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Improve Your Health and Appearance
Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on the face, mouth, and jaws. Specialists in this area typically have completed extensive training in dentistry, surgery, and general medicine. The procedures can range from cosmetic surgeries like laser skin resurfacing to restorative treatments like bone grafting.
At Dugan & Sweeney OMS, we offer a wide range of oral and maxillofacial procedures for your convenience. Both of our dentists are experienced oral surgeons who can ensure your safety and comfort during treatment. Explore our guide to learn more about your options and how you can benefit from oral or maxillofacial surgery.
What’s the difference between oral and maxillofacial surgery?
What is oral pathology?
What’s the difference between oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Oral surgery is a procedure that involves cutting into the tissues of your mouth, such as your gums or jawbone. Examples of oral surgeries include wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, gum grafts, and root canals.
Maxillofacial surgery includes treatment of facial injuries, such as fractures of the lower or upper jaw, cheekbone, nose, and orbit. Maxillofacial surgeons also treat soft tissue injuries of the mouth, face, and neck.
To ensure a comfortable experience, we’ll typically offer IV sedation before your oral or maxillofacial surgery.
What is oral pathology?
Oral pathology is concerned with researching, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the mouth, including those which may affect the teeth, gums, glands, and hard and soft tissue. One of the most important aspects of oral pathology is diagnosing and treating oral cancer to protect your overall health.
How do I know if oral & maxillofacial surgery is right for me?
What sort of maxillofacial issues do you treat?
How do I know if oral & maxillofacial surgery is right for me?
People with an improper bite or an ill-positioned jaw may benefit from orthognathic surgery. During your consultation, our team will determine if this option is right for you. There are a variety of reasons that you could benefit from visiting one of our surgeons.
You may have impacted wisdom teeth or other unhealthy teeth that need to be removed. Dental implant placement, bone grafting, and other supplemental procedures all fit into the oral and maxillofacial category as well.
What sort of maxillofacial issues do you treat?
Patients suffering from facial injuries such as facial lacerations, fractured facial bones, or knocked-out teeth will require a maxillofacial surgeon to correct these issues. Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney provide proper care for facial injuries like these to ensure a fast recovery.
Oral Surgery Procedures
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom Teeth Removal
When wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly in your gums, they become impacted. Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney will extract your wisdom teeth quickly and painlessly to protect your surrounding teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental Implants
For patients missing teeth, dental implants offer a way to permanently restore your natural-looking smile.
Socket Preservation
Socket Preservation
After an extraction, your underlying jawbone can be at risk of degeneration. To prevent this, Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney can protect your jawbone with a socket preservation procedure.
Impacted Canines
Impacted Canines
The canines are the sturdiest of your teeth and play an important role in the health of your jaw. If they become impacted and are left untreated, it can lead to tooth fusion and expensive treatments.
Bone Grafting
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting prevents your jaw from deteriorating following a tooth extraction. Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney will use this procedure to help restore your jawbone to full strength again. Bone grafting can also help patients who have suffered from bone loss become candidates for dental implants.
TMJ Disorders
TMJ Disorders
You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) where the lower jaw connects to the skull located right underneath the ears. TMJ disorders can be uncomfortable and damaging if left untreated. Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney can provide effective solutions to relieve your pain.
Skin Rejuvenation Procedures
You don’t have to be in severe pain or have missing teeth to benefit from our treatments. Our skin rejuvenation treatments can help you achieve a variety of cosmetic goals for a stunning appearance.
Skin rejuvenation describes a variety of treatments that remove wrinkles and other small flaws. These treatments can help you appear more youthful and attractive, helping to boost your confidence.
Explore our guide to learn more:
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Our ultra pulse CO2 laser has changed the way skin treatments are performed. Using controlled bursts of radiation, we can remove small wrinkles, scars, and sun damage with unmatched precision.
