Archive for April, 2024

DOES USING A CONE BEAM SCAN BEFORE WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION CHANGE THE TREATMENT PLANNING?

This question is put forth in an article in the JAAOMS in 2020. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 78: 1071-1077, 2020). The process is actually the other way around, at least in our practice. We first diagnose the third molar condition using a panoramic scan which is a lower radiation dose and less costly than a […]

SHOULD WE BONE GRAFT JAW CYSTS AT THE TIME OF REMOVAL?

We have treated extensive jaw cysts and tumors, some that involve an entire segment of the jaw. If you have an otherwise healthy individual without associated pathology (such as jaw fracture) cleaning out the cyst and maintaining the bone architecture as you can along with closing of the tissues gives the best result. The body […]

CAN SURGICAL MANAGEMENT IMPROVE RESOLUTION OF MEDICATION-RELATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW AT EARLY STAGES?

We are still seeing patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) although it is becoming much less common as the dosage regimens for the use of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic drugs have improved dramatically over the past 20 years. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 78: 1986-1999, 2020). We do, however still see these patients in our […]