At Mid-Michigan Oral Surgery, our doctors strive to care for all of your oral surgery needs. Our desire to offer our patients state-of-the-art maxillofacial surgery, with an emphasis on implant surgery and extractions, continues to remain strong after 45 years in mid-Michigan.
For your convenience, a complete list of our oral surgery services is provided below. If you have further questions about any of our services or a specific service not listed here, please contact one of our 3 offices.
Click on any of the links below to learn more:
Wisdom Teeth
While wisdom teeth can be a valuable asset to your mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned, problems may develop that require their removal. Our team of dentists will work with you to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. Wisdom teeth are the last molars ~ also called third molars ~ to develop on each side of your jaw. These teeth usually emerge in the back of your mouth between the ages of 16-20. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate your wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to erupt) or misaligned. Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way through the gum tissue, or remain trapped beneath the gums and bone. A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure, however every surgery is tailored to your specific needs. The surgeon will discuss the different types of anesthesia we utilize to help you establish a treatment plan that meets your needs and expectations.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a biocompatible, man-made substitute that replaces the missing roots of your tooth. A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you will see they have the same basic parts - both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food) and both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant. Once the implant heals, a new crown is fitted to the implant, thus restoring your dentition. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth. Contact our office today to determine if you are a good dental implant candidate.
Dental Extractions
Good oral hygiene should always be practiced, as the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Your dentist will use every measure prevent tooth loss, however even the best efforts can result in the need for an extraction. When this occurs, your dentist will refer you to our office, and we will establish a treatment plan best suited for you. We offer several options for anesthesia including local anesthetic, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and IV sedation, and our team will help you determine which option is most comfortable for you.
Bone Grafting
Despite it scary name, bone grafting surgery can solve numerous dental issues and help your mouth to feel, function, and look better. After a tooth extraction, if the walls of the walls of the socket are very thick, they will usually fill naturally with bone in 2-3 months. However, when the walls of your socket are very thin, this type of healing will not be as predictable. In these situations, a bone graft is often placed at the time of tooth extraction to help you body fill in the empty socket with bone. If your tooth was removed several years ago and your bony ridge is extremely thin, a bone graft can be placed next to the thin bone, which will eventually fuse to your pre-existing bone. Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure, and many bone grafting materials are available, including your own bone! Patients who have been unable to use dental implants due to bone recession — or notice loosening dentures due to bone loss — can now eliminate these obstacles with proper bone grafting treatment.
TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small hinge and gliding joint located in front of the ear that allows the lower jaw to move and function. Is is the most often used joint in your body and, like all joints it is subject to disease and injury. Diagnosing TMJ disorders can be complex and may require different diagnostic procedures, but it is important that your oral surgeon determines the cause of a TMJ problem because the cause guides the treatment. Some key reasons for TMJ symptoms include injury or trauma to the lower jaw or face, emotional stress accompanied by clenching and grinding of the teeth, misaligned teeth or jaws, arthritis, or dislocation of the cartilage disk. Our experts can diagnose and guide treatment, which may include bite splint therapy, physical therapy, stress management, or surgery.
Dental Exposures
In some cases, teeth do not erupt properly through the jawbone and gum tissue into the mouth. Impacted teeth may cause problems including bone loss, root resorption, or formation of cysts or tumors. Your orthodontist and oral surgeon can work together with a combination of braces and minor surgical procedures, including tooth exposure and bonding of an orthodontic bracket, to bring the tooth properly in alignment with the other teeth. By exposing these teeth, they can emerge properly and function properly to support chewing, talking and moving your jaw without pain and discomfort.
To learn more about our services please contact our office at 517.337.9759.