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Dental Implants
These are devices which secure replacement teeth to the bone and gum. In addition to stabilizing loose teeth or problem dentures, implants are often required for bridgework after teeth have been removed. By strengthening the natural bond between the teeth and oral tissues, dental implants can eliminate the physical discomfort associated with the loss of teeth.
Jaw Reconstruction
Jaws that fail to grow properly can cause functional, as well as psychological difficulties. Unequal jaw growth in children can produce facial irregularity, an improper bite, and/or awkward tongue and lip movement. In turn, these may interfere with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing. Emotionally, a child may feel self-conscious and depressed from having a "funny looking" jaw. Some symptoms of a "problem" jaw include chronic jaw pain and clicking of the jaw joint during speech or eating.
Oftentimes, jaw imbalances can be corrected orthodontically by repositioning misplaced teeth. More severe structural irregularities may require reconstructive surgery to move all or part of the upper of lower jaw to its proper position.
Cosmetic Surgery
Most corrective surgery is done to correct functional problems, but cosmetic surgery can be done too, and, at the same time! The doctor will be happy to discuss the coordination of functional and cosmetic treatments.
Jaw Joint Surgery
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, is located in front of the ear where the lower jawbone hinges with the base of the skull. As one of the body's most complex joints, the TMJ is often affected by bad bites, jaw injuries, arthritic or dislocated cartilage within the joint, or teeth grinding during sleep creating painful spasms in the jaw muscles. Some common signs of a TMJ disorder include:
- Chronic facial pain, or pain in front of the ear, in the neck, temples or joint itself
- Recurring earaches or headaches
- Limited ability or open mouth without pain
- Clicking, popping or grinding of the joint
Treatments for TMJ disorders range from short-term medication for pain and muscle relaxation to more complex surgical repair of the surrounding bone or cartilage.
Arthroscopy
This new technique enables the surgeon to correct many painful disorders of the TMJ as a quite convenient, outpatient procedure which does not generally require the involved rehabilitation of open joint surgery.
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
If you are constantly troubled by loose dentures, you may be suffering from a loss of or change in the supporting gum tissue and bone. Often the dentures need only be relined to restore a proper fit and healthy tissues. In cases of more severe bone deterioration, the affected teeth and/or surrounding soft or hard tissue may be reconstructed ("built up") to prevent further loss.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries include cuts, bruises, lacerations, abrasions and fractures, and can result in damaged or lost teeth. The signs of severe injuries tend to show up in the two moving areas of the face-the eyes and the mouth. Typical indications of a jaw, cheekbone or eye socket fracturing are:
- Ill-fitting teeth or clicking jaw joint
- Eyes that don't move together
- Impaired or double vision
- An inability to open the mouth (due to the jaw catching on the fractured bone
- Difficulty in breathing, eating or speaking
- Swelling over the injured area
Despite a high success rate for treating facial injuries, there is no substitute for prevention. Many sports and accident-related injuries could have been avoided if a seat belt, mouth guard, face mask, helmet or other safety device had been worn.
Cleft Lip and Palate Correction
Initially, repairs of cleft soft tissues (the lip and palate) are performed during childhood. Reconstruction of the hard tissue (upper jawbone) normally takes place in the adolescent or adult years. During this second phase of treatment, we graft bone or artificial materials to close the cleft bone and move the upper jaw so the teeth fit properly together. Nasal correction can be done alone or along with some of the lip, jaw and palate procedures.
Tooth Removal
Persistent pain in the jaw, gum or early redness or swelling in the back of the mouth; or a discharge, abscess or foul taste indicate an impacted or infected tooth. Tooth extractions can be accompanied by premedication and/or anesthetic to reduce normal anxiety and eliminate pain.
Cyst and Tumor Removal
Being alert to the physical warning signs of a developing cyst or tumor is critical to its timely diagnosis and treatment. Most oral tumors are benign and easily removed. Nevertheless, we urge you to seek prompt, professional attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Mouth sore, lump or other suspicious growth that has not healed in two weeks
- Discharge or pus or other fluid
- White or red patches inside the mouth
- Swelling that last longer than one week
- Change in taste or eating habits
The doctor often performs a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine a specific treatment plan. During the biopsy, a small tissue sample is removed from the affected area for further testing. The doctor will discuss the results of the biopsy with you and plan further treatment if necessary.
Your Consultation Visit
Emergency treatment is performed immediately as necessary. Treatment for non-emergency surgical cases is administered after a pre-surgical examination. During the consultation, the doctor reviews your past and current health profile to verify the diagnosis and ensure you are a candidate for the surgery. In addition, a decision is made on whether the surgery should be performed in the office or hospital. The type of anesthetic to be used is also determined: local ("novocaine"), intravenous sedation ("twilight sleep"), or general ("asleep").
The doctor may suggest taking X-rays or conducting a more comprehensive examination (particularly for facial pain and jaw joint problems) to determine the proper treatment. Fees for these services and "second opinion" examinations can be quoted over the telephone.
Your Time to Learn and Decide
Equally important, the consultation visit is a time for you to become acquainted with the doctor, to ask questions and learn more about the recommended treatment. We believe that a person who knows what to expect during surgery does better withsurgery. If yours is a purely elective procedure, the consultation visit gives you the opportunity to think things over and decide if you want to proceed.
Before your scheduled appointment, the doctor provides detailed instructions to follow at home before and after surgery, including dietary information. It is your responsibility to follow these instructions. If you do, the chances are excellent for a smooth recovery.
Fees and Payment Policies
Another primary objective of the consultation visit is to openly discuss the fee for the treatment. We cannot do this fairly and accurately over the telephone without first examining you. Our responsibility is to provide the quality care you expect. In the same vein, we expect you to meet your financial responsibility by paying for the treatment received. Our policy is payment for service at the time it is rendered, unless other arrangements have been made in advance. A specific payment plan, mutually agreed upon by you and the doctor, can be established prior to scheduling any treatment.
Infection Control
In order to protect you as well as ourselves, our office uses state of the art infection control procedures. We meet or exceed all OSHA, ADA, CDC guidelines.
We routinely utilize "Universal Precautions" and "Barrier Techniques."
"Universal Precaution" is the practice of using the same infection control techniques for all patients and members of the surgical team. "Barrier Technique" means the surgical team will wear gloves, masks and protective eye shields when performing surgical procedures. This creates a barrier to prevent contact with blood or body fluids and thus prevent transmission of contaminants from one person to another.
Standard infection control procedures include steam sterilization of all surgical instruments as well as drills following each procedure. All potential contaminated room surfaces and equipment are disinfected as well. All injectables are disposable and never reused.
All contaminated materials are specially packaged and disposed of following OSHA guidelines and State Regulations.
If you have any questions about our infection control practices, ask us. We will be happy to discuss them with you.
A Word About Rx Refills.
We ask that you keep an eye on your prescriptions.
In keeping with the State Dental Board regulations it is in your best interest that medication refills be called in during office hours.
Please check your prescriptions before the weekend. If a refill is anticipated please call during regular office hours.
Without your record, the doctor on call will not be familiar with the particulars of your care.
Prescription refills cannot be called in after office hours.
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