Dr. Theodore Grellner
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Tampa, FL
50 years experience male
Locations
Theodore J. Grellner DDS, PA
Tampa, FL
About
Bio
After having been a general dental officer in the USAF for over 4 years, I completed specialty training in oral maxillofacial surgery at the Air Force's largest hospital: Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX. Currently in private practice in Tampa, Florida since 1989, the areas I am most interested in professionally are management of wisdom teeth, removal and replacement of back teeth with dental implants, and general anesthesia. I particularly enjoy working with teens because it is the easiest and least risky time to deal with wisdom teeth as well as the fact that they keep me perpetually young. It has been my goal to create for them the best experience with regard to their wisdom teeth as possible. My interest in general anesthesia over my career has been in creating a technique that renders the greatest control and the shortest, most comfortable recovery from an IV anesthetic. The result of my work over the past 10 years is that of creating a technique called QuickRecover IV Anesthesia that accomplishes each of these goals. Hobbies: photography, music (performance: oboe), outdoor activities including biking, hiking, golf, etc.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Licenses
United States: Florida
Doctor Q&A
48 Answers
18 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Not really ...: The cracking sound in your jaw is probably noise coming from your jaw joint in front of the ear. It occurs when your jaw slips across a cartilage band... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
DO: Do finish a prescribed antibiotic as directed unless side-effects or allergic reaction arise.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
It might be one of..: ... The lymph nodes close to the submandibular gland that is swollen due to the surgery. Since the mouth is populated with many bacteria, the wisdom ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Persistant numbness: ... Of the lower jaw (with a feeling of swelling) can also result when the lower jaw nerve lying against the roots of the lower teeth has taken pressu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Salivary stone?: You may want to have your oral surgeon examine the floor of your mouth for a possible salivary stone. A stone that blocks the end of this salivary du... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 75-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
It depends...: On whether you have taken any other osteoporosis medication before this last Reclast (zoledronic acid) injection, including another dose of Reclast (z... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Change is inevitable: A patient who gets dentures in their 30's will likely wake up 20 years later to find much less jawbone to hold their "teeth" in and a facial appearanc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Possible infection: While swelling and pain 7-10 days after a surgical procedure are to be expected, to be present 3 weeks later suggests an infection. While hematomas g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
"Reinforcements": Ouch! though it is possible to still have discomfort 7 days after an extraction, each day of continued pain may point to an infection that needs to be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Can't treat at home: A mucocele is caused by a blockage of thick mucous saliva produced by one of many small salivary glands in the lower lip. Though it might make sense t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Hm, quit chewing?: Not to be sarcastic, but sometimes the body warns us that we are injuring it by signaling us with pain. If you cut back chewing and avoid clenching o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Ignore: Removal of immature wisdom teeth from soft immature bone is far easier mid-teens than after age 20.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Emergency care: 8 weeks of ineffective antibiotic treatment risks ending up with a hard to treat infection of your jaw bone (osteomyelitis). You likely need broader ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Cauterization ...: ... Seems to bring the fastest resolution to canker sores. Though inconvenient, treatment of a canker sore with a carbon dioxide laser (many oral sur... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Temporarily: Teeth that have had root canal treatment are essentially dead teeth; they no longer have a blood supply to keep them strong. Because of this, they ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Possible ...: Complications from impacted teeth that are not removed are several. Once there is an opening through the gum to allow saliva (thus bacteria) to reach... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
While antibiotics are often overused, if the pain was from a sore and swollen gum (rather than a toothache) I get more concerned when infected gum tis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Oct 09, 2021
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Before: Before having a baby, see your dentist. Dental infections are more difficult to treat when pregnant.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Not necessarily : It might depend on which jaw is broken as to who may choose to treat you. Generally lower jaw fractures are treated by oral surgeons. Mid-facial fract... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
OMFS or ENT: While some oral &maxillofacial surgeons may operate on parotid glands, more commonly ENT surgeons will treat parotid pathology (assuming that only one... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Several weeks: It is not uncommon for an extraction site that was not partially closed with a gum flap to take several weeks to close, especially if a dry socket occ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
