Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Tooth Extraction

When a tooth is impacted (not emerging properly) or seriously damaged, it may need to be removed.  Before removing your tooth, Dr. Meden will administer a local anesthetic to help reduce the pain of extraction and make the procedure as comfortable as possible.  Occasionally, a stronger, general anesthetic will be used  if multiple teeth need to be removed.

Bone Grafting

What is Bone Grafting?

When we have a missing tooth, our jawbone can actually begin to disappear or resorb.  If left untreated long enough, this often results in a condition where dental implants are no longer possible. Using the bone grafting technique, we can not only replace bone where it is missing, but also promote new bone growth in that location. This gives Dr. Meden the the ability to place dental implants of proper length and width, while also giving him the chance to restore functionality to the teeth and jaw, as well as improve a person’s smile.

Major & Minor Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is often used to repair implant sites that have an inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. Dr. Meden will obtain the bone graft from a tissue bank or your own bone, which is generally  taken from the jaw, hip or tibia.

The Importance of Teeth for Jaw Bone Health

When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, it can lead to a deterioration of the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. This process can develop into additional problems that can affect both your appearance and your overall health. In the same way that muscles are maintained through exercise, bone tissue is maintained by use. Our natural teeth are anchored to the jawbone. When we chew or bite, we stimulate the jawbone, which keeps is strong and healthy. When we’re missing teeth, the alveolar bone, or part of the jawbone that anchors our teeth, no longer receives the necessary stimulation, and begins to break down.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to break through the gum in the mouth. Occasionally, when they don’t encroach upon neighboring teeth and gum tissue remains healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. More often than not, however, this does not typically happen. Dentists elect to extract the wisdom teeth when they can’t properly erupt within the mouth.

Impacted teeth can cause many problems. If they are only partially erupted, bacteria can grow in and around the opening and will eventually cause an infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth.

 A serious problem can occur when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth. This can result in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removing the impacted teeth typically solves these kinds problems. We generally recommend early removal in order to avoid problems like these and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Oral Examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Meden evaluates the position of the wisdom teeth and identifies any potential problems. Numerous studies show that regular evaluations and treatment have better results for patients. When patients are evaluated in their mid-teenage years by a qualified dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, patients have fewer problems in the future.

Removal

Wisdom teeth removal is regularly performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Meden will discuss anesthesia as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications),  with you before the procedure is performed.