Select from the list of topics about common conditions found in patients. Each topic contains information about the condition and treatment process, supported with graphic illustrations. For further information contact our office by telephone during office hours.

Q: What does an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon do?
A: An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (commonly called oral surgeons), specializes in the functions of the mouth, teeth and jaws and provides surgical treatment for conditions such as wisdom teeth removal, oral implants, root canals, etc. Beyond going to dental school, oral surgeons complete a 4 year residency at a university hospital that provides a certified oral and maxillofacial program.

Q: What are dental implants?
A: Implants are tiny titanium posts, which are placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. The bone eventually bonds (osteointegrates) with the titanium to form a strong foundation for the artificial teeth. Eventually, small abutments or posts are attached to the implant and will protrude through the gums. Later, a prosthesis which resembles a natural tooth, is attached to the abutment.

Q: What is TMJ?
A: TMJ or temporomandibular joint is a dysfunction of the complex joint to the lower jaw. Common symptoms are pain and a "clicking" sound which may occur due to grinding your teeth, stressing the TM joint or even tightening the jaw muscle or could stem from an accident or injury.

Q: What is laser treatment?
A: Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The laser, which emits burst of radiation, vaporizes skin cells, which in turn are absorbed by water in these cells. Laser skin resurfacing involves no blood and is treated under light sedation.

Q: What areas of the skin can be treated with laser surgery?
A: Laser treatment can remove unwanted tissue, like wrinkles, scarred, lined or other imperfections of the skin. Areas which can be treated are areas around the mouth and eyes and can also be used to treat tiny wrinkles, acne scars, warts, moles, blemishes and can even improve sun-damaged skin.

Q: Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
A: Wisdom teeth, also called Third Molars usually need to be removed because of overcrowding in the mouth. The average adult has 32 teeth but the average mouth can only hold 28 teeth and often it is painful when these four wisdom teeth attempt to grow inside. They can grow in sideways and these impacted teeth may try many positions in the bone in order to erupt.

Q: What type of anesthesia can be given?
A: There are 3 types of anesthesia which can be given depending on your level of comfort. The first is local anesthesia (freezing) which will numb the area. The second form is IV sedation which is administered if you desire to be partially conscious of the surgery. The third type is general anesthesia which is given if you wish to be fully asleep.

Q: Why can't I drive after surgery if I feel able?
A: It is strongly required that driving or the operation of machinery is not performed because for up to 24 hours because the medications used for sedation remain in the blood stream.

Q: How do I know if my insurance will cover my procedures?
A: Upon your first visit to the office, a pre-treatment estimate will be performed which will be submitted to your insurance company, who will in turn indicate how much you are covered. You are responsible for the co-payment, any deductible and the remaining balance after your procedure.

Q: When should my wisdom teeth be removed?
A: Early detection is best for removal of the third molars which typically takes place in the mid-teenage years. Your dentist, orthodontist or oral surgeon will do an oral examination and x-ray of your mouth to best determine if there will be any problems.

Dental implants are permanent solutions for replacing missing teeth. Implants are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They act as anchors and are designed to provide foundations for your replacement teeth.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live. With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.

The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when your wisdom teeth are prevented from properly erupting. For many patients, this simply means that they do not have enough room in their jaws for four additional teeth. It's sensible to have the wisdom teeth removed before they become impacted, which can cause pain, cavities, infection, or gum disease. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, or even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. When wisdom teeth partially erupt, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and cause infection. The result is swelling, jaw stiffness, and pain. Pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth can move adjacent teeth and disrupt the alignment of surrounding teeth.

More serious conditions occur when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, causing the destruction of jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these conditions. Early removal is recommended to avoid future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Periodic checkups and x-rays will allow the dentist to determine if your wisdom teeth have enough room to erupt. Early removal may be advised to avoid an impaction that may compromise the health of your mouth.

Orthognathic surgery is a corrective jaw surgery used to treat abnormalities in facial bones and teeth. This type of surgery is generally performed in conjunction with orthodontics so that the teeth are in proper position thereafter. Using sophisticated surgical techniques, the facial bones can be repositioned in order to restore function and an aesthetic appearance.

