Q: I am scheduled for open- heart surgery and am concerned about damage to my dental work. A friend of mine had a bad experience, which cost him thousands of dollars in repairs. How can I avoid this? Arthur in Boynton Beach
A: Firstly, I wish you only the best outcome of your surgery. I am impressed you are thinking of your teeth and your ticker! Dental damage caused by trauma from the anesthesiologists’ intubation process accounts for one-third of all medicolegal anesthesia claims, acceding to the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine (now stuck between my front car seats.) These accidents are usually caused by the anesthesiologist using the upper front teeth as a fulcrum for their laryngoscope while placing the breathing tube.
To avoid damage, loose teeth can be tied with suture material which would prevent dislodgement into the air way or esophagus. I take impressions on my patients pre-operatively and have a specialized custom mouthpiece fabricated, which will prevent all possible damage to their teeth and dental work.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers and Choosing a Dental Office, at the Ross Jewish Community Center on Jog Road in Boynton Beach on Wednesday February 22nd at 10:00 am. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. Seating is limited. Call “Shawn” at 561-259-3016 to register.
Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts the “Tooth Talk” radio on WBZT AM1230. (www.radiotoothtalk.com) On staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Dr. Mitchell Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry.
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drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com