If you have missing teeth or heavily damaged teeth that need to be replaced, dental implants may be right for you. Getting a dental implant, consists of a small rod placed within the bone beneath the gums where a tooth once was. The implant fuses with the jaw and eventually serves as an anchor for a crown or…
Guided implant surgery is a method that allows dentists to plan your implant surgery on a computer using Computerized Tomography (CT) as opposed to traditional panoramic x-rays that offer the dentist a limited approach during the planning and execution of the oral surgery. This technique ensures a more accurate process from plan to execution. Did…
A full mouth restoration offers patients who have experienced a variety of dental traumas. From those who grind their teeth (bruxism) to those who have had oral cancer to drug users looking for a fresh start, a full mouth restoration will improve both the aesthetics of your mouth and the function. This helps improve the…
The days and weeks following an oral surgery are an integral part of the recovery process. It is important to follow all of the surgeon’s instructions for care to promote healing and reduce the risk of post-surgical difficulties. Most patients experience a complication-free recovery and can return to work or school within one to two…
The first visit to our oral surgery office is your opportunity to become acquainted with our staff, services, and our office procedures. We utilize this time to listen to your concerns, confirm diagnosis, and inform you of your options for treatment. In most cases, the first visit is for consultation purposes only, and treatment will be scheduled for…
Many of the patients we treat come to us for the removal of multiple teeth – particularly if they are having wisdom teeth removed or preparing to get dental implants. Though this is very commonplace at our office, having several teeth removed at once is very different than having just one or two extracted. Patients should understand that…
The temporomandibular joint is the area where the jaw meets the skull. As the jaw grows through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood, complications can occur within this small joint, leading to chronic pain and other issues that affect a person’s overall quality of life. By visiting an oral surgeon for TMJ disorders, patients can receive a proper diagnosis…
Why Choosing an Oral Surgeon is Better Many of the procedures performed by an oral surgeon are also offered at a local general dentist’s office. This leaves many patients to wonder which type of provider they should choose for their oral health treatment needs. It is important to recognize, however, that while both providers may be ‘qualified’ to treat…
Oral pathology is the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in and around the mouth. It includes cancer growth along the tongue, cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums and the floor of the mouth. When a biopsy confirms an oral cancer diagnosis, an oral surgeon will discuss treatment options and recommendations with the patient. In many cases, surgery…
Facial traumas are challenging injuries for patients to cope with, particularly because can directly affect a person’s appearance and ability to do otherwise routine activities, such as speak and eat. Anyone with a facial trauma needs the attention and care of a specialist who understands the delicate makeup of the facial bony structures and the soft tissues that…
If you have missing teeth or heavily damaged teeth that need to be replaced, dental implants may be right for you. Getting a dental implant, consists of a small rod placed within the bone beneath the gums where a tooth once was. The implant fuses with the jaw and eventually serves as an anchor for a crown or…
Preparing for Intravenous anesthesia sedation is much like preparing for general anesthesia. There are some general prerequisites and instructions that patients must follow prior to IV sedation to ensure the safety of the procedure. It is important that all patients undergoing IV sedation thoroughly read and understand the directions we provide prior to the procedure…
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in the treatment of many oral and facial conditions, including diseases, defects, and injuries. Their work is generally isolated to the face and neck regions, incorporating both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and jaw. Many patients visit oral surgeons for complicated tooth extractions, TMJ disorders, and oral cancer,…
The wisdom teeth are the final four teeth to erupt from the gums – usually sometime between age 17 and 25. Ideally, the teeth emerge without complication. But according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, as many as 9 in 10 Americans have at least one wisdom tooth that is impacted. Even…
Jaw alignment is an important part of oral health. When the jaw is out of alignment, it can negatively affect the bite, as well as the function of the mouth. Some misaligned jaws are so problematic; they cause abnormal wear on the teeth and other secondary symptoms, such as headaches. Also known as orthognathic surgery,…
Bone grafting – also known as ridge and sinus augmentation – is a procedure used to build up the bone beneath the surface of the gums. The bones in the upper and lower arch of the mouth are responsible for supporting the teeth. When one or more teeth fall out, bone resorption occurs naturally. When…
Ridge and sinus augmentations are surgical dental procedures used to fill in areas of the gum line and underlying bone that have deteriorated as a result of tooth loss or extraction. Specifically, a ridge augmentation refers to the reconstruction of degenerated or underdeveloped gums, and a sinus augmentation refers to an enhancement of the amount…