
Dental/Surgical Procedures
Dental implants are a revolutionary way to replace missing teeth. They are small titanium anchors that are surgically placed in the jawbone, acting as a secure foundation to support replacement teeth. Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, and can last a lifetime with proper care. If you're looking for a permanent solution to replace missing teeth, dental implants are an excellent choice. Our oral surgeon can help you determine if dental implants are the right choice for you.
The key to a successful and long-lasting dental implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached. If bone loss has occurred due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor and allow for new bone formation. A sinus lift is one of the most common bone grafting procedures for patients with bone loss in the upper jaw. The procedure seeks to grow bone in the floor of the maxillary sinus above the bony ridge of the gum line that anchors the teeth in the upper jaw. This enables dental implants to be placed and secured in the new bone growth.
An apicoectomy is a straightforward, minor surgical procedure that's done on children and adults as a way to save at-risk teeth and prevent potentially serious complications. An apicoectomy is also known as root end surgery. This is because it involves the removal of a tooth's root tip and surrounding tissue.
We work closely with your orthodontist/dentist to give you the best treatment plan that restores the function and form of the jaw. It can correct any misalignment or deformity of the jaw, as well as repair damage caused by trauma or disease. Our experienced oral surgeon will create a personalized plan to ensure you receive the best possible outcome. Not everyone needs jaw surgery and we can sometimes work with an orthodontist for other treatment plans.
Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee). Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. Large defects are repaired using the patient’s own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different sites depending on the size of the defect. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia), are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the cushion of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking or grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth wide.
Our clinic offers extractions, a common procedure used to remove impacted or decayed teeth, most commonly wisdom teeth. This procedure is designed to remove the tooth in the safest and least invasive way possible, ensuring minimal discomfort and fast recovery time. Dr. Igou is highly experienced and skilled in providing extractions, and is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable experience.
Additional Procedures
Hard/Soft Tissue Grafting
A hard tissue graft is used to restore bone height and stimulate the growth of new bone in patients who have lost teeth. A bone graft should be done following tooth loss or extraction to prevent atrophy in the remaining bone and in the gum tissue surrounding it. Soft tissue graft or gum graft is a straightforward surgical operation that will correct receding grafts. Your dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) will do so by removing a piece of soft tissue from the roof of your mouth or creating a flap that will cover the exposed portion of the tooth.
IV Sedation
We offer a variety of in-office anesthesia options for our patient’s comfort and convenience. Surgical patients, patients with high levels of anxiety, or patients with special needs may benefit from the use of anesthesia.
Pre-Prostethic Surgery
Some patients require minor oral surgical procedures before receiving a partial or complete denture, in order to ensure the maximum level of comfort. A denture sits on the bone ridge, so it is very important that the bone is the proper shape and size. If a tooth needs to be extracted, the underlying bone might be left sharp and uneven. For the best fit of a denture, the bone might need to be smoothed out or reshaped. Occasionally, excess bone would need to be removed prior to denture insertion.
Facial Trauma Repair
We specialize in the repair of facial fractures and lacerations due to trauma. We strive to restore your face to its normal appearance and function as quickly and safely as possible. Our goal is to make sure you recover with a positive outcome. There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence and work related injuries. Types of facial injuries can range from injuries of teeth to extremely severe injuries of the skin and bones of the face. Typically, facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves or the salivary glands).
Pathology (Oral Biopsy)
The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer. These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.
Sleep Apnea Management
Sleep apnea is a chronic medical condition that affects approximately 18 to 30 million people in the United States. Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty. However, sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Sleep apnea causes sufferers to stop breathing periodically throughout the night, often for up to a minute at a time. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. It also raises the risk for sudden death. Oral surgery can be used to treat this condition. Excess soft tissue is removed or remodeled in the area of the soft palate and throat to improve airflow to lungs.