After a blow to the face, a fall, or a car accident, you may have a tough time determining the extent of your injuries. You may have severe pain, swelling, and bruising, but how can you be sure about the true depth of your injuries? How can you know whether your injury will require jaw surgery or a simple ice pack?
The truth is that the face, jaw, and mouth are comprised of several delicate bones that can be fractured or broken as the result of a traumatic incident. Even if the skin has not been broken, these types of injuries can lead to long- term damage unless they are properly diagnosed and treated. Of all specialists in the medical and dental fields, your oral surgeon will serve as your best resource in the evaluation and treatment of your facial injury.
An oral surgeon can offer a unique range of expertise regarding pain management, nerve and bone anatomy both inside and outside of the face or mouth, and cosmetic surgery experience. Under the care of such a specialist, you can feel confident that each aspect of your injury will be properly addressed.
Perhaps your injury occurred near the nose, cheek, or center of your face. The cheekbone, or zygoma, can be fractured or completely broken, and the appropriate treatment can vary widely. For example, a hairline fracture in the cheekbone may simply require time to heal. An ice pack and pain relievers may be recommended to manage pain and swelling as the fracture heals. However, your oral surgeon will need to perform a clinical exam with CT scan in order to confirm the depth and extent of the fracture.
A more complex fracture can cause the bone to separate into two or more pieces, and the damage can inch dangerously close to the orbit of the eye. A fracture will likely require that the bones be surgically repositioned and stabilized, and may also include cosmetic surgery.
After an injury, contact our skilled dual degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Steven Koos DDS, MD, as soon as possible for a professional evaluation.
Like all aspects of our lives, the process of tooth loss changes as we mature. After the age of 12, our teeth don’t just “fall out” anymore. In most cases, adult tooth loss occurs when a damaged or hopeless tooth is extracted by an oral surgeon. An abscessed tooth, fractured tooth, or unsuccessful root canal treated tooth may need to be removed, and there is generally a small window of time that is optimal in which patients should explore tooth replacement solutions.
For many years, the dental implant was (and still remains) the solution of choice in the loss of a natural tooth. However, as technology continues to advance, the method for placing an implant has become more sophisticated and less invasive than ever before. In fact, experts have found that an exact replica of a natural tooth can be designed and fabricated with extraordinary accuracy even before the tooth is extracted.
As an alternative to the conventional implant method which often requires an extraction, a healing period, and the implant post placement followed by another healing period, this same day replacement tooth has shown very promising results.
Days before removing the natural tooth, your oral surgeon can capture 3-D digital images and impressions of the tooth and the surrounding anatomy, records that will serve as a template or pattern for the new tooth. These records will then be forwarded to a cutting-edge laboratory in Berlin where a brand new tooth can be designed in just five days.
This ground-breaking procedure, known as the Replicate Nonsurgical Tooth Replacement System by Natural Dental Implants, has made the implant procedure more efficient and even less invasive than the already conservative conventional technique.
Implant dentistry is an evolving specialty, but the goal of modern tooth replacement has not changed at all; the ideal solution is one that can most closely mimic all of the qualities of the natural teeth without compromising our health, comfort, or appearance.
To find out what’s next in nonsurgical tooth replacement, contact Chicago’s premiere dental surgery clinic, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio. Call 312-328-9000 and schedule your informative consultation today.
For most patients, tooth loss doesn’t just happen overnight. More often, it is the result of a planned extraction due to a failed root canal treatment (RCT), a severely fractured tooth, deep tooth decay, or extensive gum disease. Fortunately, losing a tooth no longer means that you are destined destructive dental procedures like bridges or with additional tooth loss and an eventual life of dentures.
With the widely accepted use of dental implants, you can replace your natural teeth with an alternative that is virtually flawless in both function and appearance.
Of course, the rate at which you choose to replace your missing teeth can influence your restorative options. Should you elect to replace a tooth as soon as it is extracted, the bone at that location is typically substantial enough to support one or more dental implant posts. For patients who have not had the opportunity to replace teeth in such a timely manner, extensive bone loss can be expected to occur, in which case your oral surgeon may need to perform additional surgical grafting procedures in order to achieve long-term implant success.
