Comprehensive Oral Surgery at McDonough Center for Family Dentistry

One of the most common procedures carried out by an oral surgeon is the successful removal of problematic teeth that, if left unattended, may cause a number of future dental issues for a patient. Most often, an extraction is performed when a tooth has shown signs of damage due to breakage, decay or infection. In addition, if a patient is unhappy with the aesthetic look of their teeth for any reason, they may be extracted and replaced with cosmetic dental implants to create a brighter, more beautiful smile.

This routine form of oral surgery can save you from disease and infection, and can also help improve your appearance with the help of excellent cosmetic dentistry. Best of all, the many sophisticated sedation dentistry options available to you at McDonough Center for Family Dentistry ensure a painless procedure.
To learn more about the procedures performed by our experienced oral surgeons, call our comprehensive practice at (678) 432-0209 or schedule an appointment with us online.

Between the ages of 17 and 25, your third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, develop and appear in your mouth. Wisdom teeth are the last of your teeth to develop, and they emerge during the appropriately-named “age of wisdom.”

Because wisdom teeth usually erupt last, there often isn’t enough room remaining in the mouth for them to fit easily. Without adequate space, problems with the wisdom teeth can occur. They may only partially erupt, come in sideways, or become impacted – meaning, they become confined in their socket, incapable of normal eruption. Because there is a great likelihood that significant problems will occur, oral surgeons often recommend teenagers and young adults have them removed.

Our in-house oral surgeon can make an assessment of a patient’s wisdom teeth by examining them visually and by using panoramic digital X-rays to determine the status of the teeth below the gum line in context with the surrounding teeth. If he determines that proper eruption is improbable, he will discuss treatment options with you, which may include oral surgery or traditional extraction.
Wisdom teeth removal doesn’t have to be inconvenient or uncomfortable. The out-patient procedure usually takes an hour or two, and we offer many sedation dentistry options to ensure that the process is as stress-free and painless as possible.

• How Serious is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
  Nine out of 10 people have had at least one impacted tooth, which is a tooth that is unable to break through the gums and appropriately join the rest of your teeth due to a lack of space.
  Oral surgeons recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth, as they may harm neighboring teeth or cause an infection. In general, the third molar area of the mouth, where wisdom teeth appear, is hard to reach while brushing, so it is a prime spot for bacteria to grow and potentially cause gum disease. In addition, these oral bacteria can travel from your mouth into your bloodstream, causing possible systemic infections that can lead to issues in your heart, kidneys or other vital organs. [1] [2] [3]
  There is good news, however. Research has shown that although persistent and/or progressive periodontal disease may be diagnosed and established in the third molar area, the issue may be alleviated through simple oral surgery or extraction of the problematic teeth. [4] [5] [6]
• Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed if They Haven’t Caused Problems?
  It is a common misconception that if you are not experiencing pain when your wisdom teeth are growing in, that you need not worry about their condition. However, even if you are pain-free and your third molars have erupted normally, you may still experience complications in the future. These teeth are especially prone to disease, according to research conducted by oral surgeons in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation.
  Conversely, if you beat the statistics and your wisdom teeth are completely erupted, painless, cavity-free and functioning in a hygienic environment of happy gums and healthy neighboring teeth, oral surgery or extraction may not be necessary. In any case, your dentist or oral surgeon should monitor the status of your wisdom teeth annually when you arrive for a check-up.
• When Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
  Most oral surgeons recommend patients have their wisdom teeth removed not long after they have erupted, usually during the late teen years. When a patient is younger, the roots to the wisdom teeth are not fully-developed, which makes it easier to extract a tooth or perform oral surgery. This is because the surrounding bone is softer and more malleable, lessening the chances of damage to nearby structures. However, when a patient ages, is it harder and more complicated to remove the wisdom teeth, as the roots of the teeth have fully developed, encompassing nerves and a harder bone structure, which can be damaged during extraction.
• What Happens During Surgery?
  If your dentist or another trusted healthcare professional recommends the extraction of your wisdom teeth, you will be referred to an oral surgeon. Before undergoing surgery, you and your oral surgeon will discuss the upcoming procedure, so take this time to express any concerns you might have or to ask questions. Be sure to tell your dentist of any known medications you may be taking or of any illnesses you may have.
  The position of each tooth, as well as each tooth’s current development, will determine how easy it is to remove your wisdom teeth. In the event that your wisdom tooth is impacted, oral surgery may be more difficult. Usually, when these teeth are removed, there is little to no pain due to local anesthesia, general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your oral surgeon will help determine the best anesthetic option for you.
• What Happens After Surgery?
  Some swelling and slight discomfort is normal shortly following surgery. In most cases, oral surgeons prescribe medication to alleviate pain and recommend cold compresses to help decrease swelling. Your oral surgeon may also recommend modifying your diet to liquid foods for a period of time, and you will be advised when it is appropriate to consume normal, solid foods again.
• What if I Decide to Keep my Wisdom Teeth?
  If, after discussing the condition of your wisdom teeth with your dentist or oral surgeon, you decide to forego extraction, you should be especially diligent in your dental hygiene routine of proper brushing and flossing in order to keep your third molars and the rest of your mouth healthy. Be sure to have your teeth regularly examined to monitor any changes.
  If you have any questions about wisdom teeth or oral surgery, call (678) 432-0209 to speak with the experts at McDonough Center for Family Dentistry or schedule an appointment online.

