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<h1>Procedures and treatments include: widsom teeth, pathology, infection, dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants, bone grafting, anesthesia</h1>
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<h2>WISDOM TEETH</h2>
<p>Wisdom teeth, officially referred to as third molars, are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back part of your mouth. They usually complete development between the ages of 15 and 20, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of Wisdom.<br>
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<p>Since the wisdom teeth are the last to develop, they may not have enough room to adequately erupt into the mouth to become fully functional and cleansible teeth. This lack of room or space can result in a number of harmful effects on your overall dental health.<br>
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<p>When this occurs they are said to be impacted, indicating their inability to erupt into an alignment which will allow them to function in the chewing process.<br>
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<p>During your consultation appointment we will examine your mouth and your panographic X-ray to determine if wisdom tooth removal would be of benefit to you.<br>
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<h2>ANESTHESIA</h2>
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<p>Our training in anesthesia begins in dental school, where we learn a great deal about the dentist's mainstay of pain control, local anesthetic. The public knows local anesthetic as "Novocaine", a proprietary drug which actually has been out of common usage since the early 60’s. But, the name has carried over to encompass the many better and safer local anesthetics used today.<br>
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<p>Under the right conditions, anything a dentist does can be accomplished without significant pain using today's local anesthetics.<br>
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<h2>BONE GRAFTING:</h2>
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<p>Growing new bone where there is a defect or deficiency has been a common procedure in orthopedic and oral surgery for many years. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have pioneered bone grafting in the jawbones, for correction of facial skeleton defects, and to provide adequate bone for dental implants.<br>
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<h2>DENTAL IMPLANTS</h2>
<p>Oral surgeons and other dental specialists are placing dental implants commonly all over the world. The modem dental implant has revolutionized our ability to REPLACE MISSING TEETH and STABILIZE LOOSE DENTURES.</p>
<p>Dental implants offer ANSWERS to the options of conventional FIXED BRIDGES, which require the cutting down of enamel on what are often perfectly healthy teeth or either side of the space. Another option is a REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE, which many people will not tolerate. LOOSE, FULL DENTURES can be retained better with relatively simple techniques. Indeed a full set of missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants, although it is quite expensive.</p>
<h2>INFECTION</h2>
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<p>Infection of the teeth and mouth is an area in which the oral surgeon is very well versed. Much of our day in the office is devoted to managing infection in one form or another.</p>
<p>Most dental infections are relatively minor, fortunately. The most common source of infection in the mouth is the abscessed tooth. This can cause pain and gum swelling and often facial swelling. The head and neck area has a much better blood supply than the rest of the body. As a result, most dental infections can be taken care of with antibiotics, pain medication, and timely extraction of the offending tooth.</p>
<p>Any doctor who has treated a lot of infections realizes that he or she is only assisting the patient’s normal immune system, however. If some disease process has compromised the immune system, or if the patient waits too long to seek treatment, then even good care can result in infection in the jaw becoming quite serious and even life threatening. Hospitalization, IV antibiotics and operating room surgery may be necessary.</p>
<h2>DENTOALVEOLAR SURGERY</h2>
<p>The term "dentoalveolar" means "the teeth, and bone that holds the teeth in". Oral surgeons are the experts in dentoalveolar surgery, a rather all-encompassing term that means management of teeth and bone problems requiring more extensive surgical procedures.<br>
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<p>This area includes but is not limited to wisdom teeth, extractions, and preparation of the mouth for dentures, biopsies, dental implants, and bone grafts.<br>
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<h2>PATHOLOGY</h2>
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<p>The surgical management of oral pathology is an area where all oral surgeons are trained quite thoroughly.<br>
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<p>Oral pathology can be defined as lumps, bumps, and discoloration of the "skin" inside the mouth and the supporting jaw structure. This also includes unusual findings on jaw x-rays that the patient may be unaware of.<br>
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<p>Certainly the most serious of these areas is oral cancer, but fortunately this is a rare finding in our healthy patient base here.<br>
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<p>Suffice to say, any white or red patch, or bump inside or outside the mouth, is suspicious. If it does not go away in a week or two, it should be evaluated. Pain is often associated with serious pathology, but often it is not.<br>
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<p>All members of the dental team, oral surgeons, dentists, and dental hygienists (as well as physicians) are trained to do screening exams of the mouth for oral cancer and other pathology.<br>
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