Oral & Maxillofacial Procedures

Dental implants are small titanium rods that your doctor will insert into the root of your missing tooth.

Over time, the implant will fuse to the jawbone and create a strong and permanent foundation for a replacement tooth. Healing times vary from patient to patient. Patients with substantial bone loss may experience a longer healing period.

In cases of multiple dental implants, we offer several teeth replacement options, including dental implant bridges or implant overdentures which hold dentures securely in place.

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that transplants bone tissue into an area where there are missing teeth. Over time, this healthy bone tissue recreates and rebuilds new bone and supports the surrounding tissue. Other types of bone grafting promote the fusion of surrounding bone tissue.

Bone grafting may be necessary in cases of long-term missing teeth, severe gum disease, or facial trauma. This procedure may also be necessary if developmental defects cause degradation of natural bone in the mouth.

There are a variety of procedures our oral surgeons perform to support bone grafting. These include:

• Ridge Preservation
• Ridge Augmentation
• Sinus Lift
• Nerve Repositioning

Administration of bone grafting and corresponding procedures vary on an individual basis. Your oral surgeon will help you determine the best type of bone graft and any other necessary procedure.

Third molars, otherwise known as wisdom teeth, are often the last set of teeth to develop. Most people’s jaws are too small to accommodate these new molars. Without adequate room to grow, these molars can become impacted as they erupt and grow against the adjacent molars.

As they grow against the adjacent second set of molars, impacted wisdom teeth can cause severe pain and discomfort. Over time, they can lead to teeth crowding and long-term damage to the teeth, gums, and jawbone. If not removed, impacted wisdom teeth can frequently cause infections and cysts.

At the beginning of the tooth extraction process, the dentist will numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums in the area with a local anesthetic. If you have elected to undergo the procedure with IV sedation/anesthesia, you will be asleep prior to receiving the numbing injections.

During the extraction process, the tooth is firmly rocked in order to widen the socket for removal. While you will not feel pain during the procedure, you will feel pressure — the nerves that transmit pain are numbed, while the nerves that transmit pressure are not as affected.

If you feel pain at any point during the procedure, please let us know right away.

Oral Pathology refers to the development of an abnormal disease or condition in the jaw, mouth, or related structures in your body. Signs of an oral pathology include:

• Mouth sores that persist for more than two weeks
• Reddish or whitish patches in the mouth
• Thickening or a lump on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
• Persistent difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Persistent hoarseness or sore throat

It is important to regularly inspect your mouth, lips, cheeks, gums, and palate for any changes. Pain does not always occur with pathology, which makes visual exams all the more important. If you have noticed suspicious lumps or sores in your mouth, please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an evaluation.

Since a denture sits on the bone ridge, it is very important that the supporting bone is the right shape and size. To prepare your mouth for a denture, one or more of the following procedures may need to be performed:

• Removing excess bone
• Bone smoothing & reshaping
• Bone ridge reduction
• Excess gum tissue removal
• Exposure of impacted teeth

We will review your particular needs during your appointment.

Jaw surgery benefits those who have misaligned jaws or bites, whether due to birth defects, abnormal development, or injuries. Jaw surgery can:

• Correct improper bites.
• Improve chewing, biting, speaking, and/or swallowing.
• Relieve chronic pain and/or breathing problems.
• Reduce wear and tear on teeth.
• Improve facial symmetry.

Jaw surgery may not always be necessary in some cases, so it’s important to consult with an oral surgeon to explore your options and determine the best course of action. 

We treat the following types of facial injuries at area hospitals:

• Facial lacerations
• Intraoral lacerations
• Fractured jaws
• Fractured cheekbones/nose/eye socket

These injuries can result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, work-related injuries, interpersonal violence, or sports.