Additional Procedures
Oral pathology
A healthy mouth is lined with a smooth, pink layer of skin known as "mucosa." If the color or texture of the inside of your mouth changes - suddenly or gradually - it could be a sign of something serious, and you should see an oral surgeon without delay.
If you notice the following in your mouth, it could be indicative of a developing pathological process or even cancer:
- Reddish or whitish patches in the mouth or on your tongue.
- A sore that won't heal.
These symptoms can occur on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gums, as well as the tongue. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and oral cancer usually comes on without warning.
The mouth can be of the body’s "early warning" systems, so please, do not ignore suspicious spots or sores. Contact Alliance Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery so we can address any questions or concerns, before it's too late.
Impacted Canines (eyeteeth)
When a dentist describes a tooth as "impacted," he or she is basically saying that it's "stuck" inside the jaw. Wisdom teeth, or the third molars, are the most common teeth to become impacted. When this happens, they can cause a myriad of problems. Since they aren't used for chewing, wisdom teeth should be removed.
The next most common tooth that becomes impacted is the maxillary cuspid - the upper canine, or "eye" tooth. These teeth are for biting and cutting food, and play a very important role in your dental bite. When you close your jaws, your canine teeth should be the first to touch.
The cuspid teeth are the next to last permanent teeth to erupt. The second molars are the last. The cuspids are the anterior tooth to erupt. This usually occurs around age 11. Just like musical chairs, the last one is left out - or in this case impacted. The surgery is done in conjunction with an orthodontist. The tooth is uncovered and a bracket with a chain is attached. The orthodontist then uses the chain to pull the tooth into place.
If your child has an impacted canine tooth, getting it back into proper alignment with the help of a our maxillofacial surgeon should be priority #1.
Pre-prosthetic surgery
If you're taking the big, but positive step to getting dentures, before you slip them on and smile, your oral surgeon needs to take a few steps to ensure that your mouth is ready to receive them comfortably. This is known as "pre-prosthetic" surgery.
Before partial or complete dentures are fitted, you may require oral surgery to ensure you are completely comfortable with your new teeth. Since dentures sit on the jaws, it's crucial that the jaw bone is properly shaped and of adequate size. If you have any natural teeth left that require extraction, the underlying bone might be sharp and uneven. Contouring, reshaping, or removal of excess bone may be required to ensure optimal fit of your dentures. Excess gum tissue or impacted teeth may also be removed during pre-prosthetic surgery.
Other Procedures