Category Archives: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral Surgeries

There are several conditions that require an oral surgery. Nobody relishes getting a surgery performed. An accomplished oral surgeon will share certain facts with you to ensure that you understand the upcoming procedure. In this post, let us look at a few common types of dental surgery procedures and what you can expect from them.

Double board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth or last molars are generally the last ones to develop. These teeth don’t always cause problem while erupting. However, in most cases, they don’t fully erupt or are not properly aligned. This makes them impacted between the jawbone and the gums. This affects the health of surrounding teeth as well.

Tooth Extractions

There is a wide array of reasons why you may require a tooth extraction. You may have a diseased tooth or overcrowded teeth that requires removal. You may need to create more room for facilitating proper alignment during orthodontics.

Dental Implants

Your dentist will implant a metal post into the jawbone surgically for replacing a missing tooth. The implant will fuse with the gum bone and tissue over time. This helps in creating a strong foundation to place the natural looking crown or artificial tooth. Dental implants are recommended for patients that have tooth loss and are looking for long-term options.

Biopsies

If you have a suspicious looking lesion in your mouth, a dental surgeon will recommend having a biopsy performed to check for oral cancer. They will remove a small tissue piece for testing at the lab.

Jaw Surgery

If your jaws are not properly aligned, you may have problems with both appearance and function. Generally, surgery is required in such cases for correcting the problem and restoring function.

Sleep Apnea

Patients with serious sleep apnea usually find comfort in conservative treatments. In severe cases, oral surgeons can perform a surgery for removing excess tissue from the back of the throat for significantly reducing symptoms.

Cleft Lip/Palate

These are among the most common birth defects that are estimated to affect 700 – 800 babies in North America. A child has a good chance of leading a normal and healthy life with proper surgical intervention.

Reconstructive surgery

Facial injuries and knocked-out teeth can make the most routine tasks challenging. Reconstructive surgery can be performed for replacing damaged or missing teeth. It can be used for correcting jaw joint issues and treating gum or jawbone damage.

Pre-procedure

Your dentist will give you an outlined treatment plan before surgery. They will discuss various anesthesia options. You should feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding the surgery. Most surgeries are performed under anesthesia for ensuring patient comfort.

Post-procedure

There is a recovery period in oral procedures as with any surgery. You may be unable to drive to home if you are under general anesthesia. You will be tired and groggy and should have someone come pick you up. Your dentist may prescribe painkiller for managing any recover related pain.

Double board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery procedures.

Contact McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, AL to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery 

Common Oral Surgical Procedure Oral And Maxillofacial SurgeryOral and maxillofacial surgery covers a comprehensive range of dental procedures, ranging from tooth extractions to advanced surgical correction of craniofacial anomalies and repair of jaw fractures.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Conditions Treated 

The following conditions can be treated most effectively by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon:  

  • Complex Oral & Facial Pain 
  • Craniofacial Anomalies 
  • Complex Dental Rehabilitation 
  • Facial Fractures & Trauma 
  • Dental Infections 
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 
  • Maxillofacial Prosthetics 
  • Malocclusion (Misaligned Teeth & Bite) 
  • Oral/Head & Neck Cancers 
  • Oral Lesions 
  • Salivary Gland Diseases 
  • TMJ Disorders 
  • Sleep Disorders 

Advanced Treatments 

One of the most common types of oral and maxillofacial surgeries is removal of impacted wisdom teeth. However, this field involves various more advanced procedures, some of which may overlap with medical disciplines beyond dentistry. 

Overlaps usually occur in palatal birth defects, facial trauma, cleft lip, head and neck cancer, and facial cosmetic surgeries. According to the American Dental Association, there are nine other dental specialties that can offer supplementary treatments as well.  

For instance, oral pathology can help identify the cause and effects of a particular facial condition to help the oral surgeon design the right treatment. Some of the procedures may involve treatment in a hospital, and may even include an overnight stay at the hospital.  

For instance, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may perform repair of broken facial bones in the emergency room of a hospital. Oral surgery may also be used for patients suffering from severe sleep apnea in order to correct their breathing while they are sleeping.  

