Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Forney, TX

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to recognize and treat a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, and jaws. In addition to performing dental implant surgery, they also treat problems such as the extraction of wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, tumors, and cysts of the jaw and mouth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are also trained to administer anesthesia and deep sedation in an office setting.

To learn more about our high-quality, affordable oral & maxillofacial surgery in Forney, TX, please schedule an appointment with us and speak to Dr. Gibbins or Dr. Draper about any questions you may have. We will happily assist you!

What Is Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral & maxillofacial surgery is an operation performed by a highly trained, professional dental surgeon. There are a variety of maxillofacial procedures in Forney, TX, that can treat diseases, and correct facial injuries in your jaw, mouth, and face.

Oral & maxillofacial surgery procedures help reduce pain, fix esthetic issues, and restore function where necessary. Maxillofacial surgery in Forney, TX is performed to:

  • Relive pain
  • Improve jaw function
  • Diagnose chronic and dental pain
  • Place dental implants and dentures
  • Remove impacted teeth
  • Treat oral diseases
  • Bone grafting
  • Reconstruct your jaw to correct an abnormal bite
  • Treat TMJ disorders
  • Treat trauma injuries related to your face, jaw, and mouth 
  • Correct cleft lip and palate
  • Treat tumors, cysts, cancer, and other growths in your head and neck

Impacted Canines

An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck” and cannot erupt into function. Patients frequently develop problems with impacted third molar (wisdom) teeth. These teeth get “stuck” in the back of the jaw and can develop painful infections among a host of other problems (see Impacted Wisdom Teeth under Procedures). 

Since there is rarely a functional need for wisdom teeth, they are usually extracted. The maxillary cuspid (upper eyetooth) is the second most common tooth to become impacted. The cuspid tooth is a critical tooth in the dental arch and plays an important role in your “bite”. The cuspid teeth are very strong biting teeth and have the longest roots of any human teeth. They are designed to be the first teeth that touch when your jaws close together so they guide the rest of the teeth into the proper bite.

Normally, the maxillary cuspid teeth are the last of the “front” teeth to erupt into place. They usually come into place around age 13 and cause any space left between the upper front teeth to close tighter together. If a cuspid tooth gets impacted, every effort is made to get it to erupt into its proper position in the dental arch. 

The techniques involved to aid eruption can be applied to any impacted tooth in the upper or lower jaw, but most commonly they have been applied to the maxillary cuspid (upper eye) teeth. 60% of these impacted eyeteeth are located on the palatal (roof of the mouth) side of the dental arch. 

The remaining impacted eye teeth are found in the middle of the supporting bone but stuck in an elevated position above the roots of the adjacent teeth or out to the facial side of the dental arch.

Impacted Eyeteeth

Early recognition of impacted eyeteeth is the key to successful treatment. The older the patient, the more likely an impacted eyetooth will not erupt by nature’s forces alone even if the space is available for the tooth to fit in the dental arch. 

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a panorex screening x-ray, along with a dental examination, be performed on all dental patients at around the age of seven years to count the teeth and determine if there are problems with eruption of the adult teeth. 

It is important to determine whether all the adult teeth are present or are some adult teeth missing. Are there extra teeth present or unusual growths that are blocking the eruption of the eyetooth? Is there extreme crowding or too little space available causing an eruption problem with the eyetooth? This exam is usually performed by your general dentist or hygienist who will refer you to an orthodontist if a problem is identified. 

Treating such a problem may involve an orthodontist placing braces to open spaces to allow for proper eruption of the adult teeth. Treatment may also require referral to an oral surgeon for extraction of over-retained baby teeth and/or selected adult teeth that are blocking the eruption of the all-important eyeteeth. The oral surgeon will also need to remove any extra teeth (supernumerary teeth) or growths that are blocking the eruption of any of the adult teeth. 

If the eruption path is cleared and space is opened up by age 11-12, there is a good chance the impacted eyetooth will erupt with nature’s help alone. If the eyetooth is allowed to develop too much (age 13-14), the impacted eyetooth will not erupt by itself even with the space cleared for its eruption. 

