Oral Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery, which is most commonly referred to as oral surgery, focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of various injuries, diseases, and defects that affect your face, mouth, teeth, and jaw. Oral surgery is the only dental specialty that requires an additional four years of surgical and anesthesia training in a hospital-based environment in addition to a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree.
Common Oral Surgery Procedures
Our board-certified, oral surgeons offer a full array of oral and maxillofacial services, ranging from sleep apnea treatment to bone graft surgery. We can also diagnose and treat facial pain and facial injuries. The oral procedures we provide, include:
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop. They often become impacted, resulting in swelling and pain. The gum tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth may also become infected. Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause permanent damage to nearby teeth, gums and jaw bone. In most cases, oral surgery is recommended to remove the impacted teeth.
Dental Implants
If you have damaged or missing teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants. This type of dental treatment requires the placement of tooth root substitutes by an oral surgeon. The root substitutes are surgically anchored to the jaw and provide stabilization for the artificial tooth (dental implant). To learn more about this procedure, please visit our Implants page.
Sinus Lift Surgery
The key to dental implant surgery success is the quality and quantity of bone available for implant placement. The upper back jaw can sometimes present problems due to insufficient bone and the close proximity to the sinus. A sinus lift surgery, however, may help correct this issue by raising the sinus floor and developing bone to allow for successful placement of dental implants. This is done by making an incision to expose the bone, then cutting a small circle into the bone. The bone fragment is lifted into the sinus cavity and the space below it is filled with bone graft material. The incision is closed and the bone is allowed to develop for anywhere from four to twelve months before the implants are placed.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes frequent interruptions in your breathing while you are asleep. When you stop breathing, your body and brain are deprived of oxygen. This puts you at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure, as well as other conditions. If other treatments have not corrected your sleep apnea and/or snoring, oral surgery may provide relief.
Vivos
Is sleep apnea making it difficult for you to get any useful rest? Vivos might be the right solution! As a licensed Vivos provider, we can utilize this revolutionary procedure to treat your sleep apnea and get you sleeping right in no time.
Vivos is a non-invasive procedure used to treat an obstruction in the airway, one of the leading causes of sleep apnea. The treatment begins with a consultation with the dentist to see if you are a candidate for Vivos. The dentist will perform tests and record specific measurements to tailor Vivos to you. You will then wear Vivos at night while you sleep to help keep your airway open and minimize the effects of sleep apnea. Routine meetings with your dentist are common during a Vivos treatment to track progress and make any necessary adjustments.
You will be surprised to find that all along the key to a good night’s sleep was just an appointment away.
TMJ Treatment
Temporomandibular joint disorders, also known as TMJ, are often the source of facial pain and headaches. TMJ is a small joint at the base of the skull in front of the ear that connects the lower and upper jaw. Just like any other joint in your body, it can become sore, swollen or broken. In some cases, TMJ pain may be caused by grinding or clenching your teeth. In instances where night guards and medication do not reduce TMJ pain, oral surgery may be a consideration.
Bone Grafts
A bone graft is typically used to help maximize the outcome of dental implants. It may also be used to help improve the fit of dentures. During a bone graft procedure, the oral surgeon will take a section of bone from another area of your body and graft it onto your jaw bone. This helps stimulate new bone growth, making your jaw stronger and more suitable for implants or denture adjustments.
Ridge Augmentation
Following a tooth extraction, dentists may perform a procedure known as ridge augmentation, which helps recreate the natural contour of your gums and jaw. This is done by placing bone graft material in the empty socket created by the extraction. Next, the gum is placed over the socket and secured with sutures. Although it is not medically necessary, ridge augmentation is required to rebuild the height and width of your alveolar ridge prior to dental implant surgery.
Cosmetic Crown Lengthening
Do your teeth appear to be too short or you have a “gummy” smile? Cosmetic crown lengthening can help improve your appearance by reshaping your excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural tooth. Crown lengthening may also be recommended to help restore decayed or broken teeth below the gum line, especially if a crown or bridge is needed.