For example, patients who have worn dentures for many years will generally undergo a rapid and widespread deterioration of the jawbone. Rather than traditional implants, the All-on-4 procedure may be more appropriate. Even where the density and quality of the bone has deteriorated, four precisely angled implant posts can be permanently inserted to serve as anchors for a full arch of teeth.
Ideally, dental implants should be surgically placed immediately or very soon after a tooth has been removed. However, it is nice to know that implant dentistry can be successfully performed even when the natural teeth have been missing for many years. This knowledge is especially comforting for patients who may have chosen a temporary or less satisfying tooth replacement, but are interested in upgrading to a more predictable and life-like solution.
Learn all about your implant options by contacting our dual degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Steven Koos DDS, MD, to schedule an appointment today.
Even though you may not be an oral surgeon, there are some dental surgery procedures that you are probably familiar with. For example, most patients have a general understanding of procedures such as wisdom teeth extraction. However, there are other procedures that may seem completely foreign to you until something goes wrong. That’s when you can depend upon the expert care of the best oral surgeon in Chicago for help.
Trauma or damage to the bones of the face can result in simple or complex fractures to a body part that you depend on every day, though you may not be familiar with its clinical name. The alveolar bone is the clinical name for the bone that holds your teeth in place. Although damage to this bone is not typically life threatening, the long-term consequences can be substantial if the injury is not properly managed.
When you have suffered a traumatic injury to the facial region, it is essential that you receive prompt and accurate treatment from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (this is their area of expertise), or run the risk of tooth loss and bone loss, which can present future problems in terms of restoring or rehabilitating your smile. The risk of permanent or long-term damage is understandable when you take into account the presence of the teeth, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that are located in this area.
If possible, taking steps to prevent alveolar bone fractures is always recommended. A professionally-fabricated mouthguard should be used during athletic events and seatbelts should be worn inside motor vehicles. Helmets are recommended when riding motorcycles, bikes, and all-terrain vehicles.
Unfortunately, facial injuries are not always preventable. A large percentage of fractures can be credited to altercations and accidental falls. Should you find yourself faced with such an injury, whether it is accidental or preventable, our oral surgeon can perform an emergency examination in order to assess the damage and render the dental surgery that will be most appropriate for your needs.
You can be assured that your surgical treatment will be performed in such a manner as to stabilize your immediate injury while also positioning you for the best possible cosmetic outcome.
For additional information, contact Chicago’s premiere dental surgery clinic, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, today.
Online PR News – 08-April-2013 –Chicago, IL – Dr. Steven Koos, an oral surgeon in Chicago, was recently featured in the cover story of the April 2013 issue of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Journal. The cover story, titled Operation Green – Implementing Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Practices In Your Surgery Center, showcases the environmentally responsible practices employed by the Chicago oral surgeon within his practice and ambulatory surgery center (ASC).
An ASC is a facility that provides same-day surgical care and offers a more convenient alternative to hospital-based outpatient procedures. Dr. Koos’ oral surgery practice in the Chicago Loop, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, is recognized as an ASC. Within his ASC, Dr. Koos performs oral and jaw surgery procedures, as well as dental implants in Chicago.
ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio was highlighted in the ASCA Journal article due to the fact that the ambulatory surgery center diverts about 7,500 pounds of refuse from landfills each year, conserves about 3,000 gallons of water annually, has created a patient care facility that is free from the effects of mercury, lead, PVC, latex, BPA, BFR and DEHP, and has substantially reduced its carbon footprint. As Dr. Koos explains in the article, this is achieved through practices such as the use of a paperless digital charting system, reusable clinical textiles, autoclavable alternatives to single-use plastic items, routine waste management and recycling procedures, standardized instrument kits, the use of an on-site biohazard waste processor, and by partnering with companies that repurpose the ASC’s medical waste into reusable products, such as those used for roads and bridges.
As the Chicago oral surgeon mentions in the article, “It’s our corporate social responsibility to do things the right way for our patients and the surrounding community.” Dr. Koos and his staff are continuously looking for ways to improve the “greenness” of their practice. As Dr. Koos explains, “protocol focused on social responsibility should be infused within the fabric of how every corporation is run, whether through the use of simple campaigns or complex initiatives.”
ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, as well as Dr. Koos, have received a number of awards for their environmentally responsible and sustainable medical practices in recent years. The practice has received the Greenest Business Award by the Alliance for a Greener South Loop Chicago, has been recognized by CleanMed as a Partner for Change with Distinction Award and with the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award, is the recipient of Green Health Care Program’s Gold Star Award, and is a Gold-Certified Charter Practice of the Eco-Dentistry Association.
