Archive for the ‘ Oral Surgery ’ Category

PEARLS OF WISDOM: TOPICAL FLUORIDE

Topical fluoride gel is available over-the-counter without a prescription at your pharmacy. We often use it with kids that are in orthodontic care to try to give some extra strengthening to the tooth structure and to rebuild tooth structure that might be adversely affected by debris on the teeth.

HAVING TECHNOLOGIES DOES NOT MAKE YOU AN EXPERT

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have always been the experts in providing surgical care for the oral and facial region. New technologies, such as cone beam scanning, are instruments that help us all to provide better care. So many individuals use these technologies, such as advanced instruments, medications, materials such as bone graft, dental and facial […]

KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT ORAL SURGERY

Removal of wisdom teeth and other oral surgical procedures can cause discomfort. It is very interesting to me that I find that a positive mental attitude on the part of parents, friends, spouses, and especially the patient can have a profound effect on how a given patient handles the stress of surgery and recovery.

TREATING PATIENTS ON BLOOD THINNERS

We are all living longer and in many cases living healthier lives into older age. Daily aspirin and the use of blood thinners have helped to improve and prolong life for many people. This seems to be especially true for patients who have undergone advanced surgical procedures, such as valve replacement and vessel repair which […]

SUPER GLUE!

It has been known for years that superglue can be used to repair wounds and is tolerated well by the body. It has also been used effectively in this way for facial incisions.

What Are Dry Sockets, and What Can You Expect?

Getting a tooth pulled or your wisdom taken out can be painful and downright embarrassing. You might not want to see friends for days, so that they won’t make fun of you for your puffy cheeks. You can’t eat, drink and have to sit in bed all day with the inability to take care of […]

Do I Need Corrective Jaw Surgery?

If you are one of those people who have misaligned teeth and jaws that create an improper bite, you are very well someone who could benefit greatly from having corrective jaw surgery. The growth of the human jaw is a gradual process and it is common for both the upper and lower jaws to occasionally […]

PRFG AND OSTEOPOROSIS TREATMENT

We have been using PRGF as an adjunct to bone grafting for about three years. This has been a great leap in the success of bone grafting during oral surgery. Bisphosphonates and related drugs are used in the treatment of post menopausal osteoporosis and some related bone diseases. They are also used intravenously as part […]

What are PRP and PRGF?

We use PRP (platelet rich plasma) as an oral surgery tool. It works as a graft extender and as an architecture for bone and tissue healing. (J Maxoillofac Surg 70:2191-2197, 2012) We started using this technology years ago, and it was certainly helpful in surgical sites. The article shows improved blood vessel in growth with […]

Cysts and Tumors of the Jawbones

Treatment of cysts and tumors of the jaws and facial skeleton (also called Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors) are a common part of my practice (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 70:2118-2123, 2013). When and Where we see Cysts and Tumors We see odontogenic cysts and tumors most commonly associated with impacted teeth such as third molars/wisdom teeth. […]