Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeries

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jaw bone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jaw bone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jaw bone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time when your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.

After the implant has bonded to the jaw bone, the second phase begins. The implants are uncovered and will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. Those artificial teeth are placed in those posts will not be visible. The entire procedure usually takes 6 to 8 months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

When you lose several teeth, whether it's a new situation or something you have lived with for years, chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself. Dental implants are your doorway to renewed self-confidence. This concept of oral rehabilitation was developed over 35 years ago.

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, bone grafting or other ways to improve the outcome may be recommended.

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions gum disease for injuries. The bone is obtained from a tissue bank, or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip, or tibia. Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace the posterior upper jaw bone. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum, protect the bone graft, and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.

Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. Significant defects are repaired using the patient's own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different sites depending on the size of the defect. The skull, hip, and lateral knee are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.

The maxillary sinus is behind your cheeks and on top of your upper teeth. Sinus is like empty rooms that have nothing in them. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinus is. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bones separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.

The solution to this problem is called a sinus graft or sinus lift graft. The dental implant surgeon enters the sinus from where the upper teeth used to be. The sinus membrane is then lifted upward, and donor's bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient's jaw, and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in the new sinus bone.

The ridge has been reabsorbed in many cases, and a bone graft is placed to increase ridge height and/or width. This technique is used to restore the last bone dimension when the jaw ridge gets too thin to place conventional implants. In this procedure, the bony bridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant.

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly, and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted wisdom teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted wisdom teeth can cause many problems. When they partially erupt, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result is swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jaw bone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth usually resolves this problem. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.