In preparation for dental implant surgery, the health of the jawbone must be carefully evaluated at the location of the future dental implant. If the jawbone is too thin or too soft, it may be necessary to supplement the surgical site with additional bone.

Bone graft surgery provides the reinforcement that the dental implant will need to withstand the powerful chewing forces that are exerted on the jawbone. Weak bone that cannot support a dental implant is more likely to result in a failed surgery. To reduce the risk for a failed surgery, Dr. Leonhart can perform a bone graft to establish a more solid foundation for the dental implant.

The Bone Graft Procedure

Bone graft surgery is performed in our state-of-the-art surgical facility typically under deep sedation. A small piece of bone can be transplanted from one part of the jaw to the deficient area but, more often, the supplemental bone is harvested from a cadaver or bovine source. Through a small opening in the gum tissue, the jawbone can be exposed and the supplemental bone placed. The gum tissue will then be sutured together and the surgical site will be permitted to heal before the implant is placed. The healing phase varies depending on the extent and type of grafting. Some minor bone grafts can be performed at the same time as the implant placement. Dr. Leonhart emphasizes treatment options that shorten the overall course of treatment so you can get back to smiling and eating without restriction as quickly as possible.

Types of Bone Graft Procedures

Supplemental bone can be used to increase the width of the jawbone in an area that is not wide enough to accommodate the implant. If necessary, the height of the bone can also be increased. Dips, defects, and irregularities in the jawbone can be corrected through bone graft surgery. It is also a common practice to lift the floor of the sinus (sinus lift) and add additional bone to prevent an upper implant from extending into the sinus cavity.

Planning for your Bone Graft Surgery

Replacing missing bone and encouraging the growth of new bone in a precise location provides us with the opportunity to place more successful dental implants and create highly functional smiles. To find out how bone graft surgery could factor into your dental implant treatment plan, contact our office today.

To ease patients discomfort and better manage anxiety and pain, Dr. Leonhart uses Intravenous (I.V.) Sedation.

The medications used for I.V. Sedation and Oral Sedation in dentistry are from a group of drugs known as Benzodiazapines. Not only do these medications have a sedative effect, they also have some degree of amnesic effect for most people. Patients remember little or nothing about their dental appointment. With I.V. Sedation, we may use an additional class of drugs known as Narcotics for pain control, which also may have a sedative effect. Narcotics are not typically used with Oral Sedation.

Advantages of Intravenous (I.V.) Sedation:

• We have the ability to change the level of sedation during a procedure
• Medication for an analgesic effect (pain relief) may be utilized
• Anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroid) may be administered for various procedures
• Easy to administer
• It is safe and easy to monitor
• Works well for most people
• Low Cost

When I.V. Sedation is used, someone must drive you to and from your dental appointment.

What medications are used for Dental I.V. Sedation?

The most common medications are Versed (Midazolam) and Fentanyl. Versed provides a deep level of relaxation and an amnesic effect, while Fentanyl offers pain relief and may have a sedative effect as well.

A team-oriented effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, such as Dr. Leonhart, and your restorative dentist will be essential for a successful dental implant experience. Dr. Leonhart leads our surgical team in the placement of the dental implant post (the part in the jaw bone) along with any recommended adjunctive surgical procedures such as tooth extractions and bone grafting before your restorative dentist designs and finalizes your permanent prosthesis (the part you chew with).

Why Dental Implants?

Implant dentistry makes it possible to fully recover from tooth loss in a way that can have a positive impact on many aspects of your life. A finished dental implant is not removable and can be made to look very natural and attractive from all angles. From the way that an implant tooth aligns with the neighboring teeth right down to the relationship between the implant tooth and the gum line, there is very little visual distinction between an implant and a natural tooth.

Furthermore, dental implants will improve the longevity of your other remaining teeth by preventing the need to drill into the remaining teeth to replace the lost tooth, thus weakening those teeth and subjecting them to the possible need for a root canal.

Depending on the case, a dental implant surgery will be completed in 1 or 2 phases. First, the titanium post (the implant) will be surgically placed into the jawbone. This minimally invasive surgery can be completed in the dental office under local anesthesia or IV sedation. In this phase, gum graft surgery and additional adjunctive procedures can also be performed. The tip of the implant post will be covered and protected by the gum tissue until the post and the jawbone have become permanently fused together in a process known as osseointegration. Because Dr. Leonhart uses only the best implant systems, this process can take as little as 8 weeks.

In the second phase, the gum tissue will be numbed and the top of the implant post will be carefully uncovered. A surgical abutment will be attached to the implant post to serve as the point of connection for your final crown.

A Better Tooth Replacement Alternative

If this all sounds a little bit confusing, we can help! If you are considering dental implants as an alternative to conventional bridges and partial dentures, we would be happy to discuss the procedure and guide you through the decision-making process. Please call or contact us today to arrange a consultation.

Canine exposures are necessary when:

• One or two of the teeth “get stuck” in the jaw bone and do not erupt into the mouth. This can make it difficult for an orthodontist to straighten the teeth and correct the bite
• Impacted teeth can damage roots of the surrounding healthy teeth
• Cysts or pathology develops around the impacted tooth

The canine exposure procedure “exposes” the impacted tooth making it more accessible to the orthodontist. Any tooth can become impacted, but the majority of the cases involve the wisdom teeth and the canine teeth. Unlike the wisdom teeth, the canines are critical for function and are necessary to complete an aesthetically pleasing smile.

Impacted teeth are sometimes obvious to the naked eye, but in most instances an x-ray is necessary to identify the extent of the impaction. The technology in our office allows us to obtain a focused CT image of the area. This is a great asset to the surgeon and greatly decreases surgery time and time under anesthesia. After the location of the impacted tooth is determined, the procedure is quite simple. A small hole is created in the gum, allowing the tooth to erupt. In some cases, an orthodontic brace is placed to guide the tooth into its correct position.