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association is a national membership association that provides resources to assist ambulatory surgery centers in delivering high quality and cost effective services to their patients. The association also represents ambulatory surgery centers in connection with other organizations, insurance companies, government programs and the public, and provides advocacy services. The ASCA Journal is a monthly magazine published by the organization.
###
Chicago Loop oral surgeon, Dr. Steven Koos, and his practice ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, have been recognized by numerous organizations for their environmentally responsible medical and dental practices. Most recently, the Chicago oral surgery practice was featured in the cover article of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Journal, the organization’s monthly magazine. For more information about the green practices employed by Dr. Steven Koos and the staff at his Chicago Loop oral surgery practice, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, visithttp://orasurgery.com or call 312-328-9000.
When you are in search of a sedation dentist or a dental office that offers sedation dentistry, what you are really seeking is an opportunity to relax and de-stress during your treatment. In fact, millions of dental patients are finding that there is no need to grasp the armrests of the dental chair or fight through an anxiety attack just to have a wisdom tooth extracted or a dental implant placed.
Instead of suffering the consequences of your dental phobia, or to take the edge off during a more involved or lengthy surgical procedure, you may want to discuss your other options for sedation. But, with so many claims about the various forms of sedation and anesthesia, how can you be sure that you are requesting the appropriate form of sedation?
You should basically adhere to the recommendations of your oral surgeon because they deal with patients every day and also perform the procedures every day. This makes their suggestions the most trustworthy. With prescription medications that are administered orally (pills or liquid), a lowered level of consciousness can be achieved prior to the start of your dental treatment. Though you will still be able to breathe and maintain your physical movements, you may feel partly drowsy. This very light state of relaxation is known as oral conscious sedation.
Many patients appreciate this technique, but only for basic dental procedures like deep cleanings and fillings, because they are able to maintain normal body functioning but very little memory. Since the medications are taken by mouth, there is no need for intravenous (IV) solutions or breathing mechanisms. It is the least effective method though, and not adequate for oral surgery of any kind.
Walking into a surgical dental visit can be overwhelming. Though every effort has been taken to ensure your safety and comfort, the sights and sounds of the treatment room can be unsettling. When you would prefer to enjoy a brief and safe mental escape from the procedure, and when you are interested in worry-free or pain-free dentistry, you will appreciate the advantages of modern medicine. In particular, you will enjoy the easy and effective benefits of all forms of sedation dentistry.
Contact ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312-328-9000 to learn more about the advantages of orally-administered sedatives.
When your dental surgeon looks at your x-rays, there is more to see than just the wisdom teeth. The large cone beam CT scans capture a complete image of your teeth, jaws, sinuses, and jaw joints. They provide valuable information about your anatomy and they help your dental surgeon to identify anything that may be unhealthy or abnormal. Independent cysts, tumors, and infections are often detected in this manner, even when there are no noticeable symptoms. A number of these conditions have been grouped together and termed “Nonodontogenic”, which describes any pathology that is not directly related to the teeth.
Any lesions, cysts, or other abnormalities of the mouth, jaw, throat, or face must be carefully evaluated in order to determine if they present a risk for oral cancer or other health-related consequences. According to the diagnosis, the appropriate treatment will be rendered. Sometimes, though a lesion may be apparent on the x-ray, no treatment is recommended. Instead, the area will be documented in the patient chart and reevaluated periodically.
One example of such a lesion is the Stafne bone cyst. Named after the doctor who first identified the condition, the Stafne bone cyst is not really a true cyst at all. Instead, it is a developmental defect in the lower jaw that strongly resembles a cyst when viewed on an x-ray. On the x-ray, this defect appears to be round or oval-shaped with clearly defined borders and it is dark in color. It is found to reside beneath the inferior alveolar canal and represents a developmental indentation in the mandibular bone where a gland is positioned. It does not pose a health risk, and most patients are unaware that the condition exists.
For your safety, and because this condition mimics the visual appearance of a more harmful lesion, it’s up to your oral surgeon to differentiate and render a diagnosis. Once the lesion has been identified as a Stafne cyst, it should remain “static” or unchanging and no treatment is necessary, although the area will be monitored periodically with the help of advanced CT scans.
