TMJ Pain: When Self-Care Is Enough and When to See a Specialist
Most jaw pain improves with simple, conservative care. Here is what helps, which symptoms mean it is time for an evaluation, and what treatment involves.
The Molly Journal
Plain answers from our surgeons
Written by our surgeons and specialists for patients, parents and referring dentists. What to expect, what it costs, and how recovery really goes.
Does Insurance Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal? A Plain-English Guide
How dental and medical insurance handle wisdom teeth removal and sedation, what the billing codes mean, and how to avoid surprises before surgery day.
Oral Cancer Screening: What It Involves and When to Get Checked
Who is at risk for oral cancer, the early signs worth watching, what happens at a screening and biopsy, and why a sore lasting two weeks needs a look.
Corrective Jaw Surgery Recovery: What to Expect, Week by Week
A realistic timeline for recovering from corrective jaw surgery: the hospital stay, swelling, diet, numbness, returning to work or school, and follow-ups.
When Should Teens Have Their Wisdom Teeth Evaluated?
Why the mid-teens are the best time for a wisdom teeth check, what the evaluation involves, and how to tell whether removal is needed now, later or at all.
Dry Socket: The Signs, the Timing, and How to Prevent It
What dry socket feels like, when it tends to appear after an extraction, who is most at risk, and the simple habits that lower your chances of getting it.
Do I Need a Bone Graft for a Dental Implant?
Why some implants need a bone graft, how a 3D CBCT scan shows it, the common types of graft, what recovery is like and how it affects cost.
What to Eat After Oral Surgery
Soft foods for each stage of recovery after wisdom teeth, extractions or implants, what to avoid for a week or two, and how to get enough protein.
All-on-4 vs. Dentures: How to Choose
A prosthodontist compares full-arch implant teeth (All-on-4 or All-on-X) with conventional and implant-supported dentures: comfort, bone, cost and process.
IV Sedation vs. General Anesthesia: What’s the Difference?
A dentist anesthesiologist explains the difference between IV sedation and general anesthesia for oral surgery, how we monitor you and how to prepare.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Southern California?
What a dental implant typically costs in Southern California, what a complete quote includes, what adds to it, and how insurance and financing help.
Wisdom Teeth Recovery, Day by Day
What the first week after wisdom teeth removal usually looks like, from surgery day to day 7, and the signs that mean you should call your surgeon.
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