Introaoral and Dento-Alveolar Surgery 

Dento-alveolar surgery may be necessary to correct conditions related to teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. Tooth extraction is the most common procedure of this type. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may perform dental implant surgery to replace missing teeth.  

The surgeon may also perform jaw surgery, while working with an orthodontist to correct a misaligned bite. TMJ joint surgery may also be performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to treat pathology of the jaw joint. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often have the required training and skills to perform facial cosmetic treatments. They may provide both surgical and non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments to reduce the signs of aging and other facial imperfections, while restoring a more youthful appearance. 

Choosing an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon 

For teeth extractions, dental implants, facial injury repair, and almost any other oral procedure in between, you can expect to achieve the best outcomes with a qualified and trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon. These specialists must undergo an additional four years of training after they graduate from a dental school.  

They are also extensively trained in aesthesia and IV sedation procedures. Therefore, you must choose your oral surgeon carefully and ensure that they have the necessary professional credentials to work as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Out Of Town Patient Guide

Cosmetic surgery is a life altering procedure, and it makes sense to go the extra mile in choosing the best surgeon for your needs. Discerning patients recognize that the choice of the surgeon is the single most important factor that will impact their results. Therefore, they are often willing to travel out of town to seek the best possible treatment for their aesthetic concerns. 

McLain Surgical Arts, led by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain, provides cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.  

Long Distance Consultation  

shutterstock_1264838881Out of town patients usually have the choice between an in-person consultation and a long distance consultation with the surgeon. If you are busy or stay afar, it may not be feasible for you visit separately for a pre-surgery consultation. In this case, your surgeon and their team will make all efforts to ensure that you have an equally satisfying and productive consultation over the phone, Skype and email.  

Prior to your virtual consultation, you will have to submit your patient forms, medical history and images pertaining to your areas of concern (typically front-view and side-view images). The surgeon will review these details and prepare a customized surgical plan for you. Feel free to ask questions during the consultation and clear all your doubts.  

Scheduling Your Surgery 

Once you are ready to go ahead with the cosmetic surgery, your patient coordinator at the surgeon’s office will help you schedule a convenient date for surgery.  

You will also receive pre-surgery preparatory instructions, such as avoiding smoking and discontinuing NSAIDs and herbal medications, if any for at least two weeks prior to your procedure. Depending on your procedure, your surgeon may also require you to have some medical tests and blood work and submit the results to their office.  

Travel Plans 

Your patient coordinator will help you to make advance reservations for your transport and accommodation in the city for your surgery. The entire surgical team will do everything to make your out of town surgery experience as seamless as possible. 

You should ideally arrive in town a day or two head of your surgery, and plan to stay for a few days until you have recovered enough to safely travel back home. Your surgeon will give you an estimated recovery timeline according to your procedure. In general, you should expect to stay back for about one week after your surgery to allow the incisions to heal well.  

Post-Operative Care 

Your best option would be to bring along someone you can trust to assist you during your surgery and a day or two afterwards. Your caregiver can accompany you back to your hotel after the surgery, and preferably stay for at least 24 hours to provide you physical and emotional support.  

Hotels in Huntsville 

  • Embassy Suites  
  • The Westin Huntsville 

Airport 

Huntsville International Airport is located 15 miles west of town. Flights are available to and from cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Houston and New York City. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for safe and proven cosmetic procedures.   

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Oral Surgery 

Preparing For Oral Surgery alabamaThorough preparation for your oral surgery will help ensure that your risk of complications is minimized and you have an expedited recovery. You should approach oral surgery just like any other surgical procedure, and diligently follow your surgeon’s instructions for pre-op preparation and post-surgical care.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities. 

Follow the Rules for Diet and Smoking  

If your oral surgery involves general anesthesia or IV sedation, your pre-op guidelines will be similar to those for any other surgery. In general, you will have to avoid eating or drinking (including water) for at least eight hours prior to your scheduled surgery time.  

If only a local anesthetic will be used for your oral surgery, your surgeon may allow you to have a light meal a few hours before surgery. But make sure you thoroughly brush and floss after the meal. Your surgeon will determine how long you should avoid smoking prior to your oral surgery, but normally you may not be allowed to smoke for a minimum of 12 hours before the scheduled surgery time.  

