Intravenous sedation alleviates pain and ensures your maximum comfort during a planned dental procedure. Although you will remain conscious following I.V. sedation, you will experience a complete state of relaxation and will not feel pain. You will be carefully monitored throughout the procedure to ensure your safety. I.V. sedation is a good choice for patients who wish to Overcome their anxiety and fear of having surgery.
Dental Implants
For more information Go To: http://www.zimmerdental.com/info_aboutImplants.asp
Dental implants are an excellent solution to missing individual teeth. Not only do they eliminate gaps, but they also provide a comfortable fit and look completely natural. Unlike dental bridges, dental implants do not require that neighboring teeth be cut down to allow for crown placement. The end result is a strong, secure tooth that is virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. The surgeon will uncover the implants and attach small posts which will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts protrude though the gums. When the artificial teeth are placed these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.
The decision to have dental implants can be life-changing. Restored oral functioning, improved self-esteem, and an aesthetically appealing appearance are a few of the benefits to be gained from choosing dental implants.
Major and minor bone grafting
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.
We now have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.
Sinus Lift procedure
This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw.
Wisdom Teeth
By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your Third Molars, also known as "wisdom teeth." The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.!
Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.
Facial Trauma
Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high degree of emotional and physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training involving a hands on experience and an understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient's long term function and appearance.
There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma. Motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence and work related injuries. Types of facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bony injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves or the salivary glands).
Skeletal Jaw Surgery
How do I know if I need orthognathic surgery? Facial imbalances are often present and sometimes recognized by the untrained eye. People with large jaws, or chins, or small jaws or chins, teeth which don't fit together, eyeballs which appear bulging, and flat cheekbones are examples of facial characteristics that may be improved by orthognathic surgery. 
Sometimes the differences are so subtle that only a trained specialist can recognize them. The orthodontist or oral maxillofacial surgeon recognizes the need for surgical repositioning of segments of facial bones or teeth. An evaluation by such a specialist will often easily determine if you are a candidate for this type of surgery.
Will I have to have orthodontics? In most cases where the jaws are being moved, comprehensive orthodontic movement of the teeth may be necessary to prepare the teeth for optimal occlusion or biting positions. Following surgery there is often a short period of orthodontics for subtle and fine detailing of the tooth positions.
What is the surgery like? Some minor orthognathic surgery procedures can be done in the surgeon's office, but most often they are done in the hospital. Surgery usually lasts three to four hours during which time you will be completely asleep. While you are asleep, incisions are made on the inside of your mouth to expose the bones to be cut. The procedures are then carried out. Screws are used to hold the bones and the teeth are not usually wired together at all. The incisions are closed with sutures, and you are ready for recovery.
How long does recovery last? The length of recovery in the hospital may vary from one to three days following surgery. During the week following surgery, activities should be limited. All strenuous activities and heavy exercise should be avoided the first month after surgery. Swelling is common, and a brief period of facial discoloration is possible. Often orthognathic surgery is easier to recover from than the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth.
What if I don't have the surgery? Facial and dental imbalances have influences on function, health, and appearance. Not treating a functional problem may prevent you from being able to bite and chew your food, close your lips together, and to speak clearly. The health of the teeth, gums and particularly the jaw joint (TMJ) may be in jeopardy if surgery is not done. While not often a primary reason for orthognathic surgery, the appearance of your face may be made to look more balanced or normal. One's facial appearance can influence one's quality of life in many ways