To learn more about various bone cysts and other dental conditions, which may or may not require oral surgery, contact our skilled and dedicated team of dental surgeons at Downtown Chicago’s premiere dental surgery clinic, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio. Call 312-328-9000 to schedule your personalized consultation today.
Although fractures of the upper jaw (maxilla) are not as common as lower jaw fractures, they are frequently seen when there has been a fracture to the nose or any portion of the center of the face. Since the upper jaw bone plays an important role in supporting the middle of the face, a fracture in this region can also affect the bones of the nose and eyes, as well as contribute to fractured teeth.
Depending upon the extent and the type of fracture, oral and maxillofacial surgery may be required in order to correct the damage. There are three common types of facial fractures:
A LeFort I fracture is a horizontal crack that separates part of the upper jaw bone and teeth from the rest of the facial bones.
A LeFort II fracture, sometimes referred to as a “pyramidal” fracture, includes the upper jaw as well as the nasal complex.
A LeFort III fracture, the most severe, describes fractured eye sockets and includes the bridge of the nose and is known as craniofacial separation.
The treatment for a fractured upper jaw often involves the realignment of the bones and also rigidly stabilizing them for the duration of the healing process. For more complex pan-facial fractures, the upper and lower jaws may be wired or bound together for additional support.
When the extent of the fracture is more complex, the upper jaw and the surrounding bones may need to be surgically repositioned and secured with small screws, pins, or metal plates. These metal appliances may be left in place temporarily or permanently, according to your oral surgeon’s recommendation.
The damage caused by a maxillary fracture can take several weeks or months to heal. During this time, most patients can expect to experience significant swelling and bruising. After the appropriate treatment has been performed, healing can begin to take place. Patients may be asked to adhere to a soft or liquid diet and refrain from strenuous activities in order to protect the surgical site.
To learn more about maxillofacial trauma and maxillary fractures, contact our dual degree oral and maxillofacial surgeons at ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio today.
Narrator: Although stereotypes linger, a trip to the oral and maxillofacial surgery office is no longer the stressful and painful experience older adults remember. Today’s modern oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide patients with a very comfortable surgical environment and appropriate anesthetic to ease their discomfort and anxiety. Most oral and maxillofacial surgery take place in the OMS office; utilizing minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
The surgeon’s intensive anesthesia training, lifelong learning through didactic and hands-on continuing education programs and their self-regulated office anesthesia evaluations assure that patients receive the safest, most effective anesthesia care available.
For millions of children, teens, and adults, orthodontic treatment is the ideal way to correct a long list of dental conditions. Conditions such as crowding, spacing, crossbite, and overbite can influence your ability to speak and chew. The position and appearance of your teeth can also impact your outward appearance, your facial profile, the fullness of your lips, as well as your self-confidence. It’s no secret that there’s a very strong connection between your physical appearance and the way that you feel about yourself.
If your orthodontist determines that braces are right for you, your treatment plan may include tooth extraction. Your treatment plan will be customized to meet specific goals and may require the removal of one or more teeth. This is best accomplished al at once at the oral surgeon with comfortable sedation. Although tooth removal is not always a part of the orthodontic process, it’s an option that can sometimes improve the final outcome of your treatment. Removing even a single tooth can create enough space to reposition the remaining teeth.
For some patients, primary (baby) teeth may need to be removed prior to having the braces placed. For other patients, one or more permanent teeth may need to be taken out.
Of course, there are varying philosophies on this subject, and each orthodontist must determine when or if tooth extraction is necessary for each patient. In fact, without a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation, it is impossible to predict which teeth (if any) will need to be removed. Once the determination has been made, your oral surgeon will become an important part of your team. Your orthodontist and your oral surgeon will work together, communicating on your behalf in order to provide you with the very best dental care possible.
If you have been informed that you should have teeth extracted prior to getting braces, find out more about the next step by contacting the office of Dr. Steven Koos DDS, MD, at 312-328-9000 today to schedule a consultation.
After a blow to the face, a fall, or a car accident, you may have a tough time determining the extent of your injuries. You may have severe pain, swelling, and bruising, but how can you be sure about the true depth of your injuries? How can you know whether your injury will require jaw surgery or a simple ice pack?