The preparation of your mouth before the placement of a prosthesis is referred to as pre-prosthetic surgery.

Some patients require minor oral surgical procedures before receiving a partial or complete denture, in order to ensure the maximum level of comfort. A denture sits on the bone ridge, so it is very important that the bone is the proper shape and size. If a tooth needs to be extracted, the underlying bone might be left sharp and uneven. For the best fit of a denture, the bone might need to be smoothed out or reshaped. Occasionally, excess bone would need to be removed prior to denture insertion.

One or more of the following procedures might need to be performed in order to prepare your mouth for a denture:

• Bone smoothing and reshaping
• Removal of excess bone
• Bone ridge reduction
• Removal of excess gum tissue
• Exposure of impacted teeth

Call or email us today and we will review your particular needs with you during your appointment.

The study and diagnosis of diseases that affect the oral cavity is known as oral pathology. As an oral surgeon, Dr. Leonhart possesses particular expertise in oral and maxillofacial pathology, not only involving diseases of the oral tissues but also pathologic conditions in the immediately surrounding areas.

Understanding Oral Pathology

A large number of diseases can occur in or around the mouth. Some are unique to the oral environment while others can be spread to the oral region from other sources. Many of these conditions can be accompanied by serious consequences if they are not recognized, properly diagnosed, and treated as quickly as possible.

The Role of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon has the qualifications and experience to provide a clinical assessment of oral lesions and conditions. Depending upon the clinical diagnosis, it may also be necessary to submit samples of the affected tissues for microscopic examination. Once the true nature of the lesion has been identified, an oral surgeon has the unique training to provide both surgical and reconstructive treatments when indicated.

Common Causes of Oral Pathology and Oral Cancer

• Tobacco – The risk for oral cancer is as much as 10 times greater for smokers compared to non-smokers.
• Alcohol – Studies have shown a link between alcohol abuse and the development of oral cancer.
• Viruses – Studies have indicated a strong link between HPV (human papilloma virus) and HSV (herpes simplex virus) in the incidence of oral cancer.
• Sunlight – There is a clear association between sunlight exposure (actinic radiation) and the development of oral cancer (particularly cancer of the lower lip).

Dr. Leonhart is experienced in the evaluation of the oral cavity as well as the head and neck area and offers surgical care that includes but is not limited to the treatment of cysts or tumors in the jaw bones and lesions that involve the soft tissues of the oral mucosa, gums, tongue, cheeks, and lips.

Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment today for a complete oral cancer screening or to receive more information regarding our oral pathology services.

Our oral surgery practice utilizes cone-beam CT (computed tomography) technology to generate high quality 3-D radiographic images.

These incredibly accurate images provide us with detailed and precise clinical information which aids Dr. Leonhart in diagnosing dental conditions as well as planning and implementing oral surgery procedures.

A Wealth of Valuable Information about your Health

CT scan technology provides 3-D radiographic images that can be used to diagnose, plan, and treat conditions in the areas of:

• Orthodontics
• Implant Dentistry
• TMJ Disorders
• Airway Assessment and Sleep Apnea
• Oral and Orthognathic (Corrective Jaw) Surgery

The CT scan produces anatomically correct and undistorted images of the teeth, jaws, and facial bones. This includes cross-sectional images and panoramic views which can be easily viewed, enhanced, and magnified for even greater detail. With these views, we can evaluate the shape and size of the jaw bone, the position of the teeth and roots, the location of nerve pathways, and the dimensions of the sinus cavities.

Speed, Comfort, and Safety

Your radiographic image can be completed quickly and painlessly to minimize your exposure to radiation while reducing the risk of an accidental movement. The scanner features an open design that won’t leave your feeling “closed in”, and unlike conventional x-rays, no portion of the imaging equipment will be placed inside of the mouth.

Committed to the Highest Quality of Care in Oral Surgery

To schedule an appointment for cone-beam CT imaging, we invite you to contact our office today.

An injury that involves the structures of the face, including the jaw bone, is known as maxillofacial trauma. This type of trauma can involve cuts in the skin, obstructions in the sinuses or nasal cavities, damaged eye sockets, broken jaws, or knocked out teeth.

Treating injuries of this type and magnitude may involve controlling bleeding, maintaining an open airway, reducing swelling, repairing fractured bones, preventing infection, and repairing soft tissue lacerations. Sports injuries, accidents, and domestic violence are most commonly responsible for facial trauma.

Trust a Surgical Specialist

Dr. Leonhart offers a valuable combination of dental training and surgical experience, providing an incredible level of expertise when managing these complex problems. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Leonhart specializes in restoring function to the jaws, replacing missing teeth, and regaining the proper proportions of the face following these frightening and traumatic injuries for both children and adults. When finished most patients regain normal function.

Dr. Leonhart obtained this level of expertise by completion of both dental and medical schools, an internship in general surgery, and years of hospital-based surgical residency.

Understanding Facial Injuries

A facial injury doesn’t have to be extensive to require the services of a surgical specialist. The face and mouth are critical to your ability to breathe, see, speak, and eat. That’s why an injury such as a cut lip can still require complex and precise care, making the knowledge and expertise of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon indispensable. From placing sutures to managing inflammation, receiving the appropriate surgical care can have a long-term impact on your health as well as the final esthetic outcome.

Take Action Now

If a facial or oral injury results in a visit to the emergency room, ask to be evaluated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon as quickly as possible. The oral surgeon is the specialist who is most qualified to manage these injuries in the emergency room or in the dental office, especially when it comes to detecting the hidden injuries and complications that could otherwise go unnoticed.

For more help and information regarding oral surgery care for a facial injury, please contact our team today.