Hunterdon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Specialist

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, our skilled dental professionals will assess the development and positions of your wisdom teeth to determine if they are currently creating problems or will pose issues down the road.

When most people think of wisdom teeth, they think of teeth that have to be removed. But some may not know the reason why they are so commonly removed: it’s because 32 is sometimes a crowd! Wisdom teeth are the last four teeth to erupt within the mouth. And, due to evolutionary changes to the size of the human jaw, there just isn’t always room for all the third molars.

While there are individuals who have sufficient space in their jaws for the wisdom teeth to erupt and align properly, that’s not always the case. Sometimes the wisdom teeth are impacted and growing sideways or only partially emerged from the gum.

Depending upon the location and position of the impacted wisdom teeth, a multitude of problems can ensue, including:

• Pain
• Infection
• Cysts
• Tumors
• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Gum disease
• Extensive tooth decay

If it’s determined that any problematic wisdom teeth need to be extracted, you can count on us to provide the skilled and experienced care to restore your oral health. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon routinely performs extraction procedures and offers several options in dental sedation as needed to maximizes your comfort.

Committed to excellence in oral care

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our practice and the many services we provide, give our office a call today.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we specialize in addressing all types of dental surgical needs as well as treating any pathology or trauma affecting the orofacial area. From corrective jaw surgery to bone graft procedures and sinus lifts, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon is experienced in providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it’s a good idea to consult with our office. With years of advanced specialty training, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon is well versed in the complex relationship between airway function and oral anatomy.

As everyone knows, a full night of uninterrupted sleep is vital to one’s overall health and well-being. If your loud snoring is keeping everyone in your household awake, or if you’re not getting the restful night’s sleep you require, obstructive sleep apnea may be to blame. According to statistics, obstructive sleep apnea is a widespread condition that affects approximately 25 million adults throughout the United States. In addition to the intermittent blockage of airflow and breathing cessation, those who suffer with sleep apnea can also experience abrupt awakenings and episodes of gasping for air. Because sleep apnea interrupts the normal sleep cycle, sufferers tend to experience daytime symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating. Unfortunately, these symptoms can have dangerous consequences that may result in accidents as well as become contributing factors in the development of serious illnesses. As a skilled specialist our oral and maxillofacial surgeon is well equipped to treat sleep apnea, and can prescribe a custom fabricated oral appliance or other modes of care to alleviate the symptoms of this condition.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

Missing teeth can do more than create unsightly gaps in your smile. They can also make you look older as the surrounding dental bone gradually resorbs without teeth to provide ongoing stimulation. Fortunately a procedure known as bone grafting can help restore the shape of your smile! At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists we’re well equipped to perform the most advanced and effective bone grafting procedures. In addition to rebuilding areas of hard tissue deficits with bone grafting procedures, we provide a full range of services to treat dental or facial trauma, perform biopsies, manage oral pathology or infections, carry out simple or complex extractions, and place dental implants. We are also well equipped to provide a number of other essential oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.

Why see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a bone graft?

In the hands of a skilled and experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, dental bone can be restored to its original dimensions to support your natural facial contours and repair the damage caused by gum disease, oral trauma, or extractions. Bone grafting procedures are often recommended to facilitate the successful placement of dental implants.

While dental implants demonstrate a long-term success rate of well over 95%, their longevity and stability rely in large part upon the presence of adequate bone support. In our office, we can perform a bone graft at the time of a tooth extraction to preserve the volume needed for the eventual placement of dental implants, or do a bone grafting procedure in areas where teeth had been previously extracted to rebuild a supportive amount of bone. In cases where bone height for a dental implant to replace an upper back tooth is insufficient, we may recommend a procedure known as a “sinus lift.” During this surgical procedure, the maxillary sinus membrane is lifted and bone graft material is added between the jaw and the floor of the sinus to provide the needed depth to successfully support a dental implant.

In addition to bone grafting for purposes of ridge preservation or augmentation to allow for the placement of dental implants, we can also perform what are known as pre-prosthetic surgical procedures to create the ideal support and tissue contours for patients who require fixed bridgework or dentures.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we specialize in addressing many complex dental issues that require skilled surgical intervention such as apicectomies, facial trauma, bone grafts, complex extractions, orthognathic surgery and more. Our office is well aware that the prospect of certain procedures, especially ones that are surgical in nature, can leave patients feeling anxious and fearful. To address this apprehension and make each visit a more comfortable experience, we offer a range of options in dental sedation. It’s because oral and maxillofacial surgeons have years of advanced training and are qualified in offering multiple levels of sedation, that they are able to provide surgical care that is more comfortable and stress free.

