Archive for the ‘ Oral Surgery ’ Category

A FOUNDATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANDRAGOGY IN ORAL and MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY/THE USE OF SOCRATIC TEACHING

Ok, if you are reading this blog entry you are certainly a one percenter. Maybe you are even a part of the problem or part of the solution. At any rate andragogies also called “medical pimping” has been a part of medical and surgical training forever (at least my forever). (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1101-1102, […]

CORONECTOMY and THE NEED FOR REOPERATION

If you have read my blogs on the subject you know that I am almost completely opposed to the procedure of coronectomy as a treatment for impacted third molar teeth. I base this on a number of factors including – we rarely have problems with complete removal in the first place; the procedure leaves “the […]

REMOVAL OF IMPACTED SUPERNUMERARY TEETH USING A DYNAMIC SURGICAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM

There are systems available for computer guided techniques to approach difficult-to-visualize structures such as dental implant sites, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and impacted teeth such as supernumerary teeth. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:1130-1134, 2019)  I have had the opportunity to train in and try these techniques and use this equipment. In most cases, as it […]

TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ORAL and MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS

This blog entry is based on an article with the title “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 78: 12-17, 2020). The implication is that those who have gone before us are “giants” and are due a certain amount of awe. I guess there is a great deal of truth in that […]

ESSENTIAL OILS IN ORAL SURGERY

Talk about misinfodemics! (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 77:2466.e1-2466.e7, 2019). Ok, now please do not berate me and bombard me with all kinds of opine-blasts. I understand how sensitive many of you are about your essential oils and the proclaimed medical benefits of these. I do recognize that there are certainly many essential oils, especially aromatics, […]

MULTIPLE TRAUMA PATIENTS WITH FACIAL FRACTURES

With the use of seatbelt restraints, airbags, and protective equipment such as helmets, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of multiple trauma incidents and facial fractures associated with traumatic brain injury. High speed automobile accidents and multiple trauma incidents such as plane or train crashes often bring in much more complicated cases, […]

TREATMENT OF ATYPICAL MIDFACIAL PAIN WITH A MAXILLARY SINUS LIFT PROCEDURE

I have found that atypical facial pain in the upper jaw is often related to a bone defect in the sinus wall which has healed with tissue ingrowth. This typically occurs as the result of dental trauma or a surgical defect after tooth extraction or orthognathic surgery, as examples. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 72:2453.e1-2453.e5, 2014). […]

SHOULD WE GET CONE BEAM SCAN (CBS) IMAGES PRIOR TO THRID MOLAR REMOVAL?

Every once in awhile I read an article in a responsible medical or dental journal that just floors me in its stupidity. The article I reference here is one of these (JADA 148(8) 575-583). This article is nothing more than an analysis of other articles written on the subject which draws a completely stupid conclusion […]

GENIOPLASTY-CHIN REDUCTION AND ADVANCEMENT

Over the years, I have used a number of different procedures for genioplasty procedures. I have watched my colleagues use various implant materials, but (I feel) luckily I have shied away from them. I have also avoided the use of metal bone screws and plates for these procedures as these have shown to cause long […]

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 […]