Archive for the ‘ Oral Surgery ’ Category

What is the Better X-ray for Wisdom Teeth, the Panoramic or the Cone Beam Scan?

The cone beam scan is by far the better of the two if you are just basing the question off which gives you more information (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1968, 2019).  The panoramic is a two-dimensional x-ray picture of the jaw structure, and the cone beam imaging is a three-dimensional reconstruction of multiple scans, and […]

Use of PRGF to Help Heal Extraction Sockets

As soon as we started using PRGF for bone-grafting procedures in our practice, I recognized the great benefit that this technology had for healing in bone defects.  (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 79:305-312, 2021)  I read with interest this article where PRGF was used to help with the healing of tooth extraction sites for patients undergoing […]

SHOULD DOCTORS BE ABLE TO FREELY PRESCRIBE PAINPILLS?

 If you are in pain from an injury or a surgical procedure, the answer is usually yes! In my patient population I rarely run into prescription abusers, and we are very responsible in our prescribing patterns. We perform procedures that typically require pain relief during recovery and we prescribe appropriate medications and amounts. When we […]

DOES ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY AFFECT BREATHING?

The technical question would be “does orthognathic surgery affect the upper airways?” There is a favorable effect of orthognathic surgery in the upper airways regardless of the surgical approach. Bimaxillary (upper and lower jaws together) advancement and counterclockwise rotation of the mandibular occlusal plane are the most significant contributors. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 79:450-462, 2021). […]

IS SOFT TISSUE GRAFTING (ATTACHED MUCOSAL GRAFTING) NEEDED AROUND DENTAL IMPLANTS?

IS SOFT TISSUE GRAFTING (ATTACHED MUCOSAL GRAFTING) NEEDED AROUND DENTAL IMPLANTS? Yes. This is true of any site, but especially true in compromised sites such as patients who have undergone treatments including radiation therapy or major jaw reconstruction (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 79:560-574, 2021). Around our healthy teeth there is a band of tissue that […]

ANXIETY DURING THIRD MOLAR EXTRACTION

In our practice, removal of third molar teeth (wisdom teeth) is most commonly performed under IV anesthesia. This is appropriate and I feel necessary for this treatment to be a positive experience for most patients. With intravenous anesthesia you are completely relaxed, you have no anxieties and your jaw muscles are relaxed – it makes […]

DOES THE CONE BEAM SCAN (CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY) CHANGE THE TREATMENT DECISION TO REMOVE IMPACTED THIRD MOLAR TEETH?

The main reasons why I recommend a cone beam scan (CBCT) for third molar extractions is when there is significant risk to the nerve in the lower jaw (inferior alveolar nerve) or when there are significant lesions (typically cysts or tumors) associated with the jaw and/or teeth. For me, the cone beam scan has never […]

IS BONE GRAFTING NEEDED AFTER THIRD MOLAR (WISDOM TOOTH) EXTRACTIONS?

First off, as I have blogged before, get wisdom teeth out at an early age – about 15 years old – and you avoid 99% of the problems that tend to occur including the problems talked about in this article. But assuming that you are older and still have your wisdom teeth, as a rule, […]

HOW SHOULD WE MANAGE THRID MOLAR TEETH?

As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and one who is experienced and expert in the treatment of and removal of third molar teeth, I read with great interest the article titled “Management of Third Molars” in the Dental Academy of CE.com’s magazine. I will first reference you to our article on the subject which is […]

IS YOUR FACE CROOKED?

I apologize up front if you are drawn to this blog to seek a solution to a crooked face. We do perform orthognathic surgery in our practice which can address this; however this blog is directed at an article comparing observers-variations in how facial asymmetry is seen. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 73:1606-1614, 2015). Our training […]