Depending on your unique needs and level of apprehension, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will determine the form of sedation that is most suitable for your treatment. Types of sedation commonly used for dental procedures include nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or IV sedation, which is an option typically offered in cases where extensive work is required or a high level of anxiety is present. We will carefully examine your medical records, taking into account any existing health conditions prior to prescribing sedation. You can trust that we will cautiously monitor the dosage and effects of your sedation, always prioritizing your safety and overall health.

A commonly used sedation option is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a gas that can be inhaled through the nose during treatment and acts almost immediately. As a safe, effective, and fast-acting option, nitrous oxide can ease your nerves and make your procedure much more comfortable. Because its effects wear off rather quickly, you will not require an escort to drive you home. In some cases, oral sedatives can be prescribed and taken in advance of treatment. Oral sedatives induce feelings of calming relaxation, and the effects can last for hours after the appointment. Typically, patients taking an oral sedative prior to a procedure require an escort both to and from the office. The same is true with IV sedation, as the medications are directly supplied to your bloodstream, providing immediate effects. For more complex surgical procedures or to provide care for patients with special needs or complex medical conditions, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon can also provide care in a hospital setting with general anesthesia.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our practice and the many services we provide, give our office a call today.

Sometimes, teeth don’t grow in as they should. When they fail to erupt, they are considered “impacted teeth”, a condition that’s usually caused by a lack of space or crowding in the mouth, or as a result of a positioning problem. Impacted teeth can create a functional as well as an esthetic problem during growth and development.

Clinical examination and x-rays are often used to diagnose an impacted tooth. At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we will work to uncover the involved tooth to facilitate its eruption as well as to enable it to be brought into alignment by the orthodontist.

After the wisdom teeth, which are non-essential for your smile to function, the most commonly impacted teeth are the maxillary canines, or “eye teeth.” As the cornerstones of your smile, your canines provide essential support for your facial contours and play a vital role in oral function.  If it’s determined that a canine is impacted, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will perform a minor surgical procedure to expose and bond an orthodontic bracket its surface. With the attachment of an elastic chain or other type of ligature to the tooth, your orthodontist provides care to gradually bring the tooth into alignment.

An expose and bond procedure can also be performed when other teeth fail to erupt as well such as in the case of a front tooth that is blocked by a supernumerary, or extra tooth. As a trained and experienced provider of care, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will partner with your dentist or orthodontist to coordinate a treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of your case.

Committed to excellence in oral care

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our practice and the many services we provide, give our office a call today.

When it comes to the rehabilitation of incomplete smiles, there are few dental professionals better qualified to provide the precise and gentle care required than an experienced oral & maxillofacial surgeon. At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we provide skilled care for a wide range of complex dentofacial problems requiring surgical intervention. Whether you are thinking about replacing missing teeth with dental implants, or you are in need of a bone graft, corrective jaw surgery, or a sinus lift, you can rest assured that our office is well equipped to address your needs. New patients are always welcome to our state-of-the-art facility, your resource for the latest advances in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

If you are missing one or more teeth, it’s a good idea to discuss rebuilding a complete and beautiful smile with dental implants. An innovative treatment option that comes the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth, implants are distinctly different from other teeth replacement options. This is due to the fact that they behave in much the same way as the roots of actual teeth, and are implanted directly into the jawbone over the course of a minor procedure. At our office, our skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeon has both the comprehensive knowledge of dentofacial anatomy as well as the technical expertise to place dental implants with the ultimate precision for proper alignment and optimal function. In cases where there is not enough bone available to support the successful placement of a dental implant, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon can perform a bone grafting procedure to ensure your implant has the necessary support for a durable and long-lasting result of care.

Patient care and comfort are our top priorities. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety, we also offer a range of sedation options to make any procedures at our office more comfortable and stress-free.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our practice and the many services we provide, give our office a call today.

If you are experiencing dental pain, it’s important to get prompt, skilled and reliable care. At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, our specialty-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon is well equipped to address a range of complex and urgent dental needs. From the treatment of traumatic facial and dental injuries to the extraction of impacted or erupted teeth and more, our office has the knowledge and expertise necessary to get you back on the road to health. New patients are always welcome to our state-of-the-art facility, your resource for the best in emergency dental care.

A dental emergency can be a frightening experience that is often accompanied by a significant amount of discomfort. As skilled providers of care, it is our goal to provide the prompt and reliable treatment you require. Whether you have had a tooth knocked out in an accident, are dealing with a problematic wisdom tooth, have an oral infection, a broken jaw, a lingering mouth ulcer or a lesion that requires further evaluation, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will provide the compassionate, skilled care that’s required. Do not hesitate to contact our office for care. Dental pain or trauma to the face, mouth, and jaws can quickly worsen without proper treatment and pose a serious risk to your oral health and function as well as overall health and wellbeing. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have a comprehensive knowledge of medicine, dentistry, and are well versed in the complex anatomy of the head and neck area. They also understand the intricacies of all areas in dentistry to make certain that any care for a traumatic injury or condition restores optimal oral function and facial aesthetics.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our practice and the many services we provide, give our office a call today.

