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The practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery requires up to 6 additional years
of hospital based surgical and anesthesia training. Our Studio City Dental Group
dentists are skilled at managing a wide variety of problems relating to the Mouth,
Teeth and Facial Regions. We practice a full scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,
with expertise ranging from Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery, Cosmetic Facial Surgery,
Corrective Jaw Surgery, and Wisdom Tooth Removal.
The Studio City Dental Oral Surgery Team is trained in assisting with IV sedation
and general anesthesia, within our JCAHO & AAAHC accredited, state of the art,
dental office setting. Patients are continuously monitored during and after surgery.
In addition, general anesthesia provided by a board certified Anesthesiologist is
available within our facility.
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Oral Surgery Procedures
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Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly
positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the
jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable
to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way
from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when:
- Wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter
around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general
illness can result.
- There is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth.
- A cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms, destroying surrounding structures such as bone
or tooth roots.
Patients should ask the dentist about the health and positioning of their wisdom
teeth. The dentist may make a recommendation for removal or send the patient to
an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
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Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing
missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels
very natural. Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants
fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges,
or a denture.
Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone. Integration of the implants
into your jaw helps your replacement teeth feel more natural. Some people find the
secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes.
Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support
the implant. A thorough evaluation by our burbank dentist dentist will help determine
whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
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After teeth are lost, the jawbone in the area begins to resorb or remodel. Over
a period of time, this bone loss can become severe, leaving an insufficient amount
of bone remaining to place dental implants. Through various bone grafting techniques,
bone can be added to these deficient areas, thus regenerating the bone which had
been lost. The two most common types of bone grafting procedures performed in the
office are called ‘a sinus lift', and ‘ridge augmentation'.
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Facial Reconstruction / Trauma -
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Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to treat a variety of injuries to
the mouth, face, and jaws. We are often called to the emergency room to evaluate
and treat facial injuries. Fractures (broken bones) can involve the lower jaw, upper
jaw, cheekbones, eye socket, and combinations of these bones. Treatments for these
injuries are frequently managed in the operating room.
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Oral pathology, also known in the United States of America as oral and maxillofacial
pathology, is the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature,
identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial
regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of
these diseases.
The practice of oral and maxillofacial pathology includes research, diagnosis of
diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations,
and in many instances, the management of patients.
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More than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some
common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking
or popping noises when opening the mouth, and neck and headaches.
Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth.
They work together when you chew, speak, and swallow. These structures include muscles
and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints,
the TMJ's.
The TM joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side
of the head, these joints work together and can make many different movements, including
a combination of rotating and translocational (gliding) action, used when chewing
and speaking.
Several muscles help open and close the mouth. They control the lower jaw (mandible)
as it moves forward, backward, and side-to-side. Both TM joints are involved in
these movements. Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket (see diagram).
The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and perform rotating
and translocational movements. Any problem that prevents this complex system of
muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones from working together properly may result in
a painful TMJ disorder.
Our Burbank dentists state the importance of the diagnosis step before treatment.
Part of your clinical examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness,
clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed,
so it is important to keep your dental office record up-to-date. Our Burbank dentists
may take x-rays and may make a “cast” of your teeth to see how your bite fits together.
We may also request specialized x-rays for the TM joints. Depending on your case,
we may refer you to a physician or another dentist that specializes in this area.
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Routine Tooth Extraction -
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In some instances, a tooth may need to be extracted. In these instances, our top
priority is your comfort and well-being. Our Burbank dentists take the utmost care
and use the latest techniques and instruments to make the entire process as comfortable
as possible. Often, seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups, as
well as brushing & flossing your teeth each day can prevent the loss of a tooth.
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