Archive for the ‘ Oral Surgery Blog for Patients ’ Category

VIDEO: What to Expect After Oral Surgery

The first 24 hours after surgery are really important to minimize swelling and jump-start the healing process. The best thing you can do to avoid swelling is sit in a semi-reclined position rather than laying flat. You should also avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting smoking and using straws. From pain relief to post-surgical oral care, we’re […]

An Old Friend Becomes a New Colleague

Richard W. Panek, DDS, could have scoured the globe for a new oral surgeon for the Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants (COSDI) and not found a better-qualified candidate than the kid who grew up next door. Grand Rapids resident Mark Grinzinger, DDS, MD, 32, who joined the practice this past summer, was Dr. […]

How a Long Face Can Impact Health

About one in five Americans has long face syndrome, known clinically as “facial hyper divergence.” In patients with this condition, the lower part of the face that includes the jaw and chin is longer than normal, which makes the face appear long and narrow. Hyper divergence can develop in early childhood and persist through adulthood. […]

The Dangers of Do-it-Yourself Dentistry

When you’re looking to fix something around the house, the internet can be a great place to find how-to tips. Unfortunately, some people have extended that idea to their teeth, surfing social media to find “do-it-yourself dentistry” tips for perfecting their smile. But beware: These “hacks” can seriously damage your teeth and cause more complicated […]

Could Gum Disease Increase Your COVID-19 Risk?

Few diseases have provoked as much anxiety in recent times as COVID-19. Many of us continue to do everything we can to avoid catching it, from wearing masks and washing our hands often to following social distancing guidelines and being vaccinated. Some experts, however, believe there’s one more protective strategy that’s been overlooked: keeping our […]

Help for Dry Mouth

Most of the time, the inside of the mouth is moist. But what if that moisture is chronically absent? This condition, called xerostomia or dry mouth, happens when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. What little saliva is made becomes thick and the mouth feels sticky or dry. Chewing, swallowing or speaking may become […]

Is the Pandemic Damaging Your Teeth?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the stresses that have come with it have affected every aspect of our lives—including, it turns out, our dental health. To gain a better understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted dental practices, the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute has been conducting biweekly polls during the pandemic. The results of a […]

COVID-19: How it Affects Oral Health

When you think of COVID-19 symptoms, what comes to mind? Probably a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath—perhaps loss of taste and smell. Yet an inability to enjoy the flavors of a savory bowl of pasta or your favorite dessert is not the only oral health problem people can experience with this virus. Below […]

Restoring Function and Esthetics

To give you a little insight into our team and provide some lighter reading, we include Q&A profiles like this one in our e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy learning more about Richard W. Panek, DDS, dedicated oral surgeon, expert in dental implants and facial trauma, outdoor enthusiast and traveler. Why oral surgery? I enjoy being […]

Do You Need Antibiotics Before Dental Treatment?

Antibiotics can save lives. But if they’re prescribed when not medically necessary, they can do more harm than good. For example, antibiotics can cause dangerous adverse allergic reactions in some people. In addition, the more antibiotics are prescribed in the general population, the greater the chance that drug-resistant bacteria will develop. While no one argues […]