Wagner Oral Surgeon & Dental Implant Specialists

 At Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists, we value the importance of a smooth and comfortable oral surgery experience. Because of this desire, we offer our patients anesthesia services. Here, providing the highest quality of anesthesia treatment is just as much of a priority as offering superior oral surgery. And in an effort to make your oral surgery experience as pleasant as possible, we have some tips about how you can prepare for and recovery from anesthesia.

Preparation

• Familiarity – researching anesthesia treatment is a key component of preparing for treatment. “Anesthesia is a way to control pain during a surgery or procedure by using medicine called anesthetics. It can help control your breathing, blood pressure, blood flow, and heart rate and rhythm,” reported WebMD. The side effects of this treatment also help with patient anxiety and discomfort, so this treatment should be a relaxing experience.

• Food & Drink – typically, we ask that patients eat lightly the day before surgery and not eat or drink anything after midnight. And, yes, this includes water. This is a standard precaution that’s taken for a patient’s own safety, so we ask for your complete cooperation.

• Mentality – the calmer you are, the more prepared you’ll be for oral surgery. Try to get as much rest as possible the night before a procedure. And if you’re feeling nervous, experiment with some self-soothing methods.

• Attire – we encourage clients to wear loose-fitting, layered clothing. For example, “Wear loose clothing such as a T-Shirt that will allow easy access for placement of monitors such as a blood pressure cuff.” Long layers are also great, because some patients report feeling chilly after their oral surgery. To keep you comfortable after your procedure, we will provide you with a blanket.

Recovery

• Designated Driver – after your oral surgery, you may be sleepy from the anesthesia, so it’s important that you have a designated driver. For good measure, provide your designated driver with all of your post-surgery treatment information. Doing so will allow this individual to help care for you after surgery. All of our post operative instructions are online and you can review them ahead of time.

• Medication & Rest – you’re likely to be prescribed medication after your oral surgery, so it’s important that you take it as prescribed and ask us if you have any questions. As you recover, it’s also important to take it easy and get some rest.

If you follow your pre and post-surgery instructions, you’re sure to have a smooth oral surgery experience. Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists  has lots of experience in anesthesia and surgical care, so you can rest assured that you’ll receive the best care possible. Need an oral surgery consultation? Call us today at (262) 634-4646 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wagner.

OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is a serious health condition that can be fixed with corrective jaw surgery. OSA is more complicated than excessive snoring. If it’s left untreated, this issue can cause major health complications. So, how do you know if your condition is serious or if you could benefit from corrective jaw surgery? Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists  has the details on who can benefit from a jaw surgery procedure and why it’s a good decision.

Identifying OSA

• Prolonged Periods of Delayed Breathing – mild sleep apnea conditions result in brief periods of delayed breathing. But more serious conditions like OSA, may cause dangerously long delays in breathing. “In severe cases, periods of not breathing may last for as long as 60 to 90 seconds and may recur up to 500 times a night,” reported a health expert. These breathing complications can put individuals suffering from this condition at risk for heart complications, stroke, increased blood pressure, and even depression.

• Drowsiness – people who suffer from this sleep disorder often experience excessive drowsiness throughout the day. “The cessation of breathing, or ‘apnea,’ brought about by these factors stimulates impulses from the brain to awaken the person just enough to restart the breathing process,” reported a medical expert. Because of this occurrence, getting adequate sleep can be a struggle.

• Cognitive Difficulties – trouble with focus, memory, and basic mental operations are also side effects of this disorder. Again, lack of sleep can be attributed to these mental lapses.

Fixing OSA with Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery, specifically (MMA) Maxillomandibular Advancement, is an excellent remedy for OSA. Throughout this procedure, the lower and upper jaws are surgically shifted forward, opening the previously obstructed airway. This jaw surgery changes the internal composition of your mouth, but patients considering this treatment should also be prepared for the changes in physical appearance that often accompany this treatment. Before undergoing jaw surgery, it’s essential that patients consult a jaw surgery specialist and decide if this is the best decision for them.

At Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists, we understand that corrective jaw surgery is a big decision. To ease the minds of our patients and offer them as much information about their procedure as possible, we offer our patients 3D models that show how the surgery will improve your condition and affect your facial structure. For more information about our jaw surgery procedures, call us today at (262) 634-4646.

Let’s face it, there’s more to a pretty smile than nice teeth. Healthy bones are an essential component in maintaining a camera-perfect smile. At Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists, we understand that not everyone has perfect oral health. Dental implants and bone grafting are excellent solutions for an imperfect smile. If you’re ready to make the bone grafting leap, we suggest you consider PRGF (Platelets Rich in Growth Factors). Wondering what makes this technology superior? We’ve got the scoop on how this new technology compares with other bone grafting methods.  

Why PRGF?

Bone grafting has come a long way in recent years. New technology like PRGF is revolutionizing bone grafting procedures. We’re dedicated to our patients, so we couldn’t be more excited about this newly available service. Here, we use bone grafting procedures to mend damaged bones before dental implant surgery. When a patient’s bone is either injured or unfit for dental implants, bone grafting allows our specialists to rebuild otherwise irreparable bone.

In the past, traditional bone grafting methods haven’t always allowed for bone to be placed in areas where it’s needed. However, cutting edge technology like PRGF has become available, resolving this issue. Now, hard-to-reach spaces can be accessed during bone grafting surgery. It gets better, though! PRGF offers a slew of other great benefits.  

PRGF Benefits

• Recovery – recovery from bone grafting surgery has never been better. PRGF allows for a quicker recovery than previous methods. So, what’s the driving factor behind this enhanced bone regeneration? “PRGF enhances bone regeneration due to its specific properties, some of which include its biocompatibility, biodegradability, easy preparation and manipulation, versatility, osteoinductive properties due to the growth factors released and osteoconductive properties due to the fibrin scaffold,” reported a source. Pretty impressive, right?

• Safety – attention patients, the bone grafting days of bone donors are gone! Because this procedure uses blood plasma from your own body, your risk of disease transmission is eliminated.

• Convenience – don’t rule out PRGF because you worry that it will be a long, complicated process. Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists refines your PRGF in our office throughout your procedure.

• Cost – we’re dedicated to providing you with the best quality of oral care possible. Our patients can rest assured that we always offer great service at a fair cost.

If you’re considering bone grafting, make sure to look into our new PRGF services.  Need an expert? Look no further than Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists! For more information on our bone grafting services, call (262) 634-4646 today.  

Even as you first approach our office, you will see that the building is a turn of the century Victorian building.  This originally was a farm house and part of a large estate.  We have maintained a lot of the original feeling of the home and recycled materials and construction elements to maintain the original flavor.  As you enter our practice, you will see this in the woodwork, decorating and design elements.

“We love our old farm house.” Dr. Wagner quips as he shows the repurposed woodwork and stained glass in the entry way and waiting room.  He is proud of the use of passive solar heating and natural light throughout the office.

We maintain a wonderful habitat with green space and trees around our building and there is a 2.5 acre preserve at the back of our lot which supports wonderful wildlife. “We have a wonderful assortment of birds that regularly visit our feeders and nest in our bird houses. It is a special joy to watch them.”  Dr. Wagner, his staff and their families as well have also been involved in community efforts to helping to support the environment and raise awareness for these issues.

April was National Facial Protection Month, but we’re dedicated to it all year! If you have a child that plays sports or you coach a sport, take some time to talk to your kids about protecting themselves against dental and facial injuries.

Experts have offered up these specific tips for children who play sports:

• Always wear a mouth-guard when playing contact sports. They are much less expensive than the cost to repair an injury.

• Helmets are another important piece of safety equipment. They absorb the energy of an impact and help prevent damage to the head.

• Use protective eye-wear. The eyes are very vulnerable to injury when participating in sports.

• A face shield can help prevent damage to the delicate bones around the eyes, nose and jaw. Objects such as hockey pucks, basketballs and racquetballs can cause severe damage to players of any age.

