Frequent Questions
Dr. Akin provides a variety of resources for patients to help them understand the various issues dealing with oral surgery, dental implants, wisdom teeth, and much more.
#1: Tooth Removal and Implant Planning
Q: If I need a tooth extracted, can I get a dental implant on the same visit?
A: Yes, and that's often the ideal approach. Immediate implants leverage your extraction socket before it shrinks after removal, typically with less healing time and a final tooth in 3 months. However, this requires specific conditions: adequate bone quality, no infection, and careful surgical planning. During your consultation, we'll use 3D CBCT imaging to map your anatomy and bone density down to the millimeter. If you're a candidate, you leave with the tooth out and a fixed provisional restoration or Dr. Akin’s specialized healing abutment to optimize healing. If bone grafting is needed first, we'll discuss that at the consultation examination.
#2: Why Wisdom Teeth Removal Matters for Overall Oral Health
Q: I have wisdom teeth but no pain. Do I really need them removed?
A: First, it is important to know that not all wisdom teeth need removal. Often, though, impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth become sites of chronic infection which can compromise adjacent molars. This is often a painless problem. The data is clear: extracting them when you're young allows faster healing, fewer complications, and possibly less cost if other teeth become involved. Recovery is often 3 days at our practice.
#3: What Sets Dr. Akin as an Oral Surgeon Apart
Q: What are the advantages of having an implant placed by a dual doctorate and board-certified oral surgeon?
A: The difference comes down to training, predictability, and judgment. An oral surgeon completes 6 years of advanced training after dental school, and Dr. Akin also holds a medical degree (MD). That dual DDS and MD training and board certification mean he understands not just your teeth but also your overall systemic health. We can manage complex cases: patients on blood thinners, those with sinus or bone anatomy that requires grafting, and cases where implant placement demands precision near vital structures. We also use IV sedation with physician-level anesthesia training, along with local numbing. Over 20+ years, he has placed thousands of implants with techniques published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Akin doesn't just place implants; he teaches surgeons at LSU Dental School. Your dentist gets a predictable outcome and a patient who heals smoothly and returns to them for the restorative work.