Dentists use dental implants to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or to anchor dentures. Dental implant surgery involves placing a tiny titanium post in the lower or upper jaw that will function as the root portion of a missing tooth. The titanium’s biocompatible properties will cause the implanted post to fuse with the jaw bone and create a sturdy anchor for a replacement tooth that will be placed later on.
As pioneers of the implementation of dental implants just 25 years ago, oral surgeons are still the leaders in executing the most up-to-date techniques to bring about the best results for patients. Your oral surgeon is specialized in the best practices to achieve the ultimate desired results through procedures such as the following:

• Immediate loading allows for extraction of teeth and the placement of implants with crowns in just one visit.
• Bone grafting is the process of moving bits of bone to affected areas where little to no bone exists due to injury or bone loss from aging. See below for more information.
• A sinus lift is a specific bone grafting operation that accommodates an inadequate upper jaw.If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, or would like to speak with an oral surgeon at McDonough Center for Family Dentistry, call (678) 432-0209 or contact us online.

To treat the effects of disfiguring gum disease, certain cancers, congenital conditions or other dental trauma, oral surgery is sometimes required. If the jaw bone has been weakened in a particular area, our in-house oral surgeon can perform a bone graft to strengthen weakened bone tissue and prepare the jaw for a successful dental implant. During the procedure, Dr. Shahriari will replace missing bone tissue and stimulate new bone tissue to grow, which will enable the jaw to successfully anchor a dental implant.

If you’re interested in learning more about this oral surgery procedure, call our comprehensive practice at (678) 432-0209 or schedule an appointment online to meet with an in-house oral surgeon. We’re located in McDonough, GA and serve the surrounding areas.

If you have any unusual bumps or lumps on your gums or on the soft tissue of your mouth, oral surgeons can determine if they are potentially cancerous. Oral tumors and cysts are usually painless lumps and bumps found in the mouth or on the gums filled with either fluid or tissue cells. Both have the potential to be cancerous, although oral tumors are more likely to be malignant than cysts.

If you are diagnosed with an oral tumor or cyst, the dentist will usually perform a biopsy, taking a small tissue sample for analysis. Your dentist will then determine if the cyst or tumor is malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) and will recommend the appropriate treatment. In some cases, the dentist will recommend oral surgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor or cyst if it may become cancerous in the future or if it has the potential to interfere with your teeth or bone structure.

Want to talk to an oral surgeon about cysts, oral tumors or any other dental issues? Call (678) 432-0209 or contact our practice online to schedule an appointment with our specialists.

The possibility of inadequate bone structure in the upper and/or lower jaws may be due to a number of factors, such as injury or trauma, long-term denture wear, aging or tumor surgery. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon can utilize the placement of bone grafts from your own bones or from bone substitutes in order to improve hard tissue. Through technological advancements in reconstructive surgery, a solid foundation will be provided to aid in normal functions like chewing and speaking, while the desired cosmetic result will be achieved through dental implants or other oral and facial prostheses.

