Monthly Archives: December 2019

Facial surgeon in Richmond

See a Facial Surgeon for These Types of Fractures

If you suffer a facial fracture, you’ll need immediate treatment — and a facial surgeon is the professional of choice for expert care.

Fractures are complex injuries that frequently create issues with eating, speaking, breathing and seeing. To restore functionality and aesthetic appearance requires expertise in oral and maxillofacial surgery as well as facial reconstruction.

Facial surgeons have the necessary skill and knowledge to provide the highest level of care to patients with serious facial injuries. If you sustain any of the types of fractures listed below, seeing a highly experienced facial surgeon is in your best interests.

Facial surgeon in Richmond

Jawbone Fractures

In many cases, fractures to the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible) or both involve loose, damaged or knocked-out teeth. A fractured jawbone also commonly causes bite misalignment and jaw instability.

As treatment for jaw-related injuries may require maxillofacial surgery, tooth restoration and facial reconstruction, seeing a qualified surgeon with expertise in all these areas is essential.

Cheekbone Fractures

Also referred to as zygomatic bone injuries, cheekbone fractures can be easy to overlook, since they usually don’t create immediate problems with any vital functions. However, when left untreated, cheekbone injuries can trigger undesirable aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Immediate attention from an experienced facial surgeon can prevent this from happening, but surgeons can also expertly treat cheekbone fractures that have gone unnoticed.

Nasal Fractures

Not all nasal fractures require oral and maxillofacial surgery — many patients who suffer broken noses recover without any surgical intervention.

However, if a nasal fracture causes difficulty with breathing or the nose looks visibly off-center, a surgeon with experience treating facial injuries can provide the necessary care for easier breathing and a balanced appearance.

Orbital Fractures

As with broken noses, orbital fractures — or those affecting the bones in the eye socket — don’t always require oral and maxillofacial surgery. Most affect the thinner bone tissues at the bottom of the socket, and healing usually occurs without the need for surgical care.

But when an orbital fracture causes displacement of the eyeball, or if the post-injury symptoms include double vision, treatment from a well-qualified, board-certified surgeon is advisable.

If you’re ever in need of a highly experienced facial surgeon in the greater east central Indiana area, turn to the professional team at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Our board-certified surgeons have over a decade of experience treating complex facial injuries, and we employ advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technologies to ensure optimal results with minimal scarring. For the best possible care after a facial fracture, contact Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and schedule a facial surgeon consultation today.

Indiana implant dentistry

Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery for Dental Implants or Dentures

Are you planning to get dental implants or dentures? Pre-prosthetic oral surgery may be a necessary step in your treatment plan.

To many patients, pre-prosthetic surgery can sound a bit scary. But this is just a term oral surgeons use to describe any minor, in-office procedure performed to prepare the mouth for implant or permanent denture placement.

Indiana implant dentistry

When Pre-Prosthetic Surgery is Necessary

The goal of pre-prosthetic surgery is to ensure optimal results from a dental restoration. For stability, functionality and comfort, patients often need improvements to the jaw, teeth and oral tissues before getting dental implants or dentures.

Some patients don’t need any surgical preparation for stable, secure and comfortable replacement teeth. For anyone with dental irregularities, however, oral surgery may be essential — which is why patients who are interested in dental implant or denture placement should consult with an experienced oral surgeon.

Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery Procedures

As every patient has unique dental anatomy and jawbone development, oral surgeons must always take an individualized approach to surgery. A range of procedures may be necessary prior to dental implant or denture placement, including:

  • Tooth extraction or the removal of tooth remnants
  • Exposure of teeth that are impacted or stuck in the gums
  • Removal of diseased, damaged or excess gum tissues
  • Removal of bony protuberances in the alveolar ridge
  • Smoothing and reshaping of the jawbone
  • Bone grafting to increase jawbone density

These oral surgery procedures are usually completed under anesthesia — either oral sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or intravenous (IV) sedation — at the oral surgeon’s office.

Recovery from Pre-Prosthetic Oral Surgery

Different procedures come with different recovery times, so not all patients have the same post-surgical experience. That said, surgery to prepare for dental implants or dentures is generally minor — and for most, the recovery is no more challenging than it is for a routine tooth extraction.

The first few days after undergoing surgery, patients can expect mild discomfort and swelling. Ice packs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, typically work to manage the symptoms. But patients also need to avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours and only consume liquids and soft foods until the oral tissues are sufficiently healed.

Will you need surgical treatment before getting dental implants or dentures? An experienced oral surgeon can answer that question — and if you live in the greater east central Indiana area, the professional team at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has the skill, knowledge and expertise to offer practical advice on implant and denture placement.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation and find out if pre-prosthetic oral surgery is a must to get your mouth ready for dental implants or dentures, contact us today.