Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the medical and surgical specialty of dentistry. Residency programs are 4-6 years of intense training after dental school. Anesthesia and medicine are big parts of this training. Upwards of 12 months are spent on medical services as we function as primary care, anesthesiology, plastic/neuro/general surgery, and emergency medicine residents. The remainder of the program focuses on all areas of hospital and outpatient oral surgery.
We are equipped to deal with medically compromised or anxious patients using oral and intravenous anesthesia. Extensive preoperative evaluation is done to ensure proper treatment. You have health history review, vital signs, EKG, and physical exam prior to any treatment. We will discuss treatment plan and options to your satisfaction.
Dental implants have become a standard part of dental practice. Everyone wants to place them, but it’s not quite that simple. There are very few straightforward cases. When teeth disappear, the bone disappears. I have done over 8000 implants in the last 30 years and am still learning. We are now doing implant reconstructions that have less steps, are less traumatic, less time consuming, and less costly.
In addition, basic oral surgery procedures such as third molar removal are much less traumatic. Teeth can be disassembled without destroying the boney housing. The sites are grafted to enhance healing. One lower wisdom tooth removed the traditional way is more traumatic than all four the way we do it today.
I have a BSN nurse monitor my anesthesia, so I may concentrate on the surgical portion. Both my nurse and head assistant have years of experience working in the hospital emergency room. Patients are more complex medically. Treatments are similarly more intricate. You will have my undivided attention every step of the way. We would be happy to visit with you and discuss your oral surgery needs.
