Archives: Procedure

Dental implants are one of the best treatments for replacing single and multiple teeth. An implant is surgically placed in either the upper or lower jawbone and serves as foundation for the missing tooth or teeth. A dental implant is typically made of a sterile surgical grade material such as titanium. After an implant has been placed in the jaw, with proper oral hygiene and post-operative care, a dental implant can last a lifetime. The primary advantage of dental implants are improved stability, retention and function. Once an implant has integrated (fused) to the bone, it will remain in place and not be removable. Implants can be used to replace a single missing individual tooth or used to replace multiple missing teeth. Implants can additionally be used to replace all missing teeth by acting as the foundation that a prosthetic is fixated to. Unlike a traditional dental bridge that requires altering the structure of an existing adjacent tooth, implants help to replace the missing tooth with any tooth damage to the adjacent teeth. Unlike a traditional denture or partial denture, implants serve as a fixed anchor that eliminates the mobility, loosening, dislodgment that is typically associated with these types of treatments. Dental implants are able to become a permanent part of a patient’s smile, allowing artificial teeth to look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

The overall success rate for dental implants is about 95%. With decades of clinical research and studies to confirm their success, patients can be confident that dental implants are one of the best treatment options for replacing missing teeth.

When considering a dental implant:

Dental implants can be a treatment for almost all adults, even those with existing medical conditions or mouth problems. Before having a dental implant placed, patients typically meet with his or her dentist to discuss replacing a tooth or teeth in this manner. A patient’s restorative dentist will work hand in hand with each patient and oral surgeon to provide guidance regarding the best possible treatment.

A patient first will undergo a comprehensive consultation which will involve a review of his or her medical history, a thorough examination, and review of dental x-rays. Our experienced surgeons work in collaboration with the dentist to ensure the dental implant process is seamless. During the dental implant placement Drs. Haas, Kurtzman, Pearson, Sundick, Neuner, McMahon, Spanel, Omlie, Ziegler, Afwerke and McGowan perform the surgery, while the dentist fits and creates the permanent prosthesis, (the crown). The majority of implant surgeries are performed in the operating suites at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants with local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation depending on the patient’s medical history and treatment needs.

The implant placement process:

The implant will be place by a trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This will be placed into the bone of either the upper or lower jaw. Typically, an implant takes 3-6 month to integrate (fuse to the bone) before the final prosthesis or crown is placed on the implant. If the implant is for a tooth in the back of a patient’s mouth or not fully visualized when smiling, the implant will heal in the jaw without a crown in place. If the implant is placed in the front of the mouth or in a highly visible area, typically a temporary tooth will be inserted to be worn over the implant site until it has fully healed. Once fully healed, the restorative dentist makes impressions of the implant and of the upper and lower jaws. From these impressions, a model is made, which then is used to create the crown that is affixed to the implant. After the implant is completely installed, patients typically have post-operative examinations to ensure proper healing, function, and esthetics.

Each individual’s implant situation is unique and will ultimately vary in the necessary treatment and number of treatments needed to achieve the patient’s dental implant needs and desires. As with all of our surgical procedures, the surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants are dedicated to our patients’ comfort and surgical success.

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Tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgical procedures performed. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are specifically trained in tooth removal in the most safe and effective manner. Tooth extractions are necessary for to a number a reasons ranging from dental decay (a cavity), gum disease, pain, infection, trauma, pathology, or for various orthodontic treatments.  A patient will typically see his or her restorative dentist prior to seeing an oral surgeon to evaluate if a tooth can be kept or fixed.  If the tooth is determined to need removal, the surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants, will be able to quickly assess the tooth and perform an extraction that is safe, efficient and as comfortable as possible.

Consultation and recommendations:

A patient first will undergo a comprehensive consultation which will involve a review of his or her medical history, a thorough examination, and review of dental x-rays. Our experienced surgeons work in collaboration with the patient’s dentist to ensure the tooth extraction process is seamless. Drs. Omile, Haas, Kurtzman, Pearson, Sundick, Neuner, McMahon, Spanel, Omlie, Ziegler, Afwerke and McGowan routinely perform this type of surgery.  Tooth extractions are performed in up to date operating suites at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants with local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation, depending on the patient’s medical history and treatment needs.