In repositioning the upper and lower jaws, the rear portion of the jawbone behind the patient's teeth is separated, and the tooth-bearing portion can be repositioned forward or backward; the jaw can also be raised or lowered. Surgery may require the jaws to be separated into several parts, adding or removing bone to achieve proper alignment. Other facial bones that contribute to the imbalance may also be repositioned, augmented, or reduced in size. Miniature titanium plates and screws are used to fix the facial bones in their new positions.

Depending on the extent of surgery being performed, orthognathic surgery is performed in the hospital or outpatient surgical center. Procedures last anywhere from one to several hours. Some patients consider having cosmetic procedures along with orthognathic surgery to enhance their new appearance, such as surgery on the eyes, nose, chin, or neck.

Dental implants can provide a safe, predictable way for the surgeon to restore patients to proper health and appearance. Areas that do not have enough bone to facilitate implant placement (a prerequisite for this type of therapy), however, must be augmented through a surgical procedure called "guided bone regeneration." This term describes a technique whereby bone grafts are used to increase the volume of a deficient bone structure or ridge.

Autogenous bone grafts (autografts) are tissues that are transplanted from a donor site to the graft site within the same individual. Autografts improve the success of the grafting procedure by reducing the risk of inflammation and infection because living bone is transplanted from within the same patient. Synthetic bone grafts (alloplasts) are also available and provide the advantage of reducing the number of surgical sites.

Common bone graft procedures utilized in attaining suitable bone structure include the sinus-lift procedure, in which the surgeon elevates the sinus membrane and the bone graft is placed onto the sinus floor, and ridge augmentation, where a bone graft is placed to increase the ridge height and/or width. Your surgeon will make a decision based on the graft material available and your personal situation.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to manage and treat facial trauma to the teeth, the facial bones, and the jaws. Injuries to teeth can involve partial to total dislocation of a single tooth or multiple teeth. Repositioning of the dislocation utilizing a splint or orthodontic appliance may be necessary. Following injury, immediate treatment is recommended to ensure proper healing of the patient's facial and oral structures.

Treatments for trauma to facial bones are the same as those for broken arms or legs. Your bones must be lined up and held in position long enough to allow healing (6 weeks or more). Simple fractures are stabilized utilizing splints or other devices. Fractures to the jaws may impair the patient's ability to chew. These fractures are treated using arch bars, which are fixed to the patient's teeth.

More complicated facial fractures often require surgery to align and stabilize the bone segments. The fracture is further stabilized using wires or bone plates and screws. Wound care instructions should be followed to reduce complications from swelling and infections. While some injuries require hospital treatment, less serious injuries can be treated in the office. Facial surgery can effectively restore the patient's facial aesthetics and jaw function.

Snoring can be a warning sign of a medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. Heavy snoring is most common in males and overweight persons, and generally worsens with age. Snoring is caused by a partial obstruction of the airway in the back of the patient's throat and nose. The characteristic rattling sound is the vibration of the soft palate and uvula or other structures in the upper airway.

Sleep apnea can be aggravated by blocked nasal air passages from a cold, allergies, or weak muscle tone in the soft palate. The condition may be further irritated by a large uvula; hypothyroidism; nasal polyps, cysts, or a deviated septum; excessive body weight; enlarged tonsils and adenoids; or consumption of alcohol, drugs, or by smoking.

Surgeons experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can help you assess the severity of your condition. The solution may be found in managing a nasal allergy or infection, wearing a facial device or mouthguard, or reshaping the soft palate with laser treatment. Surgery is performed in the doctor's office using laser technology to reshape the soft palate and open the airway so you can breathe better during sleep.

The inside of your mouth is lined with a thin layer of skin called mucosa. The mucosa is smooth and coral pink in color. Alterations in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process, and if you notice its appearance in your mouth, you should schedule a visit with your dentist. The most serious of these conditions is oral cancer.

The following can be indications at the beginning of a pathological process or cancerous growth: reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth; a sore that bleeds easily or doesn't heal; a lump on the inside of the mouth; chronic sore throat or hoarseness; or difficulty in chewing or swallowing. These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, gums, tongue, face, and/or neck.

Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Pain does not always indicate a pathology and is not often associated with oral cancer. Patients with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer. A monthly self- examination of the oral tissues and an examination by your dentist can help detect early stages of an oral pathology.

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