If the patient is too old (over 40), there is a much higher chance the tooth will be fused in position. In these cases, the tooth will not budge despite all the efforts of the orthodontist and oral surgeon to erupt it into place. Sadly, the only option at this point is to extract the impacted tooth and consider an alternate treatment to replace it in the dental arch (crown on a dental implant or a fixed bridge).

What Happens If The Eyetooth Will Not Erupt When Proper Space Is Available?

In cases where the eyeteeth will not erupt spontaneously, the orthodontist and oral surgeon work together to get these unerupted eyeteeth to erupt. Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis but treatment will usually involve a combined effort between the orthodontist and the oral surgeon. 

The most common scenario will call for the orthodontist to place braces on the teeth (at least the upper arch). Space will be opened to allow the impacted tooth to be moved into its proper position in the dental arch. If the baby’s eyetooth has not fallen out already, it is usually left in place until the space for the adult eyetooth is ready. Once the space is ready, the orthodontist will refer the patient to the oral surgeon to have the impacted eyetooth exposed and bracketed.

In a simple surgical procedure performed in the surgeon’s office, the gum on top of the impacted tooth will be lifted to expose the hidden tooth underneath. If there is a baby tooth present, it will be removed at the same time. Once the tooth is exposed, the oral surgeon will bond an orthodontic bracket to the exposed tooth. 

The bracket will have a miniature gold chain attached to it. The oral surgeon will guide the chain back to the orthodontic arch wire where it will be temporarily attached. Sometimes the surgeon will leave the exposed impacted tooth completely uncovered by suturing the gum up high above the tooth or making a window in the gum covering the tooth (in selected cases located on the roof of the mouth). Most of the time, the gum will be returned to its original location and sutured back with only the chain remaining visible as it exits a small hole in the gum.

Shortly after surgery (one to 14 days), the patient will return to the orthodontist. A rubber band will be attached to the chain to put a light eruptive pulling force on the impacted tooth. This will begin the process of moving the tooth into its proper place in the dental arch. This is a carefully controlled, slow process that may take up to a full year to complete. Remember, the goal is to erupt the impacted tooth and not to extract it! 

Once the tooth is moved into the arch in its final position, the gum around it will be evaluated to make sure it is sufficiently strong and healthy to last for a lifetime of chewing and tooth brushing. 

In some circumstances, especially those where the tooth had to be moved a long distance, there may be some minor “gum surgery” required to add bulk to the gum tissue over the relocated tooth so it remains healthy during normal function. Your dentist or orthodontist here in Forney, TX, will explain this situation to you if it applies to your specific situation.

Exposure and Bracketing of an Impacted Cuspid

These basic principles can be adapted to apply to any impacted tooth in the mouth. It is not that uncommon for both of the maxillary cuspids to be impacted. In these cases, the space in the dental arch form will be prepared on both sides at once. When the orthodontist is ready, the surgeon will expose and bracket both teeth in the same visit so the patient only has to heal from surgery once. 

Because the anterior teeth (incisors and cuspids) and the bicuspid teeth are small and have single roots, they are easier to erupt if they get impacted than the posterior molar teeth. The molar teeth are much bigger and have multiple roots making them more difficult to move. The orthodontic maneuvers needed to manipulate an impacted molar tooth can be more complicated because of their location in the back of the dental arch.

Recent studies have revealed that with early identification of impacted eyeteeth (or any other impacted tooth other than wisdom teeth), treatment should be initiated at a younger age. Once the general dentist or hygienist identifies a potential eruption problem, the patient should be referred to the orthodontist for early evaluation. 

In some cases, the patient will be sent to the oral surgeon before braces are even applied to the teeth. As mentioned earlier, the surgeon will be asked to remove over-retained baby teeth and/or selected adult teeth. He will also remove any extra teeth or growths that are blocking the eruption of the developing adult teeth. Finally, he may be asked to simply expose an impacted eyetooth without attaching a bracket and chain to it. In reality, this is an easier surgical procedure to perform than having to expose and bracket the impacted tooth. 

This will encourage some eruptions to occur before the tooth becomes impacted (stuck). By the time the patient is at the proper age for the orthodontist to apply braces to the dental arch, the eyetooth will have erupted enough that the orthodontist can bond a bracket to it and move it into place without needing to force its eruption. In the long run, this saves time for the patient and means less time in braces (always a plus for any patient!).

