Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

2/26/2013

What is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?

Simply put, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental surgeon. They specialize in treating conditions, defects, injuries and esthetic issues of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Their education and training gives them the unique understanding and deft expertise to assist patients with chronic problems, pain or sudden trauma. At Reno Oral Surgery, you can count on Dr. Daniel Muff and his team to deliver a high level of expertise, professionalism and service.

Reno Oral Surgery

Not every dental procedure requires surgery, but when you need the specialized care of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you want the best. Dr. Daniel Muff and his staff are dedicated to delivering you the best possible care, whatever procedure you need. Dr. Muff offers a variety of services, beginning with a one-on-one consultation to assess your needs. Some of the services provided by Reno Oral Surgery include:

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have other questions about Reno Oral Surgery or services provided by Dr. Daniel Muff.

For more information about oral and maxillofacial surgeons, visit The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website.

Tooth Removal

2/21/2013

There are a lot of reasons you may need a tooth removed. Injury, Infection and overcrowding are just some of the reasons you might need tooth extraction from an oral surgeon. Often, a tooth extraction can take place at the oral and maxillofacial surgeon's office. Dr. Daniel Muff will be able recommend and administer the best anesthesia option for you, whether that is general anesthesia, intravenous sedation or a local anesthetic.

What to Expect:

In a tooth extraction or removal, after care is extremely important. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has this to say about a post-extraction experience:

Following surgery, you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort, which are part of the normal healing process. Cold compresses may help decrease the swelling, and medication prescribed by your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon can help manage the discomfort. You may be instructed to modify your diet following surgery and later progress to more normal foods.

Contact us to schedule a consultation and discover your tooth extraction options.

Dentures, Denture Preparation

2/21/2013

When getting fitted for dentures, it's important to make sure they are seated properly. A proper fit ensures that partial or complete dentures will be comfortable. Denture preparation can simply include taking molds of the gumline, but it is not uncommon to need a small surgical procedure. These could include:

Bone reshaping
Excess gum tissue removal
Excess bone removal
Tooth extraction
Bone reduction

If you need dentures or just want a better fit, contact Reno Oral Surgery for a denture preparation consultation today!

Dental Implants

2/21/2013

Dental implants are tooth replacements. More durable and attractive than dentures or fixed bridges, dental implants are surgically placed within the gum line and jaw bone. Dentures can contribute to continued jaw bone loss and bridges often requires reshaping or toherwise cutting down perfectly healthy teeth. Dental implants are a superior solution for a number of reasons.

What to Expect:

Taken from the AAOMS website:
A dental implant designed to replace a single tooth is composed of three parts: the titanium implant that fuses with the jawbone; the abutment, which fits over the portion of the implant that protrudes from the gum line; and the crown, which is created by a prosthodontist or restorative dentist and fitted onto the abutment for a natural appearance...

...If you are missing several teeth in the same area of your mouth, you may still enjoy the confidence and lifestyle benefits that come with dental implants. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will place two or more dental implants, depending on the number of teeth that are missing. Your replacement teeth will be attached to the implants to allow excellent function and prevent bone loss. The implants will serve as a stable support that tightly locks into your replacement teeth and dentures to prevent slipping and bone loss.

With an overall success rate of about 95% and almost 50 years of clinical research to back them up, dental implants are frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth.

Face, Jaw, Dental Injury

2/21/2013

Facial trauma, as in when the bones of the face or jaw are broken, is extremely serious. Face, jaw and dental injury occur most commonly around sports, but can also happen in automobile accidents, simple falls or workplace mishaps. These fractures can include:

Lower Jaw
Upper Jaw
Palate
Cheekbones
Eye Sockets

While oral and maxillofacial surgeons can treat these fractures, the best treatment is prevention. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS):

The principles for treating facial fractures are the same as for a broken arm or leg. The parts of the bone must be lined up (reduced) and held in position long enough to permit them time to heal. This may require six or more weeks depending on the patient's age and the fracture's complexity....Because avoiding injury is always best, oral and maxillofacial surgeons advocate the use of automobile seat belts, protective mouth guards, and appropriate masks and helmets for everyone who participates in athletic pursuits at any level. You don't have to play at the professional level to sustain a serious head injury. New innovations in helmet and mouth and face guard technology have made these devices comfortable to wear and very effective in protecting the vulnerable maxillofacial area. Make sure your family is well-protected.

A more complete list of safety equipment can be found here.