Back in 2012, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation said that more than 3 million teeth would be knocked out in youth sporting events that year. The NYSS Foundation also stated that any athlete that refuses to wear a mouth-guard are 60 times more likely to suffer from damage to their teeth.

The American Dental Association has teamed up with organizations such as the American Association of Orthodontists and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (among others) to sponsor National Facial Protection Month.

Team sports such as football, baseball, and hockey, as well as recreational sports such as rollerblading and biking offer some of the biggest risks for children and their face.

More than 67 percent of parents in 2009 admitted that their children don’t wear mouth-guards during organized sports.

This needs to change. Most sports don’t require children to wear mouth-guards  We request that you ask your child to wear mouth-guards to protect themselves from serious facial and dental injuries. They are inexpensive and are just as important as any other piece of equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads.

For more information on facial protection, visit the American Dental Association’s website.
For more tips on finding the right gear for your child, feel free to contact us at Wagner Oral Surgery on our website or by calling us at (262) 634-4646.

Researchers at the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Castellon, in collaboration with industry professionals, have created a new material prototype for new dental implant option for those with bone deficiencies.

It is common to lose bone in areas where teeth were previously removed. Poor bone quality or quantity can be caused by a number of diseases, including diabetes and cancers. Personal habits, such as smoking, may also play a part in bone deterioration. The current methods to remedy bone quality/quantity are done through bone grafting, sinus lifts, dental ridge augmentation, or soft tissue grafting. All of these are reliable and safe ways to reconstruct bones in order to be able to place dental implants. 

The present technology that we use to induce bone growth is PRGF. The prototype material from UJI, called Soldent, is essentially a coating that would be put on the implant before it was set in the jawbone. Upon making contact with bone, the coating dissolves which then creates compounds that aid in bone formation.

Soldent has already been through the first step of testing. Through live animal testing researchers were able to generate the current prototype that will move into clinical evaluation with the hopes of obtaining a marketable product in the next few years.

Ultimately, Soldent could serve as a replacement to the current grafting procedures in areas where bone need is  marginal. The problems of an altered bite line or spacing between teeth that can occur in bone deficient patients are expected to drop should this product hit the market. It also boasts a increased healing time so patients can return to normal life as quickly as possible. This technology is not expected to replace reconstructive treatments, but it may help to improve outcomes when bone quality or quantity is poor. 

Be sure to check back with Wagner Oral Surgery and Dental Implants regularly to stay up to date on the most recent developments in oral surgery and dental implant technology.

What would you do if you went to the dentist to get two or three teeth pulled, then woke up and realized that all of your teeth were pulled out?

Sounds like a nightmare, right?

It was a reality for a 21-year-old Indiana man who went to a dentist to get three painful teeth pulled. Unfortunately for some residents in Indianapolis, this has happened a few times. Watch the news story below:

It is important to pick the right dental and maxillofacial surgeon to properly and carefully remove teeth. Make sure you check out reviews online and to see if they are properly qualified to perform dental surgery.

So what happens from here? Fortunately for Christopher Crist, the patient, there are options. Dental implants are a wonderful option for any individual who has lost their teeth to gum disease, aging or accidents. 

Teeth are extremely important. They help from everything from giving you confidence to properly digest food. With dental implants, the patient is able to live a normal lifestyle.  Hundreds of thousands of people have benefited from dental implants around the world, from children to the elderly.

Here are the main benefits of dental implants:

• Preserved facial structure by virtually stopping the deterioration of the jaw

• Improved health with the ability to chew comfortably once again

• A mouth restored as closely as possible to its natural state

• Increased comfort by eliminating loose-fitting dentures and partials

• A more natural smile

• Improved appearance and self-confidence

If you are used to using dentures, you’ll see that there are many more benefits with dental implants plus you’ll be worry free of your dentures moving around in your mouth.