Despite an increasing awareness of the risk factors, oral cancer remains one of the ten most frequently occurring cancers worldwide. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 adults across the United States alone will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. Since many signs and symptoms of oral cancer mimic lesions that often go away on their own, or are not at all painless, you may be unaware of its presence. At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon has both the comprehensive knowledge and advanced specialty training to assess and biopsy questionable tissue changes as well as any unusual growths that might be indicative of oral cancer or other harmful conditions.

While oral cancer can occur anywhere in and around the mouth, it is usually detected on the lips, inside the lips and cheeks, the gums, the tongue or on the floor or roof of the mouth. If cancer is found further back in the oral cavity, it’s referred to as oropharyngeal cancer, or throat cancer. Keeping in mind, that many forms of oral and oropharyngeal cancer go undetected for quite some time, it’s important to know the risk factors as well as the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Some of the signs and symptoms to be on the look out for include:

• Mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal
• Lumps or thickened areas
• Red or white patches
• Persistent swelling of unknown origin
• Pain when swallowing, a painful tongue or a continuing ear or neck ache
• A constant feeling that something is stuck in the throat
• Tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips
• Loose teeth
• Jaw pain or stiffness

Who is most at risk?

Even though oral cancer can affect any gender, men are twice as likely to develop the disease as women. Statistics indicate that men over the age of 50 who are heavy smokers and drink alcohol constitute the highest risk group. Other contributing factors include UV exposure from the sun or sunlamps, the presence of gastro-intestinal reflux disease (GERD), a history of previous head and neck radiation, along with exposure to certain chemicals or a poor diet. It’s also worth noting that despite the fact the mortality rate from cancer has been declining, there’s been a rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer due to an increase in sexual transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

By far, the most important thing about oral cancer is to be aware. Thanks to significant inroads in research as well as the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in recent decades, with early detection, more and more people are experiencing positive outcomes of care.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

If you find yourself experiencing stiffness, popping, clicking or pain when you open or close your mouth, you may have a TMJ disorder. For a thorough diagnosis and guidance on the best way to manage and alleviate the discomfort and dysfunction of this problem, consult the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists. As a skilled and experienced provider of care, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon can assess your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.

On either side of your head, directly below your ears, is a complex system of muscles and joints that are responsible for opening and closing your jaw and moving your lower jaw from side to side. This joint, which is known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), plays an essential role in your ability to chew, swallow and speak. When any problem that causes pain or inhibits the motion of this joint arises, it is referred to as a TMJ disorder.

If you suffer from a TMJ disorder, you may experience frequent headaches, facial pain, and earaches. Symptoms of this condition can also manifest themselves in other ways. For all these reasons, it is essential to visit our oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a complete assessment and care. At our office, we’ll check for clicking, popping, tenderness, and difficulty moving your jaw, and perform a comprehensive examination to rule out any other possible reasons for your symptoms. A TMJ disorder can be attributed to a variety of underlying causes, from arthritis, injury, malocclusions or bite discrepancies, to teeth grinding. After conducting a comprehensive examination of your face and jaws, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will determine the precise, underlying cause of your TMJ jaw-joint disorder and recommend the most appropriate course of care. Treatment for TMJ disorders can involve a variety of approaches to care including a custom fitted night guard, bite adjustments, orthodontics, prosthodontics, or surgery.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon is experienced in providing care for a myriad of complex dental issues. Having established a reputation for excellence by providing advanced and compassionate care, you can feel confident that you are receiving the most effective and proven methods of treatment at our office.  Whether you need an extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth, an apicoectomy, the biopsy of an oral lesion, treatment for facial or oral trauma, sleep apnea, or orthognathic surgery, our office is well equipped to provide the care you require.

Today, many people are considering dental implants to replace their lost or missing teeth. Representing the most advanced method of tooth replacement, the popularity of dental implants is increasing by leaps and bounds. This is due in large part to the fact that more than conventional dental bridges and dentures, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel and function of your very own teeth. Moreover, dental implants enjoy highest success rate of any implanted surgical device. However, one of the most important requirements for your dental implant procedure to be successful and for your implants to serve you well for a long time, is that enough dental bone is present to support them as they sustain all of the forces of oral function. For this reason, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs a range of bone grafting, sinus lift, ridge augmentation, and ridge preservation procedures. With these remarkable procedures, our skilled specialist can rebuild many areas of diminished bone to provide sufficient support to ensure the long-term success of dental implants. Moreover, thanks to years of advanced training and a comprehensive knowledge of orofacial anatomy, facial aesthetics, and jaw function, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is well equipped to place dental implants with the ultimate precision.

At the office of Hunterdon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.