Oral and maxillofacial surgery is recognized by dental professionals worldwide as one of the nine specialties in dentistry.  Practitioners of this type of dentistry are commonly referred to as oral surgeons, and they focus on the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, injuries, and issues related to the face, head, neck, mouth, jaw, teeth, and hard and soft tissues of the mouth.  A maxillofacial (oral) surgeon is initially trained in dentistry, and then undergoes continuing education and training in this specialty.

Patients who suffer from functional dental concerns, oral disease, and traumatic injuries are often referred to a maxillofacial surgeon by their general dentist.  Oral surgeons also work closely with restorative dentists in the preparation of the jaw for dental implants, by surgically inserting the metal screws into the jaw that will act as artificial tooth roots.  In many cases, maxillofacial surgeons also work closely with cosmetic dentists or with plastic surgeons to ensure an esthetically-pleasing result.

Here are some of the most common functions and skills of a maxillofacial (oral) surgeon:

• Diagnosis and treatment of benign or malignant cysts and tumors of the jaw, face, head, and neck.
• Diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer.
• Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorders).
• Reconstructive surgery of the jaw.
• Surgical treatment of sleep apnea.
• Surgery to insert the titanium tooth roots that support dental implants.
• Removal of diseased or impacted teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• Treating facial trauma.
• Cosmetic procedures such as cheek implants, ear surgery, eyelid lifts, facelifts, rhinoplasty (cosmetic nose surgery).
• Treatment of severe gum (periodontal) disease.
• Treatment of cleft lip and palate procedures.
• Wisdom tooth extraction.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically begin to develop at age 10 and may surface through a person’s twenties.  Commonly, a wisdom tooth may fail to emerge fully into position.  When this happens, the wisdom tooth is said to be impacted.  Roughly seventy percent of adults will experience at least one impacted wisdom tooth during their lifetime.

A wisdom tooth may become impacted for a number of reasons.  The primary reason is that there is simply not enough room in a person’s jaw to accommodate another molar.  In some cases, a wisdom tooth is obstructed from fully emerging by other teeth, or because the wisdom tooth comes in at an angle.  In all of these cases, the wisdom tooth must be removed.

There are a number of reasons to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed.  The impacted tooth may cause surrounding teeth to shift position, may cause an interruption in sinus function, or it may just cause jaw pain.  In many cases, an impacted or un-emerged wisdom tooth may be positioned in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to thoroughly clean, which could lead to decay, infections, and cavities.

Removal of impacted or un-erupted wisdom teeth is often more complex than a regular tooth extraction; in fact, it usually requires a surgical procedure for which most patients prefer to be sedated or under general anesthesia.  While some general dentists have the advanced training necessary to perform an impacted wisdom tooth extraction, in most cases the patient will need to visit an oral surgeon.

Fluorosis is a dental health condition that is most commonly the result of too much fluoride during tooth development in children, especially between the ages of one and four years old.  Fluorosis is usually mild, and causes the appearance of tiny white marks on the surface of the teeth.  More advanced fluorosis causes black or brown stains and mottling of the enamel, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth.

The severity of fluorosis is directly related to the amount of fluoride exposure a child experiences, and can also be affected by the age of the child and that child’s nutrition.  In some cases, fluorosis can be linked to fluoride in the water supply.  In fact, dental associations have recently recommended that parents of infants up to 12 months old should prepare formula with fluoride-free water to reduce the risk of fluorosis when teeth erupt into the oral cavity.

In addition to preventive fluoride treatments performed at the dentist’s office, children are susceptible to too much fluoride exposure if drinking water is over-fluoridated or if they ingest too much toothpaste or fluoride mouthwash.  For this reason, it is very important to monitor small children when they brush their teeth.

While severe flourosis can cause tooth damage and even tooth loss, minor cases of fluorosis are merely cosmetic nuisances.  Most cases can be treated with such common methods as tooth whitening, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers.

