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Procedures

Wisdom Teeth
Dental Implant Surgery
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Biopsy
Orthognathic Surgery

Wisdom Teeth

These teeth are also known as your third molars and it is common for individuals to develop wisdom teeth by their mid-teens. The most common are impacted wisdom teeth, which are teeth that cannot erupt because they are blocked by gum tissue and bone. If they are not removed problems such as infections, damage to adjacent teeth, bone loss, cysts or tumors can occur.

The patient is first seen in our office for an evaluation at which time Dr. Angell will review the patient’s heath history, evaluate the wisdom teeth presence and position on an X-ray, do an oral examination, and discuss types of anesthesia to be used during the extraction procedure. Anesthesia is an important part of wisdom teeth removal. Patients will be offered either local anesthetic in conjunction with Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen sedation or I.V. Sedation. Dr. Angell is an expert at this procedure and will be able to answer any questions regarding the best anesthesia for your procedure.

This appointment takes between 20-30 minutes. Before leaving the office you will be given an estimate of the cost for your procedures and you will be able to schedule the surgical appointment with our technical staff. These surgical appointments are done in our office and last from 40 to 60 minutes.

Dental Implant Surgery

dental implant surgery Dental implants are an option for the patients that have permanent tooth loss due to disease or accident, have failure of the permanent tooth to develop properly, or currently have a tooth that needs to be removed and they are looking for replacement options. A dental implant begins with a screw or post that is implanted into the jawbone under the gums by Dr. Angell. He will work closely with your general dentist who will complete and place the crown portion to create a “natural” looking tooth.

The patient is first seen in the office for a 40-60 minute consultation usually on referral from their general dentist or, in some cases, an orthodontist. Dr. Angell will review the patient’s health history, evaluate the area in question for the implant on an X-ray, do an oral examination, and discuss whether the patient is a candidate for an implant. In some, but not all, cases the area in question may need a bone graft to help secure and integrate the implant into the jawbone. Anesthesia (see above) is also discussed. Dental implants are accomplished with multiple “staged” appointments and may take between 6 months from the first visit to the final placement of your crown by your general dentist. Dental implant is a specialty procedure and an optimal result cannot be rushed.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Temporomandibular Joint pain, or TMJ, is a common type of jaw pain. The pain is caused by the TM joint, which is located in front of your ear. Symptoms can include popping and clicking noises, difficulty chewing and inability to move your jaw easily and smoothly accompanied by pain in your jaw, head and neck. In severe cases, your joint may lock open or closed.

The patient is first seen in the office for a 40-60 minute consultation usually on referral from their general dentist, an orthodontist or, in some cases, their medical doctor. Dr, Angell will review the patient’s health history, evaluate the area in question on an X-ray, and do an oral examination. This evaluation will help Dr. Angell to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of TMJ disorder and possible causes. When you understand the anatomy involved in your TMJ disorder you can better understand your part in relieving your symptoms and help to set the stage for treatment. This treatment may begin with a conservative treatment, such as informed self-treatment options, prescriptions medications to help control pain and the muscle tightness, occlusal splint therapy (provided by your general dentist), psychological evaluation by a qualified practitioner, physical therapy, which may include relaxation techniques, biofeedback and electrical stimulation. In some severe cases, Dr. Angell will ask for a MRI study of the TMJ and surgery may be required to repair and restore your jaw joint.

It is important to diagnose and treat these problems early. We have a booklet available in our office and, if you contact us, we will be happy to mail one to you, or you can talk with your general dentist or medical doctor and, if they feel a referral is appropriate, we will be happy to schedule a consultation with Dr. Angell.

Biopsy

Smoking or smokeless tobacco causes most oral cancer cases and early detection is critical. That is another reason why regular visits with your general dentist are important. Not only will he/she check your teeth, but also will also check mouth, lip, gum tissues, and your tongue for any suspicious areas. Symptoms may include: red or white lumps, numbness of tongue, unexplained swelling or difficulty chewing or swallowing, or questionable areas seen on your X-ray that may warrant an evaluation with a qualified oral surgeon.

The patient is first seen in our office for a 20-30 minute evaluation at which time Dr. Angell will review the patient’s health history, do an oral examination of any suspicious areas, and talk with you regarding the best treatment options. If biopsy procedures are necessary, it may be accomplished right in our office or you may be referred to another specialist who may be better qualified to treat your problem. Not all the above symptoms will result in a cancer diagnosis but EARLY DETECTION is most important when treating any cancer.

Please Note:
If you do not have a general dentist, but have one or more of the above symptoms, please call our office and we will be happy to set up an evaluation for you.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is the reshaping of your face with orthodontics and corrective jaw surgery. Bones form the “framework” of your face and when your jaws do not meet correctly and your teeth don’t seem to fit together, you may have a bite problem. This may be the result of a growth pattern or a facial injury. These types of problems can cause difficulty in eating, speaking certain sounds, and may affect your sleep pattern. By working with a skilled orthognathic team, your orthodontist, and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you can have your teeth and the bones in your face moved to a balanced and functional position.

If you are interested in orthognathic surgery, you will first need to contact an orthodontist for a consultation. Once they have completed their preliminary evaluation, they will refer you to Dr. Angell to help complete the treatment plan.