rockycullens

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Having a Tooth Extracted - What to Expect

Dr. Rocky Cullens leads as owner, president, and practicing surgeon at Stonewood Hills Oral Maxillofacial Surgery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In this role, Dr. Rocky Cullens has performed numerous tooth extractions and same-day extraction and implant procedures. If a tooth is extremely decayed or otherwise interfering with the patient's overall oral health, extraction may be necessary. Calm and cooperative patients typically find that the procedure is simple and straightforward. It begins with the injection of a local anesthetic that numbs the area so that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, the dentist begins to widen the socket and separate the tooth from its connective ligament. This process resembles a miniaturized version of the removal of a tent stake. The dentist or oral surgeon will firmly rock the tooth from side to side, which creates pressure on the socket and causes it to expand. The surgeon then uses a specially designed lever or pair of forceps to lift the tooth out of the socket. If the tooth is impacted, the surgeon may need to break the tooth into pieces before lifting it loose. Finally, the surgeon applies a gauze pad to the empty socket and instructs the patient to apply pressure, which usually stops the bleeding. Certain cases may require a few stitches, but these most often dissolve on their own.

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Benefits of Dental Implants

s owner and president of Stonewood Hills Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Rocky Cullens offers dental implants to patients with missing or extracted teeth. Dr. Rocky Cullens provides qualifying patients with same-day implants, which can increase the convenience and benefits of this treatment. Dental patients today have a number of options for replacing a missing or extracted tooth, but implants are widely regarded as the most functional and effective. Unlike bridges, they do not require the grinding down of adjacent teeth to create a firm foundation, as the implant rests securely in the natural socket. Furthermore, bridges can lead to gum recession or the resorption of surrounding bone, both of which create aesthetic and functional distortions. Dental implants protect the adjacent structures by encouraging integration of bone, which stays healthy and strong. This integration also encourages the implants to stay in place as firmly as natural teeth, thus allowing for normal eating, chewing, and talking. Similarly, because they do not shift like dentures may, the implant provides a much higher level of comfort. Finally, the dental implant is designed to last for many years. Patients who care for their implants conscientiously may find that they endure throughout a lifetime.

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The Function of Humidors

Rocky Cullens, DDS, is an oral maxillofacial surgeon who heads Stonewood Hills Oral Maxillofacial Surgery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. When not busy with his professional responsibilities, Rocky Cullens, DDS, is interested in cigars. In fact, he recently purchased his first cigar humidor. For cigar aficionados, humidors are important equipment to ensure that cigars retain their quintessential flavor. Apart from their functional use, humidors serve as aesthetically pleasing displays for cigar collections. Humidor styles range from simple wooden boxes costing less than $100 to intricately designed heavy cedar boxes costing thousands of dollars. The most salient feature of a humidor is its climate control system. This system ensures that the humidity level within the box is optimal for the retention of the cigar's full flavor over a long period of time. The technology behind humidors has become more advanced, and some models even have temperature-control and humidification systems to maintain a precise environment for cigar storage.

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The Facts about Pericoronitis

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Rocky Cullens has treated patients since 2013. Dr. Rocky Cullens performs everything from surgical repair of jaw trauma to routine procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction. One common complication of untreated wisdom teeth is pericoronitis, an inflammation of the gum tissues surrounding a partially erupted tooth. Because the jaw rarely has enough room to accommodate third molars (“wisdom teeth”), these teeth often only partially break through the gums and erupt at an angle. This is called an impaction. In these cases, the surrounding gum tissues typically form flaps around the tooth, trapping food debris and bacteria. If not kept meticulously clean, the gums can swell and develop infection, which may spread without treatment. Initial treatments may include managing pain and infection with medications. The oral surgeon may also remove the gum flap, but the more effective treatment is to extract the wisdom tooth surgically, which will prevent future recurrences of pericoronitis.                            

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Surgery for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

As an oral-maxillofacial surgeon, Rocky Cullens, DDS, provides treatment for disorders and traumas of the mouth, face, and jaw. Currently a senior staff member, Dr. Rocky Cullens also leads as president and owner of Tulsa Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Inc. Surgery can be a key element of treatment for temporomandibular disorder (TMD), particularly when the condition has not responded to other treatment options. Before recommending surgery, a doctor is likely to confirm that the condition does indeed stem from an abnormality of the jaw, rather than of the surrounding soft tissues, as myofascial conditions respond less well to surgical treatment. Similarly, a conscientious surgeon will investigate whether the joint abnormality is the root cause of the condition, lest the problem recur. Temporomandibular joint surgery may be performed arthroscopically, a process that requires a small cut through which the surgeon places a special instrument equipped with a camera and light. The camera system allows the surgeon to use extremely small instruments to make the necessary adjustments to bone or cartilage in the jaw. However, if this type of surgery has failed in the past, or if the joint has significant damage, degeneration, or presents tumors, the surgeon may choose to perform an open procedure.

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Causes of TMJ Problems and Options for Care

Currently looking to open a new facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Dr. Rocky Cullens treats patients as an oral maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Cullens possesses interest in cleft lip and palate repair cases as well as temporomandibular joint surgery. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) provides movement in the region that connects the jawbone to the skull. TMJ complications can arise from teeth grinding or clenching, a jaw injury, damaged cartilage, an eroded disk, or arthritis. While some cases can be easily managed with nonsurgical treatments, more severe conditions causing increased pain and discomfort may only be able to be rectified with a surgical procedure. Doctors are likely to suggest a variety of medications and therapies before recommending surgery. Muscle relaxants, oral splints, and sedatives are among the first options to consider. If TMJ problems persist, corticosteroid injections or arthrocentesis can alleviate the symptoms; the latter uses a needle and fluid to irrigate the joint, removing inflammation byproducts and debris. The final option, surgery, is typically employed when a doctor notices structural issues that require repair or replacement of the joint.                             

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Oklahoma Dental Foundation Offers Courses to Dental Professionals

Possessing more than a decade of experience in dental surgery, Dr. Rocky Cullens serves as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. In addition, Dr. Rocky Cullens educates fellow practitioners by delivering continuing education courses via the Oklahoma Dental Foundation (ODF). Offering courses to dental professionals and providing dental care education to individuals in need are two ways in which the ODF achieves its mission of eliminating barriers to dental health care. Throughout the year, ODF offers training to dental assistants seeking permits to perform expanded duties. Topics include sealants, nitrous oxide, radiation safety, coronal polishing, and topical fluoride. For dental hygienists, ODF administers programs in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. However, ODF does not issue permits to dental health practitioners. Dental professionals need to seek permits via the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. Individuals may need to take courses from ODF if they have let their permit lapse or if they are seeking to transfer permits from another state.