A variety of different kinds of dental providers offer dental implants, ranging from general dentists to certain specialists. When choosing your provider you should consider the nature of dental implant placement and the training and expertise that your provider has in this area.

Dental implant placement is one of the procedures that an oral surgeon provides most often. That repetition benefits dental implant patients because these specialists have an opportunity to fine-tune their craft multiple times a week, at least.

The Dental Implant Placement Procedure

Unlike other options for tooth replacement, dental implants do require a surgical procedure. The oral surgeon must make an incision in the gum tissue at the implant site and create room in the bone to insert the dental implant. Then, osseointegration (the bone’s fusion with the implant) can proceed.

Dental implant placement requires knowledge in a number of areas – anesthesia/sedation, facial and bone structures and surgical techniques, among others, such as bone grafting, which can be needed for dental implant patients who lack adequate bone tissue at the implant site.

Training And Expertise Of Oral Surgeons

There are a number of compelling reasons to choose a dental implant provider who focuses their practice on dental implant placement and other related surgical procedures.

An oral surgeon begins to develop their skills early in their career. Practicing this specialty requires completion of a post-graduate residency that focuses on gaining knowledge and mastery of oral surgery techniques, such as those used in placing dental implants.

Additionally, these specialists often join professional groups dedicated to the practice of oral surgery. They must take ongoing continuing education credits in their field, giving them ample opportunity to complete trainings about the newest dental implant designs or placement techniques.

This combination of pertinent training and practice of dental implant placement uniquely qualifies our providers to offer this procedure with predictable, positive results. To learn more about the benefits of working with one of our specialists to get dental implants, schedule a consultation at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates.

Jaw surgery involves correcting abnormalities or reconstructing damaged tissue in the jawbone. As with many other types of surgical procedures, one’s recovery time varies based on different factors. When it comes to jaw surgery, there is no standard time frame for recovery. Fortunately, our oral surgeons will offer guidance during the post-operative and recovery phases of treatment to help patients resume normal, everyday activities as soon as possible.

When is jaw surgery necessary?

Jaw surgery is necessary when a patient suffers from discomfort or reduced oral function caused by misaligned or damaged jawbones. Sometimes one jawbone will develop more quickly than the other one. This can lead to malocclusions like underbites, overbites, and open bites that cannot always be corrected with orthodontic treatment alone. This type of treatment is corrective in nature. When the jawbones are misaligned, it can lead to diminished oral function and permanent damage to the TMJs (temporomandibular joints) and teeth.

Another reason jaw surgery might be necessary is to reconstruct bone mass. For instance, if a person has lost bone mass to disease or osteoporosis or has endured facial trauma, reconstructive surgery might be required to restore oral function. Reconstructive surgeries typically involve bone grafting. A treatment where excess bone is taken from the hip or knee or from a tissue bank and placed over areas in the jaw where bone is needed.

How will I know if I need jaw surgery?

Normally, patients find out they might need jaw surgery after a visit to the dentist or after a traumatic injury. At this point, those who might need jaw surgery will be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. An oral surgeon is a specialist trained to perform a variety of surgeries and treatments throughout the oral cavity and facial region.

After a consultation, which will include a physical examination and the use of diagnostic images, a treatment plan will be developed to restore or correct any abnormalities.

Call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to reserve an appointment.

Some patients have qualms about having their wisdom teeth removed if they’re not symptomatic. It’s understandable that they might be reluctant about surgery if they’re not having any problems. However, it’s important to note that the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth can have a number of health benefits for the patient.

Impacted wisdom teeth are more prone to developing issues like cysts, tumors, abscesses and infections. Therefore, when an oral surgeon removes those third molars, that risk will decrease. In some cases the entire body can benefit. For example, an infection that begins in a wisdom tooth can easily access the bloodstream and then travel elsewhere in the body.

Furthermore, impacted wisdom teeth can damage other teeth as they continue to try to erupt. They can bump into other teeth and push them out of the proper alignment. This can negatively affect a patient’s ability to chew or speak.

It’s hard to keep partially erupted teeth clean, so gum disease can develop in the vicinity of impacted wisdom teeth. This too can shock your entire system, as there appears to be some link between the inflammation associated with gum disease and that found in other serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

To avoid such consequences, many patients consult with an oral surgeon about wisdom teeth removal before these problems even arise. In fact, it’s recommended that patients have their wisdom teeth extracted before age 25, because the procedure is more straightforward and recovery quicker in younger people.

The extraction procedure is completed in our office, and patients can choose to have some form of sedation for additional comfort.

Most patients can resume nearly all normal activities within days of having their wisdom teeth removed. Your surgeon will give you guidance on the steps you can take to prevent post-operative complications that could lengthen your recovery period.

If you still have your wisdom teeth, schedule an evaluation with our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to determine whether your third molars are impacted and what the recommended course of action for treatment is.

Anesthetic medicine helps our patients feel at ease and comfortable during oral surgery procedures. In fact, anesthesia is used for a number or oral and maxillofacial surgeries including wisdom teeth removal and dental implant placement. Our oral surgeons, Dr. Sherry, Dr. Wallace, Dr. Gannon, and Dr. Lee, possess additional training and education to provide effective sedation and anesthesia to our patients.

Types of Anesthesia

There two types of anesthesia, local and general. You have probably received local anesthesia at least once in your lifetime. The most common form of local anesthesia in a dental or oral surgery practice is nitrous oxide. This is a short-acting gas delivered by a facial mask that produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Local anesthesia is typically used in short, minimally invasive procedures while general anesthesia is reserved for more complex services.