What to avoid...: A soft healthy, nutritious diet is always better than ice cream and shakes, but you also need to be somewhat careful. Avoid hard, crunchy foods that ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Yes, but...: If you can take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Ibuprofen or Naproxen sodium) without a problem, these otc meds are better pain re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Wisdom tooth?: If you haven't had your wisdom teeth removed yet, your first sign that you have wisdom teeth may be an infection of the gum behind your back molar. As... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Cauterization ...: ... Seems to bring the fastest resolution to canker sores. Though inconvenient, treatment of a canker sore with a carbon dioxide laser (many oral sur... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Like taking a nap: If done well, experiencing a general anesthetic is much like taking a nap. Though an IV is necessary, if the skin is numbed first, the rest is easy. A... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Perhaps: Since you were given this drug for an infection of some kind, it may depend on how quickly or completely your infection resolved with this med. Since... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
If ? See Oral Surg.: Infections are tricky to treat since most of the time you don't know how aggressively they will need to be treated. With a lag time of 2-3 days befor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Decay...: ... Causes teeth to weaken and break off. Since wisdom teeth are the newest teeth (the last to come in) decay despite brushing is your best indication... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Possibly: A lower jaw advancement will advance the base of the tongue, opening the airway behind it. Depending on the circumstance and the amount of advancement... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
A judgement call: Pregnancy complicates the removal of wisdom teeth in many ways. Choices of anesthesia and pain meds are more limited because of the pregnancy as well ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
It's not uncommon...: ... For someone experiencing pain in their mouth, such as with wisdom teeth, to either clench their teeth together (to unconsciously relieve the pain)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Problem sinuses?: A head cold - stuffy nose - blocked sinuses can often result in sinus infections. When the sinus in the upper jaw becomes infected, the gums can als... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Tonsillar "trash": The same happened to me many years ago. That little white clump of "stuff" was probably rather foul smelling and soft. It is not pus or a stone but so... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Informed consent: Goose - it seems that you missed a critical part of your consultation: understanding how difficult your two wisdom teeth may be to remove. Without un... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Preferably not.: It depends on the jewelry, but tongue rings could get caught in a tongue retractor, nose rings could do the same in a nasal mask (for oxygen or nitrou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
It depends...: On how difficult the wisdom teeth surgery will be and whether you prefer to be aware or unaware of it. Since most patients don't really know what to e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Who suggested this?: If you are doing this without talking to your dentist first, don't. Depending on your state dental laws, your dentist may not be able to give you nitr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
It depends...: Early surgical swelling, that peaks 48 hours after the surgery, will usually respond to heat therapy, perhaps using a warmed gel pack. Any swelling t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Dehydration?: Though it might seem too obvious, not drinking enough water to replace what you are losing with sweat, urination, etc. Should be the first thing to co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
They're infected: Ludwig's angina is a bilateral multi-space neck infection that is dangerous to the patient because it can compromise their ability to breathe. This ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Unlikely: The nerves most at risk for injury, especially when the roots of the wisdom teeth are fully grown, are the lower jaw nerves that give feeling to the l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
You don't.: Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is used today for analgesia (pain relief) and may provide some relaxation. It cannot safely be used for general anesthes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
You're right...: ... To think that a malignant lesion would show change over 4 years. While odontomas don't generally change, like an impacted tooth that is not remov... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Several reasons: Though I am not an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) doctor, the panoramic x-rays I commonly get as an oral surgeon can reveal masses in the maxillary sinus. Abno... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Perhaps: While fighting an infection can be a cause for fatigue, there are many other causes as well: sleep problems, anemia, poor nutrition, lack of regular v... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
Waiting: Waiting until your wisdom teeth bother you? They are harder to deal with when older and infected.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Theodore Grellneranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 50 years experience
The: The easiest ; least risky time to have lower wisdom teeth out is before their roots finish growing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
110
Thank you notes
Mar 31, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Grellner is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Grellner is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! i have had my wisdom teeth removed since 2009 had all them removed thanks i see my dentist thursday just thought id ask and see anyones idea
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you so much! I called my perio and will be seeing him today:) this isn't life threatening is it?
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! sorry but what makes the swelling go down then come back up again
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry
Graduated 1978MD
Medical/Graduate school
Washington University
Graduated 1973MD
Residency
Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio TX
Awards
Johnson & Johnson Research Fellowship Grant, 1977, to attend the IADR (International Association for Dental Research) Annual Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark
Top Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Second Place, Florida - Summer
2013
Affiliations
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Dental Association
Publications
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