Jason came to our office looking for help to correct his large under bite. As a child he had Herpetic Encephalitis and as a result, his midface did not develop properly.
He has an identical twin brother that does not have this problem and Jason simply wanted to look like his twin.
He underwent about a year of orthodontic treatment to get ready for the surgery. While an orthodontist can move teeth in the jaw bone, if the bones are not in their proper position, moving teeth alone cannot correct the bite and facial disharmony.
Jason underwent a procedure called Orthognathic surgery. Ortho means straight and Gnathic means related to jaws. So essentially orthognathic means straight jaws. The particular procedure was Le Fort I Osteotomy.
Through a very delicate procedure, the upper jaw is separated from the midface and base of the skull, and then moved forward into its proper position. It is then stabilized with plates and screws to its new position. The entire procedure is about two hours and usually does not require an overnight stay at the hospital. There is also no need for the jaws being wired together as it was done years ago and the recovery is usually about 3-5 days.
While there will be a need for some final orthodontic tweaking after about a month, the results are very dramatic with significant changes is facial appearance and function.
And the changes are not only limited to the facial appearance as a significant percentage of patients report improvement in their quality of life.
As you can see, Jason is very happy with the results and finally looks exactly like his twin brother!
Filed under Before & After, Oral Surgery by admin
Unfortunately, impacted wisdom teeth don’t always come with clear cut signs or symptoms so diagnosing them is not really a task easily accomplished at home. While the majority of adults will have wisdom teeth that should be removed, you want to consult with your oral surgeon to find out if and when they should be removed.
They are typically easier when removed sometime between the ages of 17-21, although this varies.
Now, while impacted wisdom teeth don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, when an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages other teeth around them or causes other dental problems, you could experience anyone of the following signs:
- Pain in the back of the jaws
- Red or swollen gums in the back of the jaws
- Tender or bleeding gums around the molars
- Facial swelling around the jaw
- Bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Radiating pain to the temples and head
Again, these aren’t exactly clear signs of impacted wisdom teeth because they could also be associated with a number of other maladies, but if you’re experiencing any of the above, it should certainly be an indication that you should meet with your general dentist or oral surgeon.
The best way to avoid these issues is to maintain good oral hygiene by following a good program of regular brushing and flossing and by visiting your general dentist every six months as recommended.
If you are visiting your dentist every six months, they’re most likely doing regular dental X-rays which will help them spot any problems that might be upcoming, including impacted wisdom teeth.
Filed under Oral Surgeon, Wisdom Teeth Removal by admin
Here’s another unedited testimonial from one of our valued patients:
For more information or to schedule an appointment call Dr. Marashi at (704) 542-9600 today.
Filed under Oral Surgeon, Testimonials, Videos by admin
In dental terminology, an “impacted” wisdom tooth refers to a 3rd molar tooth that has failed to emerge fully into its expected position in the very back of the mouth. This failure to erupt properly into its expected position could occur for various reasons.
First, it could occur because there just isn’t enough room in the person’s jaw to accommodate the tooth. It could also occur because the tooth’s path could be obstructed by other teeth or possibly because the angle at which the tooth is erupting is incorrect.
According to studies that evaluate the rate of impacted wisdom teeth for those ages 17 to 30 years, the likelihood of having at least one impacted third molar is somewhere between 65 to 72%. As you can see, this is an incredibly high number of incidents, which is further argument for the importance of having your wisdom teeth removed.
To learn more about the various options for having your impacted wisdom teeth removed in a safe, caring atmosphere contact our office directly at (704) 542-9600.
Filed under Oral Surgeon, Wisdom Teeth Removal by admin
Here’s another testimonial from a satisfied patient of South Charlotte Oral & Facial Surgery:
* We value the privacy of our patients and this video is shared with the patients full consent.
Filed under Oral Surgery by admin
