrounding tissues. It is normal because of the deep cleaning process. If there is no other problem and the root canal has been performed successfully, it will heal with time. Also, there would be no pain after some time.

Overfilling

Before implanting the filling inside the tooth, dentists place a temporary one. Sometimes, they don’t even put it because they need to remove it. Carelessness on your part may become an issue for pain in the future because it may cause inflammation due to excessive pressure or biting force. The whole root canal process needs expertise. When you feel the need for the treatment, contact a root canal specialist in Crestwood immediately.

Tool Interference

A root canal involves the removal of inflamed pulp, which is a very keen process. Before pulp removal, it requires deep cleaning. For that, dentists use sharp tools. Sometimes during the process, they create wounds in their surroundings that may cause pain afterward.

When to Seek Help from an Endodontist???

Mild pain after treatment is normal. The reasons mentioned above may take a bit of time to heal. But after some time, they will heal. If you are not getting the cause for the pain and there is severe pain, you should not avoid the situation. Don’t wait too long. Just go and get help from the dentist near you immediately.

Severe pain after a root canal could be there because the bacteria inside has not been correctly cleaned. It causes damage inside the tooth. The second reason may be a crack in the tooth.

Another reason could be the presence of another inflamed pulp that might escape from the dentist’s eye. In each case, the patient will feel severe pain. Only the dentist can resolve it.

The best thing about the root canal treatment is that the expert can redo it if it fails. The chances of failure are minimal. To avoid them, choose a professional with adequate skill and experience. Our best root canal expert is just a click away for you.

TMJ is scientifically known as the Temporomandibular joint. It is responsible for joining the skull with the jaw bone. When people suffer from TMJ disorders, they have problems with the smooth movement of the mouth. They feel discomfort in the opening and closing of their jaw. This condition even leads to issues in chewing as well as in smiling. The situation may vary from mild to severe.

Neck pain, headache, and ear pain are the problems people usually encounter. When they have such joint issues, it could harm the routine life as the patient would not be able to speak comfortably and have discomfort in eating. This post will explore how to cure TMJ permanently.

What Causes TMJ Disorder?

People usually jump on the solution first. But without finding the cause of the issue, you cannot find a solution. Certain situations may cause TMJ issues. Some of them are:

Poor oral hygiene

We have only one set of teeth, and they would be there for a lifetime. Although dental solutions are available, nothing can match the functionality and comfort of natural teeth. Oral health is crucial to maintaining the overall well-being of the body. Poor oral hygiene could be a reason for the TMJ issue.

Accidental Injury to Mouth

It is the prime cause behind the issue. Accidents are unavoidable and unfortunate. Distortion in the jaw bone could easily happen when something strikes your face, and you fall. These can happen while you are playing some sports.

So, if you are a player and involved in some ground sports, be mindful about wearing a mouthguard.

Aging

Aging is another possible cause of the issue to occur. With growing, wear and tear of jaw bone also grow. Due to this, TMJ issues may arise.

Curing TMJ Disorder Permanently

Managing TMJ pain is a struggle. When it comes to curing it naturally, there are different ways. If there is mild pain, it can cure at home. For severe pain (if your jaw is broken), you will require surgery. But if the pain is mild, it could be healed at home. Here are some methods that will help in TMJ permanent treatment.

Apply Moist Heat

Heat therapy is beneficial in joint pain. Your jaw joint is like any other joint in your body. You must have heard doctors suggesting moist therapy for pain relief. In TMJ pain, the moist heat also works as a pain reliever. The process is quite simple. Take a hot water bottle, wrap it in a damp cloth, and put it on the affected area. Don’t take too hot water. You will surely feel relieved.

Use of Ice Packs

They work wonders on joint pain and are a comfort to use. Just take some ice cubes, wrap them in a cotton cloth, and put them on your jaw. You will have a pleasant experience.

Eat Soft Food

Hard food requires excessive jaw movement in chewing. It increases the TMJ problem. In such a situation, while you are battling against the TMJ issue. Make sure you eat soft and tender food so that there will be little or no pressure on the jaw.

Jaw Exercises

They are necessary even when you do not have TMJ. It boosts the flexibility in your jaw, and there would be fewer chances for this problem to occur. Regular exercise will enhance jaw movements. After some time, you will return to your normal position.

You can discuss with your dentist the safe and effective jaw exercises.

Learn More About TMJ Cure at Family Dental Care

When it comes to TMJ problems, professionals need to understand the cause before moving toward a solution. It helps them provide effective relief and appropriate treatment to the patient.

At our place, our expert will analyze the problem. They will go through every measure possible to diagnose the problem. After getting the root cause, they will start suitable treatment. We are among the trustworthy TMJ doctor in South Chicago. We are experienced and have the capabilities to deal with any or every dental problem. If you are on the hunt for a qualified place to have quality TMJ treatment, contact Family Dental Care Chicago now.

It is common to see your regular dentist when you need a cavity filled, and a single tooth pulled. Regular checkups, restorations, and basic cosmetic procedures your general dentist perform can maintain your mouth healthy. They’re always busy putting crowns on teeth, fitting dentures, and assessing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

However, what if your dental problems necessitate lower jaw surgery or a full denture implant? You would visit an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in those circumstances. Let’s take a closer look at what these oral specialists do and what makes them different from each other.

What is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and abnormalities of the face, mouth, and jaw. Dental Maxillofacial surgery can involve anything from wisdom tooth extraction to cleft lip and palate surgery.

An OMS often spends another 4-6years in a hospital-based residency program after completing the dentistry school. They may become board-certified, pursue a second medical degree, or finish specialist fellowships.

Your OMS will acquire considerable training and experience in all facets of anesthetic administration during this period. The many procedures that an OMS performs necessitate this anesthetic skill.

