Archive for the ‘ Blog ’ Category

WHY DO WOMEN SUFFER FROM TMJ PROBLEMS MORE THAN MEN?  

The quick answer is that women, on average, have smaller anatomy than men and their smaller anatomy does not handle the stresses on the joint system placed by other variations in anatomy and physiology as well as it does for men. (2019 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 0278-2391/19/30453-7)  The most common main cause […]

VOLUNTEER PURSUITS

Dr. Richard M. Wagner is a member of the Alpine Valley Ski Patrol and has been a ski patroller for over 25 years. “Rich” is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Racine and Kenosha Wisconsin and has served in a number of capacities with ski patrol including OEC and toboggan instructor. You will find him […]

History of Wisdom Teeth

Most people need their wisdom teeth removed, so why do we have them in the first place? Here’s a quick history lesson of wisdom teeth and the important role they once played! Wisdom teeth were once an extremely valuable asset to our ancestors. When a typical diet consisted of chewy plants and uncooked meat, third […]

Oral Health: Get Your Oral Cancer Screening

Did you know that mouth cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide? The sad truth is that oral cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women, and the fastest growing group of oral cancer patients are young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals. Now is the time to be proactive and get yourself […]

WAGNER RECEIVES NOBEL BIOCARE AWARD

Nobel Biocare created the Diamond Partner Status to recognize an elite group of doctors – those who are the most skilled and experienced in the art of dental implants. Dr. Wagner has exhibited a commitment to furthering the science and knowledge of dental implants. He actively promotes the advantages of dental implant care. His years […]

How to Take Care of Your Dental Implant

Cleaning and taking care of your implant is just as important as cleaning your natural teeth. Here are some things you should know about caring for your implant. Your implant and your natural teeth are similar because they both rely on healthy tissue for support! Just like with real teeth, plaque buildup can be harmful. […]

SURGICALLY ASSISTED PALATAL EXPANSION

Surgically assisted palatal expansion, also called rapid palatal expansion, is a common orthognathic procedure that can be done on individuals of any age. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 72:2278-2288, 2014). In the younger patient it involves just a loosening of the structures. In the teen and older patient I typically do a complete osteotomy as it […]

GARDNER SYNDROME, OSTEOMAS (EXOSTOSES) and COLORECTAL CANCER

In our practice we have never seen a case of Gardner Syndrome – at least any that we have been aware of (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1617-1627, 2019)  Gardner Syndrome is characterized by uncountable adenomas throughout the colon and rectum, with a high risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). If left untreated it has almost […]

IS IT SAFE TO REMOVE TEETH IN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS?

This question is posed in an article in JOMS August 2019. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1557-1565, 2019) As long as patients understand the concerns and risks associated with treatment with or without antibiotic coverage I am happy to provide care either way. We have a great deal of experience in providing care under both scenarios. […]

THE SAFETY OF OUTPATIENT ANESTHESIA IN ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS OFFICES

Outpatient anesthesia delivered by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMFS’S) in the office continues to be an extremely safe procedure.  (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1602-1610, 2019)  We see regular and consistent attacks on the practice of surgery and anesthesia provided in the office setting by OMFS’S from many fronts. The plain truth is that this is […]