Extraction Procedure:

Prior to performing a tooth extraction, the area of the tooth is numbed.  This process involves administering local anesthesia, such as lidocaine, to the area surrounding the tooth to prevent discomfort during its removal. Depending on the patient’s medical history and type of dental extraction, additional adjuncts such as nitrous oxide or IV sedation may be administered.  Please see Anesthesia link for further information.

During a tooth extraction, the patient will not feel any discomfort. However, it is common for the patient to experience some pressure to the area where the tooth is being removed. This pressure is caused by the tooth being loosened from the surrounding bone.

Teeth are often extracted in entirety from the tooth socket. At times due to tooth decay, tooth fracture, or a long or curved tooth root, the tooth may be removed in pieces.  This process is called sectioning the tooth. During this process, the patient will not have any pain, but will feel a small amount of vibration in addition to the pressure during removal of the tooth pieces. 

Gum tissue surrounding the tooth may by gently pushed out of the way to aid in removing the tooth.  After the extraction is completed, the gum tissue is often re-positioned and held in place with a dissolvable stich.  This stich will not need to be removed and will loosen and dissolve without causing any discomfort.

Post-operative care after tooth extractions:

See Post-operative home care instructions.

Tooth Maintenance and Good Oral Hygiene:

Teeth not only aid with chewing, speaking and facial esthetics, but are essential to a patient’s overall health and well-being.  Good oral hygiene and routine examinations with a restorative dentist is extremely important and encouraged by the surgeons at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants to prevent unnecessary tooth loss.  

If a patient does not have a restorative dentist and experiences symptoms of pain, swelling, or discomfort associated with one or more of his or her teeth, the surgeons at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants recommend seeing a restorative dentist as soon as possible to see if the tooth can be maintained. If a tooth ultimately needs to be removed, the surgeons will work to ensure a safe, comfortable, and efficient tooth extraction as possible.

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Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Removal:

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the most posterior teeth in the mouth.  These teeth typically begin to erupt and become visible in the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25. Unfortunately, most individuals simply do not have enough room in their mouth for these teeth to fully erupt or to keep clean and be functional. If there is insufficient space for these teeth to fully erupt, the teeth are called impacted.  Due to this fact, it is often necessary to extract these teeth in order to improve the patient’s oral health and help prevent dental decay and gum disease.  

Most dental and medical professionals agree that wisdom teeth should be removed in order to avoid potential problems as a patient ages. Third molar extractions are typically better tolerated in adolescence to young adulthood, about 15 to 25 years of age, however, each patient is unique. During this period, the tooth has less root formation, making them easier to remove and less likely to cause complications. Additional reasons for removing third molars include incomplete eruption, gum disease around teeth, dental crowding, orthodontic treatment, and potential damage to adjacent teeth. Regardless of the age of the patient, the surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants are experts at working with each patient to determine the best solutions for each unique situation.

Consultation and recommendations:

At the first visit, a patient will have a thorough oral examination and a review of dental imaging and medical history. Based on the results of the exam and imaging,  the surgeon will develop a plan with the most up to date and safest treatment recommendations. During the consultation, each patient is encouraged to ask questions about the surgery and discuss concerns. Drs. Haas, Kurtzman, Pearson, Sundick, Neuner, McMahon, Spanel, Omlie, Ziegler, Afwerke and McGowan are experienced, well-trained, and will work hard to determine the best treatment options for each individual patient.

Wisdom tooth Removal:

The surgery will occur in our operating suites, using the most current and up to date techniques and monitoring equipment. During surgery, the surgeon will extract the teeth while the patient is treated with local anesthesia, laughing gas, IV sedation or a combination of these agents. After the teeth have been removed, the gum tissue may be stitched shut with a dissolvable suture. The duration of the surgery will vary by patient and surgical complexity. The surgeon will explain all of these options during the initial exam.

After surgery:

Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure, therefore patients may experience mild discomfort and swelling after the procedure. The initial exam and surgery will include information about what to expect during the recovery and how to adjust a patient’s diet and lifestyle, if needed.  Each patient will also go home with a post-operative kit that has instructions, possible prescriptions and various other things that may be needed.

As with all of our surgical procedures, the surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants are dedicated to our patients’ comfort and surgical success.

See Home Care Instructions