Dental Implants
These are devices which secure replacement teeth to the
bone and gum. In addition to stabilizing loose teeth or
problem dentures, implants are often required for bridgework
after teeth have been removed. By strengthening the natural
bond between the teeth and oral tissues, dental implants
can eliminate the physical discomfort associated with
the loss of teeth.
Cosmetic Surgery
Most corrective surgery is done to correct functional
problems, but cosmetic surgery can be done too, and, at
the same time! The doctor will be happy to discuss the
coordination of functional and cosmetic treatments.
Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
If you are constantly troubled by loose dentures, you
may be suffering from a loss of or change in the supporting
gum tissue and bone. Often the dentures need only be relined
to restore a proper fit and healthy tissues. In cases
of more severe bone deterioration, the affected teeth
and/or surrounding soft or hard tissue may be augmented
or reconstructed ("built up") to prevent further
loss.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries include cuts, bruises, lacerations, abrasions
and fractures, and can result in damaged or lost teeth.
The signs of severe injuries tend to show up in the two
moving areas of the face-the eyes and the mouth. Typical
indications of a jaw, cheekbone or eye socket fracturing
are:
- Ill-fitting teeth or clicking jaw joint
- Eyes that don't move together
- Impaired or double vision
- An inability to open the mouth (due to the jaw catching
on the fractured bone
- Difficulty in breathing, eating or speaking
- Swelling over the injured area
Despite a high success rate for treating facial injuries,
there is no substitute for prevention. Many sports and
accident-related injuries could have been avoided if
a seat belt, mouth guard, face mask, helmet or other
safety device had been worn.
Tooth Removal
Persistent pain in the jaw, gum or early redness or
swelling in the back of the mouth; or a discharge, abscess
or foul taste indicate an impacted or infected tooth.
Tooth extractions can be accompanied by premedication
and/or anesthetic to reduce normal anxiety and eliminate
pain.
Cyst and Tumor Removal
Being alert to the physical warning signs of a developing
cyst or tumor is critical to its timely diagnosis and
treatment. Most oral tumors are benign and easily removed.
Nevertheless, we urge you to seek prompt, professional
attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Mouth sore, lump or other suspicious growth that
has not healed in two weeks
- Discharge or pus or other fluid
- White or red patches inside the mouth
- Swelling that last longer than one week
- Change in taste or eating habits
The doctor often performs a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
and determine a specific treatment plan. During the
biopsy, a small tissue sample is removed from the affected
area for further testing. The doctor will discuss the
results of the biopsy with you and plan further treatment
if necessary.
Our early diagnostic procedure for suspicious red or
white lesions is the CDX Brush Biopsy. Similar to a
"PAP" smear – a scraping of the questionable
lesion is submitted to the lab for microscopic evaluation.
This is quick and painless. No suspicious area should
be ignored!
Infection Control
In order to protect you as well as ourselves, our office
uses state of the art infection control procedures.
We meet or exceed all OSHA, ADA, CDC guidelines.
We routinely utilize "Universal Precautions"
and "Barrier Techniques."
"Universal Precaution" is the practice of
using the same infection control techniques for all
patients and members of the surgical team. "Barrier
Technique" means the surgical team will wear gloves,
masks and protective eye shields when performing surgical
procedures. This creates a barrier to prevent contact
with blood or body fluids and thus prevent transmission
of contaminants from one person to another.
Standard infection control procedures include steam
sterilization of all surgical instruments as well as
drills following each procedure.
All potential contaminated room surfaces and equipment
are disinfected as well. All injectables are disposable
and never reused.
All contaminated materials are specially packaged and
disposed of following OSHA guidelines and State Regulations.
If you have any questions about our infection control
practices, ask us. We will be happy to discuss them
with you.
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