Jaw Joint Problems - TMJ

2/21/2013

Jaw joint problems are often related to the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, as it is commonly called. This small joint allows the lower jaw to move and function. It is located near the base of the ear, where the skull and lower jaw meet. Common symptoms of TMJ problems include:

Popping, clicking or grinding sounds
Earaches
Headaches
Limited jaw mobility
Discomfort or pain when moving jaw

What to Expect:

TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include short-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and muscle relaxation, bite plate or splint therapy, and even stress management counseling.

Generally, if non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or if there is clear joint damage, surgery may be indicated. Surgery can involve either arthroscopy (the method identical to the orthopaedic procedures used to inspect and treat larger joints such as the knee) or repair of damaged tissue by a direct surgical approach.

Once TMJ disorders are correctly diagnosed, appropriate treatment can be provided.
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)

Oral Lesions, Jaw Lesions

2/21/2013

Oral lesions or mouth ulcers that can arise from infection or inflammation are often easily treated with medication or time. However, oral lesions can also be a precursor or indicator of cancer. Often these pre-cancerous lesions will need to be biopsied, extracted or treated with lasers. Oral and jaw lesions can also lead to further infections. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) recommend mothly examinations:

When performing an oral cancer self-examination, look for the following:

white patches of the oral tissues — leukoplakia (figure a)
red patches — erythroplakia
red and white patches — erythroleukoplakia (figure b)
a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
an abnormal lump or thickening of the tissues of the mouth (figures c and d)
chronic sore throat or hoarseness
difficulty in chewing or swallowing
a mass or lump in the neck (figure e)

See your oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you have any of these signs. If the oral and maxillofacial surgeon agrees that something looks suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended.

If you see any of these signs or are worried about oral lesions, don't hesitate to contact Reno Oral Surgery for a consultation.

Jaw Misalignment

2/21/2013

While simple procedures and treatments can be utilized to correct some bite or tooth misalignment, jaw misalignment is somewhat more serious and will usually require surgery.This jaw misalignment may be the result of injuries, birth defects or the upper and lower jaws growing at different rates. Corrective surgery can be used to treat jaw misalignment - a consultation with Dr. Daniel Muff at Reno Oral Surgery should determine whether or not you are a candidate for jaw misalignment surgery.

From the AAOMS website:

Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery:

difficulty chewing, or biting food
difficulty swallowing
chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
excessive wear of the teeth
open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
unbalanced facial appearance from the front, or side
facial injury or birth defects
receding chin
protruding jaw
inability to make the lips meet without straining
chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring)

Wisdom Tooth Removal: Extraction

11/19/2012

Often, when our wisdom teeth come in, there is simply not enough room and they become impacted. Impacted teeth are not able to fully enter the mouth or break through the gums. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause crowding, tooth misalignment or infection.
Wisdom tooth extraction is usually recommended when there are:

infections and/or periodontal disease;
cavities that cannot be restored;
pathologies such as cysts, and tumors, and
damage to neighboring teeth.

What to Expect:

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) :

If your dentist or healthcare professional recommends that your wisdom teeth be removed, you will most likely be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the procedure. Before surgery, your oral surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and tell you what to expect. This is a good time to ask questions. Also talk to your surgeon about any concerns you have. Be sure to let your doctor know about any illness you have and medications you are taking.

There are several conditions that affect how easy it will be to remove a wisdom tooth. These conditions include how the tooth is positioned and the stage of root development. If the wisdom teeth are impacted the surgery might be more complicated.

Most of the time third molars can be removed with little or no pain. Usually they can be extracted at the oral and maxillofacial surgery office. Patients are given either local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the anesthetic option that is right for you.

Contact us to schedule a consultation for a wisdom tooth extraction procedure.

Reno Oral Surgery

609 Sierra Rose Drive, Suite 1
Reno, NV 89511
Phone: (775) 825-4777
Fax: (775) 825-4761

This information provided is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is provided to prepare you to communicate effectively with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Always seek the advice of your dental healthcare provider or oral and maxillofacial surgeon regarding any oral health concerns.

Reno Oral Surgery
Wisdom Teeth
Dental Implants

Dental
Dentures
Extraction
Face Injury
Jaw Injury

Jaw Joint
Jaw Lesion
Jaw Misalignment
Oral Lesion
Oral Surgery Services

Reno Oral Surgeon
TMJ
Tooth Removal
Tooth Replacement
Wisdom Tooth Removal

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