Extractions and Wisdom Tooth Removal

When a tooth is damaged to the extent that a filling, crown, or other treatment is not enough to fix it, that tooth may need to be removed, or extracted.  In most cases, a general dentist can perform simple tooth extractions with a local anesthetic, while an oral (maxillofacial) surgeon performs more complex extractions, such as wisdom tooth removal.  Here are some of the most common reasons a tooth may need to be extracted:

• To remove extra teeth that block other teeth from emerging.
• To remove extra teeth that cause a crooked smile or bite or to create room for teeth that will be shifted by orthodontic treatment.
• To remove a tooth that is deeply infected.  Infected teeth can cause the immune system to weaken, so some cancer or organ donation patients may need to have infected teeth removed.
• To remove wisdom teeth which have become impacted.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth removal is an extraction procedure commonly performed by an oral (maxillofacial) surgeon.  Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that emerge, typically during adolescence or a person’s early twenties.  In many cases, wisdom teeth may fail to emerge fully and are said to be impacted.  When this happens, most dentists or oral surgeons recommend wisdom tooth extraction. Some of the most common issues brought on by wisdom tooth impaction include:

• The impacted tooth causes other teeth to shift position
• Possible sinus function issues and congestion
• Jaw pain
• Infection
• Bone loss
• Gum irritation

Wisdom tooth extraction is more complex than the extraction procedures for other teeth, and patients are frequently put under sedation for his procedure.

Dry mouth syndrome, known officially as xerostomia, is a result of decreased saliva in the mouth and can be a chronic or temporary problem.  Most people experience some degree of dry mouth at some point in their lives, though this condition is most commonly found in adults.

Symptoms of dry mouth can include a dry feeling in the mouth or throat, sore throat, bad breath, cracked or split lips, and an altered sense of taste.  If these or other dry mouth symptoms are regularly experienced, it is wise to consult a dentist for an examination, as dry mouth or decreased saliva production can lead to dental infections, increased plaque, and dental cavities.

There are a number of medical and environmental factors that can cause dry mouth.  Certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics, and some antidepressants all list dry mouth or xerostomia as a possible side effect.  Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation also affect the salivary glands and can lead to dry mouth.  Medical conditions including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and autoimmune diseases can also cause dry mouth.

Treatments for dry mouth may be as simple as sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum.  Other treatments designed to restore moisture to the mouth include artificial saliva, special oral rinses, oral moisturizer sprays, and prescription medications designed to increase saliva production.  Dental professionals also suggests that people who suffer from chronic dry mouth limit tobacco consumption, drink plenty of water, and avoid carbonated or caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

Dental plaque is the sticky film that forms on and in between teeth.  The bacterial deposits known as dental plaque break down the enamel and hard structures of the teeth, which can lead to cavities, toothache, and possible tooth loss.  Recent studies also confirm that dental infections that result from plaque are also correlated with heart disease (caused by plaque in the arteries) and stroke.  If dental plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove.

The bacteria in plaque release acids that attack the protective enamel coating on teeth, which eventually leads to tooth decay and cavities.  Plaque is especially common near the gum line and in between teeth.  For this reason, twice daily brushing and daily flossing are crucial to the removal of plaque to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Plaque removal is especially important to the maintenance of healthy gums.  When plaque builds up beneath the gum line, it can cause irritation and inflammation which can eventually lead to gingivitis or more serious gum (periodontal) disease.  Gums that are irritated appear red and may also bleed easily.  Plaque buildup beneath the gum line can also lead to the depletion of tooth structure and also of the bones that support the teeth.

Dental plaque is best removed through brushing the teeth at least twice a day and by daily flossing.  Twice yearly professional teeth cleanings can help remove plaque that is not removed by a strong daily oral hygiene routine, but if excessive buildup of plaque is present, a dentist may need to perform scaling or root planning to remove plaque and calculus from the roots of teeth and gum pockets.

A cavity is a hole in the tooth that develops as a result of tooth decay, which breaks down tooth enamel and destroys tooth structure.  When sugars and starches are left on the teeth, plaque forms and combines with bacteria, producing acids that eat away at tooth enamel and cause decay.

There are a number of measures a person can take to avoid the decay that leads to cavities.  The most important factor to the prevention of cavities is maintaining a strong oral hygiene routine.  Brushing at least twice a day, daily flossing, and twice yearly professional dental cleanings are crucial to the removal of plaque, which can lead to cavities if left unaddressed.  A healthy diet is also important to the prevention of dental cavities: foods that are high in sugar and carbonated beverages should be limited.

