FAQ's

Why should I go to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for tooth extraction?
Many general dentists perform tooth extractions; however, we believe that many patients prefer the comfort and confidence of having these surgical procedures performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. There are many possible outcomes associated with surgical procedures. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive extensive training in anesthesia and pain control, and our clinical offices are equipped as outpatient surgical centers. Patients who prefer to be asleep or sedated for their extractions will be most comfortable under the care of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Why should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth.  When they align properly, and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed.  Unfortunately, this does not generally happen.  The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth.  They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.  Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned teeth can cause many problems.  When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection.  The result is swelling, stiffness, pain and illness.  The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth.  The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jaw bone and healthy teeth.  Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems.  Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Who Needs Orthognathic Surgery?
People who can benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite or jaws that are positioned incorrectly.  Jaw growth is a gradual process and, in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates.  The result can be a host of problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance.  Injury to the jaw and birth defects can also affect jaw alignment.  While orthodontics alone can correct many bite problems if only the teeth are involved, orthognathic surgery may be required if the jaws also need repositioning.

What is a cleft lip?
Cleft means split of separation of parts.  During early pregnancy, separate areas of the face develop individual and then join together.  If some parts do not join properly, the result is a cleft.  The type and severity of clefts vary from child to child.

A completely formed lip is important not only for normal facial appearance but also for sucking and to form certain sounds made during speech.  A cleft lip is a condition that creates an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose.  It looks as though there is a split in the lip.  It can range from a slight notch in the colored portion of the lip to complete separation in one or both sides of the lip extending up and into the nose.  A cleft on one side is called a unilateral cleft.  If a cleft occurs on both sides it is called a bilateral cleft.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?
If you were told in the past that implants could not be used to replace certain teeth, you may be surprised to find that today’s implant technology can be used on almost every patient to replace almost any tooth. Dental implants are surgically implanted artificial roots that integrate with the bone to form a stable foundation for restoring missing teeth. A brief consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will help determine whether implants are a good solution for your tooth replacement and restoration needs.