oral Surgery

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that typically emerge in your late teens or early twenties. While some people have enough room for their wisdom teeth to come in naturally, others experience problems when these teeth are impacted—meaning they come in at an angle or only partially emerge through the gums.

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Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to pain, damage to surrounding teeth or jaw, and can also trap bacteria, making them harder to clean. This increases the risk of infection and other dental issues. Routine x-rays during your dental exams can help determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed to avoid these potential problems.

When a tooth can't be saved with treatments like root canals or fillings, extraction may be necessary. Thanks to modern anesthetics, tooth extractions are now quick and relatively painless, with little to no discomfort and minimal bleeding.

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Before the procedure, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic. After extraction, antibiotics may be prescribed, and patients should avoid smoking, vigorous brushing, or drinking through straws to prevent infection. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek can help reduce swelling and speed up healing.

When a tooth is removed, it's important to consider how to address the empty space left behind. While wisdom teeth typically heal on their own, other extractions require planning. If nothing is done, the jawbone can shrink, causing your teeth to shift, which may affect your bite and make speaking or chewing more difficult.

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If you're planning for a dental implant, a healthy jawbone is essential. For a dental bridge, it’s important to have it placed before your teeth shift.

Before extraction, talk to your dentist about your options for filling the space. They’ll help you create a treatment plan and make recommendations based on your needs. Be sure to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and care for your extraction site.

Bone grafting is a procedure used to rebuild the jawbone, making it strong enough to support a dental implant or other restorative devices. This common treatment is often needed when the jawbone has been weakened or is insufficient for an implant. The bone used for grafting can be taken from your own mouth or, in some cases, from safe, donated cadaver bone. The graft helps ensure a stable foundation for implants and other periodontal treatments, giving you a healthier, more functional smile.

At our practice, we utilize advanced treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) to enhance healing and improve recovery after oral surgeries. PRP uses your own blood, specifically platelets, plasma, and white blood cells, to accelerate tissue regeneration and promote faster healing. The process is quick and minimally invasive, ensuring the best possible results, especially for patients who may have experienced complications in the past. By incorporating PRP, we help ensure a smoother, more successful recovery.

Orthognathic surgery, often performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the help of an orthodontist, is a procedure designed to correct jaw misalignment. This surgery involves cutting and repositioning the jaw bones (mandible or maxilla) to ensure proper alignment, which supports the success of orthodontic treatment. The procedure is done under general anesthesia, and the jaw is usually wired together after surgery to aid healing. Incisions are typically made inside the mouth, leaving no visible scarring.

If you've experienced facial trauma, such as from a car accident, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specially trained to repair the damage. This may include treating facial lacerations, knocked-out teeth, or fractures to the cheek, jaw, nose, or eye socket. Surgery can be performed at a hospital or outpatient center. These surgeons not only focus on restoring function but also on the long-term appearance and emotional well-being of the patient, taking into account any lasting effects from the injury.

Oral Pathology is the specialty that identifies and treats diseases of the mouth and maxillofacial region. Diagnosis is completed through radiographic, microscopic, biochemical and other in office examinations. Oral pathologists provide biopsy services for dentists and offer clinical their diagnosis based on their findings. Some of the diseases that Oral pathologists diagnose include mouth and throat cancer, mumps, salivary gland disorders, ulcers, Odontogenic Infection, and others.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, oral surgery can help by removing excess tissue that blocks your airways. One option is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which removes extra tissue from the throat and soft palate to improve airflow. Another option is Maxillomandibular advancement, which moves the upper and lower jaw forward to create more space behind the soft palate. This reduces obstruction and improves breathing. In severe cases, a Tracheostomy may be considered, where a tube is inserted in your throat to help you breathe at night. These procedures are safe, routine, and effective in treating sleep apnea for long-term relief.

A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that involves the removal or modification of the frenulum, a small fold of tissue that connects the lips, tongue, or gums to the surrounding structures. This procedure is often performed to treat issues such as a tight or restrictive frenulum, which can affect speech, eating, or cause dental problems like misalignment of teeth. In infants, it can help with breastfeeding difficulties due to a tongue-tie. A frenectomy is typically quick, minimally invasive, and can be done with a scalpel or laser, causing little discomfort and promoting fast healing.