Our surgical team has the knowledge, skill and expertise to handle a wide array of facial injuries and oral conditions. If you are in pain, or unhappy with your appearance, we can help. Please contact our office and request a consultation today.
Dentures
When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them, or allow them fall out, it’s time for dentures. There are different types of dentures, such as implant dentures and conventional dentures, but they all share a common goal – replacing your natural teeth, recreating your smile, and allowing you to eat regular foods.
Conventional Dentures (Full & Partial)
Our denture process begins by examining the entire mouth. We need to assess the health of your teeth and jaw, and to determine which teeth, if any, can remain. Partial dentures can be created if there are natural teeth that are healthy and strong enough to remain in the mouth. Complete dentures are made when all teeth need to be extracted. Following the extraction of the loose or unhealthy teeth, there is an adjustment period. Your gums will need to heal and you will need time to adjust to your dentures. Once accustomed to the dentures, however, you’ll enjoy full functionality and an improved appearance.
Implant Retained Dentures
If you are a candidate for dentures, you may want to consider Implant Retained Dentures. Unlike conventional dentures, implant retained dentures won’t slip, they function just like natural teeth and are more comfortable to wear. No messy adhesives are needed, and you won’t experience any of the typical mouth irritations, such as mouth sores, that often plague those with traditional dentures. Another added benefit is improved taste. Implant Retained Dentures don’t cover the roof of your mouth, so you’ll be able to enjoy all the flavors of your foods again! Maintenance is easy, since you can remove them for cleaning.
The process includes the removal of any remaining teeth and the use of temporary (transitional) set of dentures while your mouth heals. The next step, is placement of your implants (up to four per jaw) in areas where you have the highest bone density, which is typically the front of your mouth. While you are healing from the implant procedure, your dentures are fabricated. The final visit is placement of the abutments and your dentures.
Hybrid Implant Dentures
Hybrid Implant Dentures share the same advantages as Implant Retained Dentures, with one significant difference – they are permanent. Your dentures can only be removed by your dentist. The process is also very similar, but you typically have more implants placed. This may require additional procedures, such as bone grafts, to ensure your jaw is stable enough to support the implants. If you’re looking for the next-best-thing to full implants, Hybrid Retained Dentures are the solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Service
What’s the difference between a dentist and an oral surgeon?
A Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) is a general dentist who can diagnose and treat most basic dental issues. An oral surgeon, however, has extensive knowledge and training in complex dental issues. Oral surgeons must complete a hospital-based residency program and undergo training in the administration of anesthesia, including intravenous (IV) sedation, nitrous oxide, and general anesthesia.
Why are they called wisdom teeth?
It is generally thought that these teeth earned their name because they erupt when we are much older and “wiser” than when our other teeth first erupted. Between the age of 17 and 25 is when most wisdom teeth make their appearance.
Is wisdom tooth surgery painful?
During wisdom tooth surgery, you will receive a numbing agent to reduce any pain or discomfort you might experience. In some cases, your oral surgeon may also offer sedation to make the procedure less stressful. After the surgery, you may experience some discomfort and jaw stiffness for about two weeks. This is typically managed with a prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.
What is dry socket?
After your wisdom teeth are extracted, you may experience a complication called dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis. This occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the socket after a tooth is removed, or the blood clot is dislodged. The bone and nerve are exposed to air, food and fluids, causing pain and putting you at risk of infection.
My husband snores. Can you help?
Maybe. In some instances, people who snore have a disorder known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes frequent interruptions in your breathing while you sleep, putting you at risk for stroke, heart failure and other health issues. An oral surgeon may be able to provide relief for both the person who snores, as well as anyone in close proximity.
What is TMJ?
TMJ, also known as temporomandibular joint disorders, can cause headaches and other facial pain. It’s basically a small joint that connects the lower and upper jaw near the base of the skull in front of your ears. If night guards and medication do not reduce your pain, oral surgery may be recommended.
Are bone grafts necessary before dental implant surgery?
In some cases, bone graft surgery may be required, if you have significant bone loss due to injury or other dental issues. An oral surgeon will use bone grafts to stimulate new bone growth and strengthen your jaw prior to implant surgery or placement of your dentures.
What our patients say
