Conditions and Treatments

Dental Implants
Dental Implants are a great option for patients missing natural teeth because they act as a secure anchor for artificial replacement teeth and eliminate the instability associated with surface adhesives and removable bridges.

Your natural teeth absorb biting pressure of up to 540 lbs. per square inch. Long-time denture-wearers can often absorb no more than 50 lbs. per square inch. Dental implants, when properly placed, can withstand 450 lbs. per square inch of biting pressure.

Dental implants are made of materials that are compatible with human bone and tissue. The implants are surgically placed directly into or on top of the jawbone. Small posts are then attached to the implants, which protrude through the gums. These posts provide a stable anchor for artificial replacement teeth.

Wisdom Teeth
Third molars (also called wisdom teeth) usually start to come in when people reach their late teens or early twenties. In many cases, the jaws are not large enough to accommodate these teeth and they remain impacted (hidden) under the gums.

Serious problems can arise if not treated, such as infection or possibly crowding of and damage to the surrounding teeth. If not removed in a timely manner, more serious problems can arise. The sac that surrounds the impacted tooth can fill up with fluid and enlarge to form a cyst. This causes an enlargement that can hollow out the jaw and result in permanent damage to the surrounding teeth, jawbones and nerves. If this is then left untreated, a tumor can develop from the walls of the cyst, which can lead to more painful and complicated surgeries.

Your oral/maxillofacial surgeon can easily remove these teeth if found early enough. With no more than a little bit of swelling and discomfort to the patient.

Temporomandibular Joint Problem (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located at the front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw bone meet. This joint is responsible for the function and movement of the lower jaw.

TMJ disorders have a wide range of symptoms. Sufferers may have earaches, headaches and may not have full ability to open the mouth. They may also hear clicking or grating sounds in the joint and experience pain when opening and closing the mouth.

There are various reasons for TMJ symptoms. Seeing an oral/maxillofacial surgeon is the first step in taking care of TMJ. They are properly trained to correctly diagnose the problem and the cause of it. Then, depending upon the cause for TMJ, you can be referred to the proper doctor or physical therapist to help relieve the problem. Determining the cause of TMJ disorders can be complex, and therefore may require different diagnostic procedures.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea
If your throat formations are too large or the muscles relax too much during sleep; the air passage may be partially blocked. As air from the nose or mouth passes around this obstacle, the throat formations vibrate and rattle against each other, causing a snoring sound. At times, this sound can be so loud that snorers wake up others, or even themselves, during the night. Snoring gets worse as more and more of the air passage is blocked. But you may not know that snoring can also disrupt your own sleep and may even be a sign of a serious condition called sleep apnea.

If the formations completely block the throat, air can't flow to the lungs at all. This is called apnea (which means "no breathing"). Since the lungs aren't receiving any fresh air, the brain tells the body to wake up enough to tighten the muscles and unblock the air passage. With a loud gasp, breathing begins again. This process may be repeated over and over again throughout the night, making your sleep fragmented and light. Even though you don't remember waking up so many times during the night, you can feel tired all day. The lack of sleep and fresh air can also strain your lungs, heart, and other organs, leading to problems such as high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

In some cases, the snoring can be treated best with a new laser surgery known as Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). The surgery is performed at the doctor's office using a laser that reshapes the soft palate and opens the airway so that the sufferer can breathe better during sleep.

Lip & Mouth Cancer
Researchers have found a number of factors that may contribute to the development of mouth & lip cancers. The most common is the frequent use of alcohol and tobaccos. Others include poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, poor nutrition and combinations of these factors.

Keep in mind that your mouth is one of the body's most important early warning systems. If you find any suspicious lumps or sores, contact us and make an appointment immediately. Early treatment may well be the key to complete and total recovery.