Oro-facial pain, or discomfort in the mouth or the face, may be caused by infections, malocclusion, TMJ, tumors or nerve pathology. Your oral surgeon is fully-trained to treat each of these causes, through oral surgery or less invasive options, to eliminate your oro-facial pain.

Oral surgeons can assist in diagnosing and treating the pain and swelling in the face, neck or jaws associated with an infection, which can sometimes develop into a life-threatening emergency.

Abnormal growths in facial tissue can be identified by an oral surgeon using technologies that allow for extensive examination of the mouth. To get a full scope of the diagnosis, your oral surgeon may remove a sample of the affected tissue through a procedure called a biopsy.

Examples of oral pathologies include oral lesions (both benign and cancerous), infections (both local and systemic) and manifestations of systemic disorders. Early detection of these pathologies by your oral surgeon helps ensure a healthy and complete recovery.

In addition, oral cancer now affects a wide range of patients. Today, oral cancer is no longer just plaguing older patients with histories of tobacco and alcohol use. A growing number of patients in their 20s and 30s have been diagnosed with oral cancer due to the popular use of tobacco, including the smokeless type, and the rising cases of Human Papillomavirus, or HPV.

Oral surgery can successfully correct many uncomfortable or embarrassing oro-facial deformities. Differences in skeletal growth in the upper and lower jaws lead to difficulty in normal dental functions, such as chewing and swallowing, and also may affect patients psychologically due to aesthetic and social discomfort. Treatment from a highly-trained oral surgeon can effectively correct a patient’s bite, often leading to a better quality of life.

In the case of facial trauma, the patient will be treated by a team of medical personnel, including an oral surgeon. In the dental profession, oral surgeons specialize in oral surgery, or surgery to the mouth, face and jaws, and often repair these areas for patients in an emergency.

It’s important not to treat any facial injury lightly. All facial injuries are serious, though they may not seem to be a substantial reason to seek assistance. Facial injuries affect the way you breathe, eat, speak and see, so be sure to enlist the help of your oral surgeon to receive effective treatment and achieve the desired cosmetic result.

The most common type of facial injury is bone fracture in the lower or upper jaw, palate, eye sockets, cheekbones or a combination of these bones. Extensive facial breaks are usually accompanied by other medical problems, so rest assured that your oral surgeon will effectively collaborate with other doctors to ensure proper holistic treatment.

Facial fractures are often treated by aligning the parts of the bone during oral surgery, after which particular mechanisms are used to hold the bones in proper position long enough to heal. This typically takes six or more weeks, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the broken bone.

During the healing process, your oral surgeon will prescribe a liquid diet or a pureed diet to eliminate the need to chew while still maintaining nutritional upkeep. Upon discharge from the hospital, a patient will be given instructions to ensure a proper healing period.

You should always protect yourself by using the proper protective equipment when you’re in a car (wear your seatbelt!), playing a sport (use mouth guards and helmets!) or when partaking in any activity where you run the risk of injuring yourself.

If you play a sport, oral surgeons recommend wearing the following equipment:

• Football: Wear helmets with strong carbon steel wire face guards and mouth guards.
• Baseball: Catchers, wear a mask. When batting, a helmet with a clear molded plastic face guard is recommended; consider these helmets for fielding as well.
• Ice Hockey: Superior to the plastic molded facemasks worn by goalies are the cage-like face guards attached to their helmets. For extra protection, wear a hard plastic mouth guard secured with straps.
• Wrestling: Headgear is becoming a normal requirement for high school wrestlers. A chin cup secured by a strap holds the jaw in a comfortable place while preventing injury. Consider headgear with a mouth guard.
• Boxing: Mouth guards are mandatory in this sport. Manufacturers have developed a new pacifier-like mouth guard for boxers, designed with a thicker front, including air holes to aid breathing.
• Lacrosse: Wear a hard plastic helmet, much like baseball batting helmets, with a wire cage facemask.
• Field Hockey: Mouth guards come highly-recommended in this sport. Lacrosse helmets can provide extra protection for goalies.
• Soccer: Mouth guards are recommended. Goalies should wear a helmet.
• Biking: Lightweight helmets designed for bicycling are required. Research your state’s laws on helmet wear. Although it may not be illegal to ride without a helmet, it is highly-recommended in order to protect your head.
• Scooters and Skateboarders: Wear a lightweight bike helmet.
• Skiing and Snowboarding: Falls and crashes are common during this sport activity, so a lightweight helmet is advised.
• Horseback Riding: If jumping the horse or riding cross-country, a helmet and mouth guard will protect your face from injury in the event of an accident.
• Basketball, Water Polo, Handball, Rugby, Karate, Judo and Gymnastics: All participants should wear custom-fitted mouth guards.