Procedures That Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMSs) Perform

For various reasons, your dentist may send you to an OMS. The following are some of the most common oral and maxillofacial operations.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

An impacted wisdom tooth does not just cause pain but also damages other teeth. It may even result in other dental issues. It necessitates more extensive surgery to cut the gum and remove any bone above the tooth. It is also not overly intrusive, though stitches are necessary, which may be self-dissolving or eliminated a week later.

An expert oral surgeon pulls impacted wisdom teeth to relieve pain and lower the risk of infection. After dental surgery, there may be some bleeding which a gauze pad is enough to control. Rinse the area with warm salt water for a few days to make it clean and prevent infection.

Jaw Surgery

If you have a jaw problem that is not possible to resolve with orthodontics alone, jaw surgery is what you should consider. Orthodontics focuses on the adjustment of the jaws and teeth. The orthodontist and oral surgeon will collaborate to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Jaw surgery is helpful in various issues like the following:

• Making everyday activities such as biting, chewing food, or swallowing easier.
• Repairing an injury or congenital issue on the face.
• Fixing breathing issues like OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).

Cleft Lift or Cleft Palate Surgery

The OMS treats cleft lip and palate patients. Cleft lip and palate surgery are performed on newborns and young children. The jaw and face components are restored, allowing for normal function and appearance.

To manage the challenges associated with these defects, such as eating, speech, hearing, and psychological development, children born with these diseases generally require the talents of numerous professionals.

Reconstruction Surgery

Patients with deformities of the jaws due to oral and facial region trauma are handled by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The patients often have a lower quality of life if they do not get sufficient treatment.

The repairing procedure of the oral cavity (replacement of lost teeth and gums) occurs once a functional reconstruction is completed. Inter-disciplinary planning with surgeons and prosthodontic specialists is the first step in restoring oral function.

Dental Implants

In most cases, implants are placed under local anesthetic. The gum is sliced and pushed aside to expose the underlying bone after the local anesthetic injection takes effect.

After that, the expert drills a hole into the bone and screws the implant. The gum is then put back at the right site with stitches. The stitches are normally dissolvable but can take various weeks to vanish.

When Should You Look for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?

It is crucial to look for an oral maxillofacial surgeon near you if you have severe facial trauma and need a tooth extraction or orthodontic treatment. Alternatively, visit Family Dental Care – Calumet City site today.

What Is Cleft Palate Repair?

Cleft lip and palate repair in Oak Lawn is an orofacial surgical procedure for repairing splits or openings in the upper lip and the roof of the mouth palate. For several patients, the surgery involves repairing both the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. A cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur in many babies, usually as isolated conditions. However, cleft lips and palates are associated with inherited genetic syndromes in some situations.

Cleft palate and lip repairs are typically done on babies, usually within the first 12 to 18 months of life. The reason is that a surgeon can achieve optimal results with minimal scarring on the face. The earlier the surgery, the better the results. Besides, cleft lips and palates create many functional problems, including eating and breastfeeding difficulties.

Diagnosing Cleft Lip and Palate

It is relatively easy to identify orofacial challenges that your child may have after birth. However, it is possible to diagnose orofacial clefts during pregnancy. Routine ultrasound is especially useful for diagnosing cleft lips. However, some orofacial clefts can only be diagnosed later in life, including submucous cleft palate and bifid uvula.

What Causes Orofacial Clefts?

Medical experts are still curious to find the underlying causes of orofacial clefts, just like you are as a parent. Until now, it is still unclear how the defect occurs in babies. However, since cleft lips and palates are birth defects, medical experts and researchers have identified multiple reasons that could increase the risk of the condition. Some of the factors are:

1. Genetics – inherited conditions and syndromes can increase the likelihood of cleft lips and palates.
2. Smoking – women who frequently smoke, particularly during pregnancy, have an increased probability of birthing babies with cleft lips and palates.
3. Underlying health problems – if you are using medication to treat epilepsy during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, your child may be born with this birth effect.

Why Do You Need Cleft Palate and Lips Surgery?

Repairing a cleft lip and palate is not merely a cosmetic procedure and should not be considered an elective treatment. Instead, patients need corrective surgery for the following reasons:

1. To improve speech
2. To improve breathing
3. To ease feeding – both breastfeeding and eating
4. To aid language development
5. To improve hearing

Aside from orofacial surgery, our oral surgeons at Family Dental Care – Oak Lawn may recommend additional treatments and therapies to promote general body wellness and development. Some of them include:

1. Speech therapy
2. Orthodontic dental care
3. Ear treatment – to manage infections and improve hearing abilities.
4. Psychology and therapy

How Many Surgeries Does It Take to Fix a Cleft Palate?

While as a parent, you would like for the problem to be done in just one procedure, it often takes a series of surgeries to restore a normal-looking appearance and functionality. After a few procedures when young, your child may still require another surgery when they get older.

Technically, the surgical treatment for cleft lip or palate will vary from one person to another. Some factors that may affect the treatment plan include age and the severity of the cleft. Besides, if your child has other birth problems, more surgeries may be necessary to rectify them.

What Happens After Cleft Palate Repair?

The period of surgeries to repair the problems may be a little overwhelming for both children and parents. You will need to make several adjustments to support the healing and recovery of your child in between surgeries. This may include changing up the feeding strategies or getting hearing aids, among other things. Things should get better after the surgeries.

After a series of surgery, you should have a relatively normal appearance. Your mouth and nose should function much better than before the surgery. However, you may need to work on building up your self-esteem. Children might need psychological care to help them maneuver the differences they identify between other kids and themselves.

Aside from that, many patients of successful orofacial cleft surgeries do well in life, leading normal, healthy, and happy lives like everyone else.