Dental Health – Christopher C. Babcock

Dentigerous Cysts

A surgeon at Louisville Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, Christopher C. “Chris” Babcock, DMD, MD, earned his medical and dental doctorates from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He focuses on dental implants and extractions at the practice. One reason that oral surgeons like Dr. Chris Babcock perform tooth extractions include treating dentigerous cysts.

Dentigerous cysts are smooth sacks filled with fluid that form in the jaws and gums around impacted teeth. They most commonly appear around the crowns of impacted wisdom teeth in the lower jaw, but can also develop around other teeth. Although sometimes painless and benign, these cysts can grow when left unchecked and become infected and painful. This may result in damage to the roots of teeth or the destruction of the supporting bones.

The slow growth and typical location of dentigerous cysts often makes them go unnoticed, and most individuals with these cysts do not know that they have them. However, cysts do become large enough for people to feel them on rare occasions. Dental professionals identify cysts during regular checkups or during consultations for orthodontic devices.

People who develop cysts should have them removed to safeguard the integrity of their teeth. During the procedure, an oral surgeon applies an anesthetic to the affected area and extracts the cyst. They take out the tooth as well, unless the cyst is small enough for them to either remove it by itself or drain it. In severe cases with large cysts, the surgeon might need to perform a bone graft to repair any bone loss or damage.

Symptoms and Treatment of a Wisdom Tooth Infection

An accomplished professional with significant experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Christopher C. Babcock, MD, holds a doctor of dental medicine from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He currently practices oral and maxillofacial surgery at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants. In addition, Dr. Christopher C. Babcock is skilled in dental implant placement and wisdom tooth removal.

The wisdom teeth are usually the last molars to emerge, and this generally occurs during the late teenage years or early twenties. Wisdom teeth vary in number, typically four in an adult, although some people have none. The wisdom teeth may emerge without any issue, while often there is a problem which may require tooth extraction.

When wisdom teeth erupt through the gum in a healthy position, the tooth can be retained if hygiene is good in the area. However, a wisdom tooth may remain impacted or erupt from the gumline at an angle and press against the oral tissue and an adjacent tooth. This is uncomfortable and may lead to infection. An infection of the oral tissue can be managed by careful oral hygiene in that region. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed. If the problem tooth is not removed, then infection may reoccur.

Criteria for Becoming a Fellow of the AAOMS

A staff surgeon at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, Christopher C. Babcock, MD is an experienced dentist with more than two decades of experience. Having served as an oral and maxillofacial intern at the University of Louisville, KY, Dr. Chris Babcock operates Babcock Professional Services. This enterprise offers oral and maxillofacial surgery contract care. Christopher C. Babcock, MD is also a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons represents about 9,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other professionals in the space. Individuals can become fellows of the AAOMS if they meet all the necessary criteria.

The first condition for being a fellow at the organization is that individuals must be certified as diplomates of the American Board and Maxillofacial Surgery. Also, only members of AAOMS or other professionals who can prove that they are operating within the moral, professional, and ethical guidelines of the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty can apply to become fellows.

Professionals who want to become fellows must also complete an advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery education course accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. In addition, prospective fellows must be practicing in the United States or any of its possessions. They must belong to the oral and maxillofacial surgery community of their state and submit additional written proof of their qualifications where requested.

How AAOMS Supports Oral Cancer Awareness

Christopher C. Babcock, MD works as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a business and healthcare executive. As an executive, Dr. Chris Babcock is the owner and managing partner of Babcock Realty. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Christopher C. Babcock, MD is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (AAOMS).

The AAOMS aims to provide patients with access to safe and effective care through oral and maxillofacial surgery. The organization also promotes and advances the skills and professionalism of AAOMS members. AAOMS uses various measures to achieve its goals, one of which is raising oral cancer awareness.

Out of all the people newly diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer, only 60 percent will live past five years. Because oral and pharyngeal cancers are usually discovered late, the fatality rate associated with them remains high.

Comprised of dental and medical practitioners who treat these cancers, AAOMS encourages oral cancer awareness by supporting two oral cancer programs observed in April. These are the Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW) and the Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Both programs are organized by the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance and Oral Cancer Foundation, respectively.

Advice for High School Students Who Want to Be Dentists

Christopher C. Babcock MD, DMD, is an experienced dentist with about two decades of experience. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, he performs dental implant surgeries, dental extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and oral pathology procedures for patients. Christopher C. Babcock became a dentist after studying at the University of Louisville from 1993 to 2003.

If you want to become a dentist after high school, there are many things you should do to make the process easy for yourself. The first and arguably the most important is to find out more about the line of work. You can achieve this by talking to a dentist or shadowing one at their office to get a better grasp of what you’re going for.

After that, it helps to have a post-secondary degree in science. Subjects like anatomy, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, etc. will be required on the way to becoming a dentist. The science subjects in high school will let you know whether you do appreciate some of the topics covered in dental school. However, don’t be disheartened if biology isn’t your strong suit; there are many dentists who majored in other non-science disciplines.

Types Of Dental Implants Available To You

Dr. Chris Babcock, DMD., is a dental health professional who studied dentistry at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. As an oral and maxillofacial staff surgeon at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, Christopher C. Babcock, MD., is responsible for placing dental implants for patients.