Clothes to Wear for Oral Surgery 

You should choose comfortable, short-sleeved and loose fitting clothes for the day of your oral surgery. This will be more important if you are going to have an IV drip. Additional tips include:  

  • Do not wear contact lenses as your eyes may be closed for a longer period if the surgery is performed using general anesthesia  
  • Avoid wearing jewelry as you may have to remove it before certain procedures  
  • Avoid wearing any lipstick or makeup, but you may carry a lip balm as your lips might be chapped following the surgery  
  • Consider pinning or tying your hair back, particularly if it is voluminous 

Plan Your Post-Operative Diet in Advance 

It is a good idea to pre-plan a soft food menu that involves little to no chewing. You should avoid acidic or spicy foods that could irritate your gums. Protein supplements or drinks can be concrete sources of nutrition in the early part of your recovery. You may also consider quick-cook foods and oatmeal.  

Arrange for Transportation and Post-Op Care  

You should ideally bring along a family member or friend to the dentist’s office who can also safely drive you back home after your oral surgery. Your surgeon will advise you against driving yourself, even if you have only been exposed to local anesthesia for your procedure.  

If the oral surgery is more complex or elaborate, have someone stay with you overnight to assist with the chores. If you have little kids, consider arranging for child care or organize pre-prepared food so that you do not have to bother with cooking once you return home after your oral surgery. 

Be diligent about visiting the oral surgeon’s office for your scheduled follow-up appointments. If you have any post-surgical symptoms such as persistent pain or fever, call your surgeon for advice.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Oral Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery alabamaAny oral surgery is a delicate procedure, which should only be performed a qualified and experienced oral surgeon. These surgeons are specifically trained to perform a wide range of procedures, and will be able to deliver safe and predictable results.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Tooth Extraction 

Tooth extraction is a commonly performed dental surgery, which may necessary to resolve trauma or disease or correct teeth overcrowding. A simple extraction may work if the affected teeth are visible above the gum line, and the surgeon can pull them out with forceps.  

A surgical extraction may be required when it is necessary to cut the tissue or bone to remove the tooth. The wound will be closed with sutures following a surgical extraction. It can be particularly difficult to remove wisdom teeth, and the procedure should only be performed by a skilled oral surgeon.  

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 

One of the more complex forms of oral surgery is oral and maxillofacial surgery. The procedure should be performed by an oral and maxillofacial specialist. Dentoalveolar surgery, corrective jaw surgery, maxillofacial dental implants, and pre-prosthetic nerve repositioning and bone augmentation are some of the advanced procedures that are included in this category.  

Dental Implants 

Dental implant surgery is the most reliable and long-term solution to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants do not require support from the adjacent teeth, which avoids any compromise to the natural health of those teeth.  

To replace the missing tooth, the oral surgeon will insert a metal post (usually titanium) into the jawbone. The post will serve as an artificial tooth root and will fuse with the bone and gum tissue over time. This creates a solid foundation for the placement of a dental crown over the implant.  

Oral Biopsy  

Sometimes the presence of a lesion in the mouth may have to be evaluated to rule out cancer. A biopsy will have to be performed for this purpose. The oral surgeon will remove a small piece of tissue from the affected site, which will be then analyzed in the lab to check for oral cancer.  

Jaw Surgery 

If you suffer from poor jaw alignment, it may not only cause you cosmetic concerns, but also interfere with your oral function. Jaw surgery may be required to correct this condition and restore normal oral function. 

Sleep Apnea  

Sometimes it may not be possible to successfully treat sleep apnea with non-invasive treatments. In severe cases, the oral surgeon may remove excess tissue from the back of your throat. This will considerably relieve you of the sleep apnea symptoms.  

Reconstructive Surgery 

Facial injuries and knocked-out teeth can severely compromise oral function as well as appearance. The oral surgeon may perform a reconstructive surgery to replace damaged or broken teeth, treat gum tissue or jawbone damage, and correct problems of the jaw joint. Severe facial trauma may cause deformities that can be best restored with a reconstructive surgery. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.