So if you or someone you know are looking for dental implants or for a dental surgeon to preform tooth removal, give Wagner Oral Surgery a call today at (262) 634-4646. We will be glad to discuss any of these procedures with you!

If a child or a loved one has just had an oral surgery, they may be looking to you for help with their recovery. Recovery not only takes time, but it also takes some work. It’s important to always follow post operative instructions provided by their dentist or surgeon. After the surgery, they could face risk of infection or trauma to the surgical area. Here are some general guidelines for leading someone to rapid recovering and optimum healing:

• Help Reduce Pain. Depending on the extent of the surgery, it’s likely pain medication was given to the patient. Make sure the medication instructions are followed carefully. They also need to always take any prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection. When taking care of someone, you can help by setting alarms for reminders of times to take medications and making sure they have water. This will also help ensure they don’t sleep through one and accidentally skip a dose.

• Advocate Rest & Milkshakes. A patient is going need at least 2 full days of rest. Physical activity is not recommended for 2-4 days, depending on the pain and severity of the surgery. Be sure they are comfortable and have plenty of books and movies so they aren’t tempted to push it. Besides milkshakes, it’s important a patient is also getting nutrients. Have other soft foods on hand such as rich broths and smoothies. It’s recommended that Vitamin C be taken leading up to the surgery and during recovery, so encouraging this will also be helpful.

• (Oral) Hygiene is Still Important. The patient will want to ask their surgeon or dentist for instructions, but typically they’ll want to brush gently and avoid any spitting. They need to rinse with water and let the water just fall out of their mouth. As their caregiver, you might want to provide them water at all times and a “spit cup”.

• No Smoking Allowed. Lastly, make sure your “patient” isn’t sneaking off for smoke breaks. Smoke can cause a painful dry socket and will delay healing. If a dry socket does occur, contact the dentist.

Taking care of someone can be a lot of work, but it’s likely a loved one will need you after a procedure. If any issues arise, contact the dentist or surgeon right away and be sure they are comfortable in the meantime.

If a child or a loved one has just had an oral surgery, they may be looking to you for help with their recovery. Recovery not only takes time, but it also takes some work. It’s important to always follow post operative instructions provided by their dentist or surgeon. After the surgery, they could face risk of infection or trauma to the surgical area. Here are some general guidelines for leading someone to rapid recovering and optimum healing:

• Help Reduce Pain. Depending on the extent of the surgery, it’s likely pain medication was given to the patient. Make sure the medication instructions are followed carefully. They also need to always take any prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection. When taking care of someone, you can help by setting alarms for reminders of times to take medications and making sure they have water. This will also help ensure they don’t sleep through one and accidentally skip a dose.

• Advocate Rest & Milkshakes. A patient is going need at least 2 full days of rest. Physical activity is not recommended for 2-4 days, depending on the pain and severity of the surgery. Be sure they are comfortable and have plenty of books and movies so they aren’t tempted to push it. Besides milkshakes, it’s important a patient is also getting nutrients. Have other soft foods on hand such as rich broths and smoothies. It’s recommended that Vitamin C be taken leading up to the surgery and during recovery, so encouraging this will also be helpful.

• (Oral) Hygiene is Still Important. The patient will want to ask their surgeon or dentist for instructions, but typically they’ll want to brush gently and avoid any spitting. They need to rinse with water and let the water just fall out of their mouth. As their caregiver, you might want to provide them water at all times and a “spit cup”.

• No Smoking Allowed. Lastly, make sure your “patient” isn’t sneaking off for smoke breaks. Smoke can cause a painful dry socket and will delay healing. If a dry socket does occur, contact the dentist.

Taking care of someone can be a lot of work, but it’s likely a loved one will need you after a procedure. If any issues arise, contact the dentist or surgeon right away and be sure they are comfortable in the meantime.

According to a recent study in the American Journal of Public Health, alcohol consumption causes approximately 20,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, especially oral cancer in men. Cancers of the mouth, esophagus and throat were commonly alcohol-related and the cause of death for men, resulting in about 6,000 total deaths annually.