Teeth Extractions
Wisdom Teeth (Third Molars)
Teeth grow in as we grow up. Our mouth, by and large, is only able to hold 28 teeth. However, by the time we are between the ages of 18-20, we are expected to have 32 teeth inside of our mouths! These 4 extra teeth that come into play at this age are called the third molars, but most people refer to them as “Wisdom Teeth”. Very few people are able to keep these extra teeth after our teens because most of the time, they do not grow in the way the rest of our teeth do. Most of the time, these teeth will grow in at an angle that is not supported by the jaw, bone, and gum tissue causing stress and pain to the rest of the mouth. Other times, these “Wisdom Teeth” will stay completely under the surface of your gums, which consequently, is not where teeth are able to reside.

These poorly positioned wisdom teeth can result in further complications:

· Tooth decay
· Periodontal disease
· Adjacent tooth loss
· Tooth crowding
· Cysts or benign growths within the jaws

If you have concerns regarding your wisdom teeth, an accurate diagnosis of the growth and development inside your mouth can be provided to you. The longer you wait to remove these impacted teeth once they begin to grow angularly, the more likely you are to experience additional pain and a complicated healing process.

Dental Implants
Dental Implants have been made available to patients that are looking for a permanent artificial tooth replacement solution that will open new doors for them. Patients that desire the ability to eat and smile like they once did before have selected dental implants as a new sense of confidence for a lifetime of dental success.

Implants from our office can replace teeth, support an existing bridge, or even support your existing dentures for a new feeling of satisfaction. In addition to that, these implants do not rely on your neighboring teeth for support.

In order for these dental implants to work the way they are planned to work, the gum tissue and bone must be able to hold the tiny titanium posts that are used to secure the foundation for the artificial teeth. Bone grafting is a technology that is used to achieve this goal by growing the bone where it is needed.

If you have any questions or interests in this option for a new look and feel inside your mouth, please contact our office.

Bone Grafting
When a patient is missing a tooth or teeth, the jawbone around that area will reduce in size. When this occurs, the area that the tooth or teeth used to be no longer supports a tooth the way it once did. In circumstances like this, patients typically are not candidates for dental implants without increasing the amount of bone in that area.

Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons now have the capability of growing bone in areas such as these so that it may be, once again, suitable for dental implants. This gives the patient the ability to restore their natural look and feel inside their mouth without having serious complications down the road. A longer lasting permanent artificial tooth solution has been made further available by bone grafting.

There are many surgical options for obtaining and placing bone grafts. In some situations, bone may need to be harvested from the patient’s own bone. However, there are now many situations in which synthetic bone can be used. Depending on the situation, surgery may be performed in the office or hospital. Regardless of where the surgery is performed, it is often a day surgery procedure.

Oral Pathology
The evaluation and diagnosis of growths and lesions within the mouth and jaws is an important aspect of the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Patients referred for evaluation undergo a thorough examination of their head and neck areas.

Not all growths within the mouth are oral cancer. However, the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer is important to the increased survival and prognosis of the patient. Biopsies and/or other tests are performed, when required, to arrive at a diagnosis and to allow the development of an appropriate treatment plan.

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Anesthesia
For your surgical procedure, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia is used to provide a comfortable and safe surgical experience. As a result, the anxiety and fear of undergoing surgery is removed.

Your safety is the number one concern in our office. We use the most modern equipment and monitoring systems in our office to ensure your well-being. As a result, your procedure can be performed in a safe and cost-effective manner in our office surgical suite.

Pillar Procedure (Snoring)
The Pillar Procedure is an effective state of the art, first line palatal treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and socially disruptive snoring. The procedure requires one visit to the physician’s office. After numbing the area with local anesthetic, the physician embeds three tiny inserts in your soft palate using a specially designed delivery system. Because tissue is not removed or damaged, discomfort is minimal.

The inserts are designed to be permanent and provide a long lasting effect. Once in place the inserts causes a natural tissue response, which secures them within the palate. Clinical studies show that patient and sleep partner satisfaction with the procedure remain high after one year. Most patients report a noticeable and lasting reduction in snoring. Some patients see improvement within 1 to 2 weeks.

For more information visit the Pillar website at www.pillarimplant.com.