Oral and IV Sedation

Sedative medication, like anesthesia, promotes patient comfort by relieving anxiety. Working with the GABA receptors in the brain, sedatives reduce feelings of panic and worry while also promoting a calm and serene state of mind. Oral sedatives are typically taken before a short procedure and are very mild in nature. For procedures that require stillness such as the placement of dental implants, IV sedation is especially helpful. IV sedation is administered in a highly controlled environment where the dosage is carefully determined by our staff. Because administering medication intravenously is very precise, patients receive the amount of medication that is right for them. Both Dr. Sherry, Dr. Wallace, Dr. Gannon, and Dr. Lee hold certification to administer general anesthesia and IV sedation.

In addition to the training and experience of our oral surgeons, our team possesses in-depth training as well in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), PALS (pediatric life support), and ACLS (advanced cardiac life support). We take all measures necessary to provide the most comfortable and safe environment possible for our guests.

To schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons or to inquire about medication for an upcoming procedure, contact either of our convenient locations today.

A severe injury can end up resulting in a trip to the oral surgeon, so most patients want to do as much as possible to prevent such problems whenever possible.

Some steps to prevent facial injuries are quite simple. For example, many patients find themselves visiting an oral surgeon to repair a fractured jaw or other facial trauma suffered in a car accident.

Therefore, be sure to buckle up every time you get in the car. That restraint can help reduce your likelihood of facial fractures if you are in an accident.

Additionally, reducing your risk of an accident by avoiding drunk driving and driving at the speed limit can also help to prevent facial injuries.

You can also look at your home setup to reduce the risk of facial injuries that could require oral surgery. Walk through each room and examine it for possible tripping hazards, like loose rugs. Keeping your floors clear can prevent falls that can result in a broken jaw or other facial fracture. This is especially important for older adults, who are more prone to falling at home and tend to suffer more traumatic injuries from such a fall. 

During winter months, be sure to keep your sidewalks clear of ice, too – for your own benefit as well as that of your neighbors.

Athletes are particularly prone to facial injuries, too. Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard can go a long way to protect an athlete from severe facial trauma while playing contact sports. A dental provider can design one to meet your unique specifications so that it has an effective fit, unlike boil-and-bite varieties.

Even recreational athletes, like rock climbers, rollerbladers or occasional bike riders should also wear helmets to prevent facial injuries.

Patients can take a number of precautions to reduce their risk of facial trauma. However, if you do suffer from a facial injury, schedule a consultation with our team at Oral Surgery Associates of North Texas as quickly as possible to identify the appropriate intervention to repair the damage. This step can help you achieve your desired treatment outcomes.

Many patients who might benefit from orthodontic treatment are reluctant to consider an intervention that will obscure their smiles for the better part of two years. Who wants to be stuck in metal appliances for such a long period of time?

Fortunately, those patients can get straighter smiles with shorter treatment thanks to a special type of oral surgery that helps the braces to reposition the teeth more quickly, shaving up to eight months from the treatment timeline.

This intervention, known as Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (AOO), involves collaboration between an oral surgeon and an orthodontist. Patients of any age can qualify for this treatment, as long as all of their permanent teeth have emerged.

With AOO, the oral surgeon prepares the supporting bone material in a way that facilitates faster bone movement. The surgeon scores the bone, removing a small amount and rendering the bone softer. This makes it easier for the teeth to move into their correct positions. Consequently, they do so more quickly.

After the bone is altered in the surgery, it begins to re-mineralize in 4-8 weeks, leaving behind bone material that is as strong as it was before the procedure.

The surgery component of Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics is a straightforward outpatient procedure. It is completed in just a few hours. The orthodontist and the oral surgeon will collaborate closely on the timing of the surgery to achieve the desired outcomes.

As with any oral surgery, AOO patients must be healthy enough to tolerate the procedure. Before performing the surgery, your oral surgeon will examine you for any signs of infection or other oral diseases that could cause complications.

When your orthodontist works with an oral surgeon to provide you with Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics, you can enjoy a perfectly aligned smile quicker than with conventional orthodontic treatment. If you want to spend less time in braces, talk to your orthodontist about this option and schedule a consultation with our skilled team of oral surgeons.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which people stop sleeping repeatedly for very brief periods. An oral surgeon can tell you that symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, morning headaches and dry or sore throat upon waking.

This condition is more than a nuisance for a sleeping partner, though. Sleep can have serious consequences for your health.

During the short apneic episodes when breathing temporarily ceases, the oxygen levels in your blood drop. The brain senses this and wakes you briefly to resume normal breathing.

In addition to its negative effects on your quality of life, sleep apnea also appears to be related to heart disease (including atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure), high blood pressure and stroke, all of which can have significant effects on your health. In patients with heart disease, repeated episodes of hypoxia (low blood oxygen) may result in fatal cardiac events.

With obstructive sleep apnea, in which the soft tissues at the rear of the throat collapse during sleep and cover up the airway opening, patients may consult with an oral surgeon for treatments that reposition the tongue or jaw to prevent the soft tissues from relaxing during sleep.

Although a surgeon may be involved in treatment for sleep apnea, the condition does not necessarily require oral surgery. Many patients will improve with a more conservative intervention. Surgery will only be considered in rare cases in which the oral appliance therapy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask is ineffective.

Before seeking treatment from an oral surgeon, though, patients should undergo a sleep study to confirm the obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. If obstructive sleep apnea is not causing your problems, then treatment for it won’t relieve your symptoms. You may be able to complete the sleep study in the comfort of your own home.

Getting effective treatment for sleep apnea has the potential to be literally life-saving for some patients. If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, consult with either of our oral surgery offices today.