What to Expect From Surgery To Expose & Bracket an Impacted Tooth?

The surgery to expose and bracket an impacted tooth is a very straightforward surgical procedure that is performed in the oral surgeon’s office. For most patients, it is performed using laughing gas and local anesthesia. 

In selected cases, it will be performed under IV sedation if the patient desires to be asleep, but this is generally not necessary for this procedure. The procedure is generally scheduled for 75 minutes if one tooth is being exposed and bracketed and 105 minutes if both sides require treatment. 

If the procedure only requires exposing the tooth with no bracketing, the time required will be shortened by about one-half. These issues will be discussed in detail at your preoperative consultation with your doctor. You can also refer to Preoperative Instructions under Surgical Instructions on this website for a review of any details.

You can expect a limited amount of bleeding from the surgical sites after surgery. Although there will be some discomfort after surgery at the surgical sites, most patients find Tylenol or Advil to be more than adequate to manage any pain they may have. Within two to three days after surgery, there is usually little need for any medication at all.

There may be some swelling from holding the lip up to visualize the surgical site; it can be minimized by applying ice packs to the lip in the afternoon after surgery. Bruising is not a common finding at all after these cases. A soft, bland diet is recommended at first, but you may resume your normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable chewing. It is advised that you avoid sharp food items like crackers and chips as they will irritate the surgical site if they jab the wound during initial healing.

Your doctor will see you seven to ten days after surgery to evaluate the healing process and make sure you are maintaining good oral hygiene. You should plan to see your orthodontist within one to 14 days to activate the eruption process by applying the proper rubber band to the chain on your tooth. As always your doctor is available at the office or can be beeped after hours if any problems should arise after surgery. Simply call Trinity Valley Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center if you have any questions.

Do I Need A Consultation for Treatment?

A consultation depends on the treatment that has been advised by your dentist here in Forney, TX. Simpler procedures like extractions can be done in one day. Complicated treatment plans will require a consultation beforehand.

How Long Will I Take To Recover?

For all of our patients in Forney, TX, recovery time is different. Depending on your treatment and the more rest you get, the quicker you’ll be able to resume your normal daily activities. 

Dr. Gibbins or Dr. Draper will recommend dietary restrictions for you to follow. This includes avoiding crunchy and chewy foods, rinsing your mouth after eating, and practicing good oral daily hygiene habits so that you can heal as fast as possible!

Oral Pathology

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral-pink. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer. The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathologic process or cancerous growth:

  • Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
  • A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
  • A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
  • Chronic sore throat or hoarseness, difficulty in chewing or swallowing

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.

We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly.  It’s important to remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we may help.

IV Sedation

During your initial consultation, we will begin with a comprehensive medical history designed to help recommend the safest and most effective anesthesia for your operation. Your anesthesia plan will involve a local anesthetic (numbing shots), likely combined with IV sedation. IV sedation is a safe and effective way to minimize anxiety and give you a great experience during oral surgery procedures. 

Dr. Draper and Dr. Gibbins are licensed in dentistry and medicine, along with being certified to administer sedation medication. All staff members at Trinity Valley Oral Surgery are trained and certified in BLS (Basic Life Support) and have years of experience in assisting with IV sedation procedures. 

If you have health issues, a medical clearance may be required by our surgeons before you can undergo anesthesia. Rest assured, you will always be in great hands with staff that truly cares about you and your safety.

Benefits & Advantages of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Having maxillofacial surgery here in Forney, TX allows you to experience a dramatic, positive enhancement of your ability to speak, as well as your facial appearance. It can also have positive effects on many other aspects of your daily life. The following issues can be corrected by Maxillofacial surgery:

  • Speech
  • Chewing
  • Headaches
  • Joint pain
  • Sleeping
  • Esthetic appearance

Start Your Smile Journey Today in Forney, TX

If you want to learn more about our high-quality, affordable oral & maxillofacial surgery, give us a call or schedule a consultation today! Our friendly staff will happily assist you. We look forward to meeting you and starting your smile journey together!