Snoring is a common sleep habit affecting an estimated 30-50% percent of the U.S. population. To eliminate your habitual snoring habit, your doctor may suggest:

• Laser-Assisted Uyuloplasty, or LAUP, is a surgical procedure in which your oral surgeon uses local or general anesthesia to remove the uvula and any obstructive tissue in order to open the airway beyond the palate.
• Radio Frequency of the Soft Palate is a method that uses radio waves to reduce the size of the tissue in the throat or tongue. This increases the space in the throat and makes room for easy breathing.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, can be a life-threatening condition that should be brought to the attention of your doctor. Unlike simple snoring, the risks of an undiagnosed case of OSA include high blood pressure, a decreased libido, an irregular heartbeat and even heart disease, heart attack or stroke. To eliminate these risks, patients may require oral surgery or other treatments recommended by oral surgeons.

The disorder is associated with a period of cessation of breathing during sleep. During sleep, the upper airway may be obstructed by excess tissue, large tonsils and/or a large tongue. Other factors include the position of the airway muscles, the nasal passages and the position of the jaw.

While sleeping, when a person stops breathing, impulses from the brain wake the person enough to start breathing again. In severe cases, this vicious cycle can occur more than 500 times nightly, preventing normal breathing for 60 to 90 seconds each time, causing an onset of additional health problems.

Your doctor will recommend the treatment best for you depending on the severity of your OSA. Not every patient will require oral surgery – here are some less invasive treatments your doctor may suggest:

• Oral Appliances: A molded device that you place inside your mouth at night, the oral appliance will hold your lower jaw in place and bring the tongue forward to allow a passageway for effective breathing. Follow-up with your oral surgeon to ensure proper functioning and to track progress of the appliance.
• C-PAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or Bi-PAP: A C-PAP is a treatment suggested to those patients with moderate sleep apnea. Using a custom-fitted mask that would fit over your nose, a C-PAP pumps a prescribed flow of pressured air that prevents your airway or throat from collapsing. A Bi-PAP device is similar, but it blows two different pressures of air simultaneously.
  While C-PAP, Bi-PAP and oral appliances prevent snoring and interruptions in breathing, they only treat your condition and do not cure it. In some cases, patients do not accept the use of these devices. If you feel unable to use these devices, talk to your doctor before discontinuing use, and your oral surgeon will find another form of treatment for you.

If you suffer from OSA, you may benefit from oral surgery. Because every patient has a different facial structure, your oral surgeon will measure your airways to determine which surgical procedure is right for you:

• Uyulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP, is a surgery performed on patients who cannot tolerate the use of a C-PAP or Bi-PAP. Oral surgeons perform this procedure by removing the uvula and shortening the edge of the soft palate.
• Hyoid Suspension is the recommended procedure for patients who experience collapse in the tongue base. Named for the hyoid bone located slightly above the “Adam’s Apple,” this type of oral surgery simply secures the hyoid bone in order to stabilize the airway for effective breathing.
• Genioglossus Advancement, or GGA, is a treatment invented specifically for OSA patients in order to open their upper-breathing passage. During the operation, your oral surgeon will tighten the front-tongue tendon, which helps prevent blockage of the throat. This procedure usually accompanies one of the aforementioned oral surgeries (UPPP or hyoid suspension).
• Maxillomandibular Advancement, or MMA, is an operation some patients need to open up their air passageways. This type of oral surgery involves moving the jaws forward, creating a passage in the upper-airway.