A dental filling is often used to fill the hole left in a tooth by dental decay or a cavity.  However, if the cavity has gone untreated long enough that it has reached the tooth root, a root canal procedure will most likely be needed to save the tooth.  After a root canal, a dental crown or veneer will be placed on the tooth to seal the surface and to lend structural support.

While adults and children are all at risk of developing cavities, they are more common in children, who tend to have less healthy eating habits and are less dedicated to a healthy oral hygiene routine.  In fact, tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease.  To help protect children’s teeth, they should receive fluoride treatments at their twice-yearly dental appointments and have sealants placed on more cavity-prone back teeth.

An abscessed tooth is a type of dental infection deep within a tooth or gum, which is most commonly caused by severe tooth decay.  In other cases, a tooth can become abscessed as the result of some type of trauma, such as a cracked tooth, an untreated cavity, or a pocket that forms as the result of gum disease.  The sign of an abscessed tooth is a buildup of pus that is the result of infection of the tooth or gums.

Symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include throbbing pain, red or swollen gums, a salty or unpleasant taste in the mouth, fever, swollen neck glands, bad breath, or swelling of the jaw or face.  Furthermore, if a tooth is tender or sore to the touch, or if there is a bump (similar to a pimple) on the gums, this may be a sign of an abscess.

Immediate treatment for a dental abscess often includes pain medication and antibiotics, while a root canal is often the final cure.  Once infected tooth pulp has been removed through a root canal, a dental crown or veneer may be placed to add support and strength to the weakened tooth.  In cases where the abscess leads to pus in the gums surrounding the affected tooth, this infection will need to be drained.  If left untreated, the infection from an abscessed tooth can spread and lead to tooth loss or destruction of jaw bone structure below the affected tooth.

Dental practices are very different places today than they were even just a generation ago.  Comfort and convenience used to be major obstacles between patients and the dental care they needed.  Advanced dental technology has made dental appointments more comfortable and more convenient in a number of ways.  Your dentist uses these advances to improve the whole dental experience for you and your family.

Dental lasers are making procedures more comfortable by making the treatment quicker, less painful, and requiring shorter recovery times.

Advances in both topical and traditional anesthetics have made procedures less painful.

Today’s dentistry offers a number of sedation options to make you comfortable.  Ask your dentist what options are available in the practice for your dental needs.

Nothing is more convenient for you, as a patient, than getting all your dentistry done in fewer appointments.  Advances in Cosmetic Dentistry have made it possible to transform smiles quickly, sometimes in just one visit.  Complete smile makeovers can give you the smile of your dreams quickly and comfortably, in fewer appointments than you’d probably expect.

Digital X-Rays make your diagnosis quicker, easier and more comfortable than ever.

Cad-Cam technology let’s your dentist make restorations right in the dental office, which means less appointments for you!

Dental Implants are the modern way to permanently replace missing teeth.  In some cases, implants can make traditional dentures a thing of the past.

In the past, most dental problems required invasive, painful remedies that offered cosmetically unappealing results.  Thankfully, modern dental advances have led to more comfortable, efficient and aesthetically pleasing remedies for common dental issues such as those listed below.

Toothache:  Most people will deal with a toothache at some point in their lifetime.  Toothache can be caused by a number of factors, including cavities, abscesses, gum disease, broken teeth, and infected teeth.  Common dental procedures to treat toothaches include fillings, root canals, dental crowns, and dental bridges.

Cavity:  When plaque breaks down tooth enamel, a hole forms in the tooth.  This hole is known as a cavity, and can cause significant discomfort, especially if the cavity is left untreated long enough that it affects the tooth root.

Abscessed Tooth:  A tooth becomes abscessed as a result of a dental infection deep within the tooth or gum.  When this occurs, the first course of treatment is usually pain mitigation and prescription antibiotics to kill the infection.

Dry Mouth:  Dry mouth syndrome results from decreased saliva in the mouth and can cause such discomforts as a sticky feeling in the mouth or throat, bad breath, an altered sense of taste, and cracked or split lips.  Plaque:  Dental plaque is an invisible, sticky film that continually forms on the surfaces of and in between teeth.  If left untreated, plaque can lead to decay, cavities, toothache, and possible tooth loss.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth:  About seventy percent of people will have at least one impacted wisdom tooth in their lifetime.  When a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, it can cause other teeth to shift, interrupt sinus function, or cause jaw pain.