Implants are custom ordered, designed to fit into the bone beneath the gums, and made of a titanium alloy. They function like natural tooth roots and can be customized to match your specific needs. Implants can be used for any type of tooth loss, and there are varieties. Endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic implants are the three most prevalent forms of implants.

Endosteal is the most common and the safest; they are suitable for most patients. However, these implants must be fused to a healthy jawbone. They’re screw-shaped and serve as placeholders that set where the fake teeth will be inserted in the jaw. Subperiosteal implants are a common substitute for endosteal. These are not fastened to the jawbone but sit on the bone, just under the gums. Lastly, zygomatic implants, the most uncommon type accessible, are difficult and complex and are best saved for when there is insufficient jawbone for the endosteal implant. Rather than the jawbone, the implant is set in the patient’s cheekbone.

The ADA Supporting the Dental Community During COVID-19

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Christopher C. Babcock, MD practices his profession at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, where he performs dental extractions, removes wisdom teeth, and works on other dental-related issues. Christopher C. Babcock, MD is a member of the American Dental Association, an organization comprised of dentists and other industry professionals across the nation with the mission of advocating for high quality oral care for all.

The American Dental Association (ADA) works to empower those in the field of dentistry and advance the overall oral health of patients. The ADA also advocates for public health and other issues in relation to the field such as oral cancer and the opioid crisis that is ravaging America. Because of the ADA’s interest in such issues, the organization frequently engages with the government to pass legislation that helps both professionals and patients in the field.

In 2015, the ADA became strategic partners with the federal government and the Department of Health and Human Services with the mission to prevent opioid deaths alongside the American Medical Association Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse. More recently, in 2020, The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards officially recognized orofacial pain, oral medicine, and ten others as dental specialties. In addition, due to COVID-19 the ADA was forced to close its Chicago headquarters. However, the Coronavirus Center for Dentists was launched on the ADA’s website in order to keep members informed on new developments and provide guidance and resources to help practices, staff, and patients during the pandemic.

How to Perform a Self-Exam for Oral Cancer

Christopher C. Babcock, MD is an oral surgeon who practices at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants located in Louisville, Kentucky. Christopher C. Babcock, MD is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, an organization that advocates for industry professionals and raises awareness for causes that relate to the field such as combatting oral cancer.

Oral and pharyngeal cancer, cancer of the mouth and upper throat, kills around one person every hour of every day of the year. The deathrate of oral and pharyngeal cancer has a relatively high deathrate and only around 60% of people diagnosed will live longer than 5 years. Because of this, it is very important to know how to recognize early signs of this cancer to receive treatment as soon as possible, as this cancer’s deathrate is higher than others due to an overall pattern of late discovery.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends performing a self-exam every month. Using a bright light and a mirror, look and feel the inside of your lips and the front of your gums, then tilt your head back and feel the roof of your mouth. Inspect the inside of your cheeks, the back of your gums, and your tongue. Feel around for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of your neck as well as the lower jaw.

Specifically look for white and/or red patches, sores that don’t heal and bleed easily, abnormal lumps, and a mass or lump in the neck. If you are experiencing chronic sore throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or find any symptoms above, contact your oral doctor immediately.

What Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Christopher C. Babcock, MD, is a certified surgeon specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He obtained his DMD degree from the University of Louisville. Dr. Chris Babcock, MD, has acquired clinical experience in dental surgery, including wisdom tooth extraction.

In adults, wisdom teeth are four permanent teeth found at the back of the mouth. They are the last teeth that grow and erupt during the late teenage and early adulthood years. In cases when there isn’t enough space for wisdom teeth to erupt, the teeth become impacted.

An impacted wisdom tooth can cause pain and infection in the gums. The removal of impacted wisdom teeth prevents complications, such as cyst formation. In some cases, wisdom teeth do not cause any problems but are still removed based on dental recommendations.

Wisdom tooth removal requires anesthesia. Depending on the degree of impaction and the patient’s preference, the dentist can administer local or general anesthetic. The former numbs the gums surrounding the tooth whereas general anesthesia results in complete loss of consciousness.

During the surgical procedure, the dentist makes a small incision in the patient’s gums to locate the wisdom tooth. Once the tooth is accessible, the dentist may divide it into smaller parts to make the extraction process easier.

After removal, the dentist cleans the extraction site carefully to remove any leftover debris. Finally, they may stitch the wound and cover it with gauze to control any bleeding.

Does Insurance Cover Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

An accomplished healthcare professional, Dr. Christopher C. “Chris” Babcock holds an MD and a DMD from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Christopher C. “Chris” Babcock, MD, provides dental implants, extractions, and oral pathology treatment. He is also a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Depending on the provider, the coverage for surgical procedures by insurance plans may vary in the types of procedures and portion of expenses covered. Generally, oral and maxillofacial procedures that are crucial to the patient’s health have higher chances of being covered. For elective or cosmetic treatments, on the other hand, the opposite may be the case.

Oral and maxillofacial procedures that remove cysts or tumors in a patient’s cheeks, oral cavity, or jaw address medical issues that threaten the patient’s health, and are covered by most insurance plans. Also, procedures that help correct structural abnormalities (congenital or acquired) in the jawbone or other parts of the face are considered relevant and are thus included in many insurance plans.

Basically, cosmetic oral surgeries are elective, and most insurance providers do not offer coverage for such procedures. The types of procedures that insurance providers consider to be elective may vary.