By using this laser, we eliminate the need for a scalpel and reduce your risk of scarring. We’ll also administer a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Restylane
Restylane is the only non-animal-based dermal filler that can remove wrinkles, folds, and small scars from your skin. Administered in small amounts through an ultra-fine needle, Restylane produces results that can last six months or longer.
Many patients choose Restylane because it’s biodegradable and biocompatible, eliminating the risk of any allergic reactions.
BOTOX®
BOTOX® injections are a great way to remove frown lines, crows feet, and other facial wrinkles. The injections are virtually painless and will help you achieve the radiant appearance you desire.
Though the results won’t last forever, you won’t need to repeat the procedure often and long-term use should increase the duration of each treatment’s effect. It’s also important to note that BOTOX® can only treat expression lines and won’t work for natural wrinkles caused by aging.
Chemical Peels
Chemical PeelsA chemical peel involves applying a solution to damaged areas of your skin that will cause the dead cells to peel off. As your skin heals, scars, acne, and other small flaws will disappear.
The concentration of a chemical peel can vary depending on the severity of your skin damage. We especially recommend this treatment for patients who want to eliminate sun damage, acne scars, and uneven pigmentation.
Pain Management and Recovery
We strive to provide our clients with a pain-free experience and a fast recovery. We offer the following treatments to help make the most out of your appointment with us:
IV Sedation
Here at the offices of Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney, we want your visit to be as comfortable as possible. That’s why we offer IV sedation to help keep you calm and relaxed during your procedure.
PRP / PRF
PRP / PRFPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that aids in the healing process by tapping into and amplifying the body’s natural healing abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Is oral and maxillofacial surgery painful?
Are you awake during oral surgery?
What can I eat and drink after oral and maxillofacial surgery?
How do I speed up the recovery following surgery?
How long does it take to recover from oral and maxillofacial surgery?
After your surgery, Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney recommend resting for 48 to 72 hours. This recovery period is important because it allows your body the time it needs to heal. Patients should avoid any strenuous activities. In order to heal properly and reduce the risk of infection, it’s crucial to take proper care and rest following your surgery.
Is oral and maxillofacial surgery painful?
Prior to your procedure, we’ll numb the area with a local anesthetic in order to ensure a pain-free experience. We can also recommend IV sedation to help you stay comfortable throughout your visit. Following your surgery, you may experience some swelling and discomfort, but this should dissipate with time.
In addition to following any recommendations given by Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, and apply an ice pack to help control any pain and swelling. Be sure to take any medications as directed.
Are you awake during oral surgery?
Most oral surgeries aren’t invasive enough to warrant more than a local anesthetic. In most cases, you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain during the procedure. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety, we can also provide IV sedation.
What can I eat and drink after oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Every surgery is different — as a result, guidelines and timeframes for recovery will vary depending on the procedure and the patient. Following your surgery, it’s best to stick to a diet consisting of soft foods. You’ll also want to avoid any foods that are hot to start. Here are a few foods that may help you during recovery:
- Protein Drinks
- Mashed Bananas
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Warm Blended Soups
- Milkshakes
- Jell-O
How do I speed up the recovery following surgery?
In addition to following any instructions from Drs. Dugan and Sweeney, there are several ways to facilitate the healing process and avoid complications along the way. Tips for a speedy recovery include:
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol
- Refrain from touching the area
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth
- Try PRP therapy
- Rest
- Eat soft foods
- Stay hydrated
- Stick to a soft diet
- Use a cold compress
- Take over-the-counter pain medications
You’ll also want to practice good oral hygiene and attend any follow-up appointments. During these visits, we can ensure you’re healing properly.
Choose Us For Your Oral and Maxillofacial Needs
As certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney are trained to treat a wide spectrum of problems of the mouth, teeth, and facial regions. Whether it’s extracting wisdom teeth, correcting a misaligned jaw, or performing dental implant surgery, you can entrust your care to Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney. Schedule your appointment today at our Pittsburgh office by calling 412.366.2090.
