We understand that dealing with the loss of one or more teeth can cause anxiety for our patients. Whether a tooth has been lost to injury, neglect, improper dental hygiene, dental caries or gum disease, it is important to replace the tooth (or teeth) in order to restore functionality and appearance. At Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, patients are typically referred to us by general dentists who have diagnosed a condition which requires a surgical treatment, usually an extraction of one or more diseased teeth. Once the tooth (or teeth) is surgically extracted, how will it be replaced? Without a doubt, the best replacement option is a dental implant.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from titanium, a biocompatible implant material which encourages the fusion of implant and bone. The implant is surgically anchored into the jaw and provides a foundation for restoration. It is this foundation which will preserve jaw bone and adjacent teeth and provide a long term successful solution to tooth loss. The placement of the dental implant is a surgical procedure and should be completed by a surgical specialist such as the surgeons at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery who are experienced and skilled in the successful placement of dental implants. Each surgeon works closely with a patient’s general dentist to coordinate a treatment plan. In most cases, the oral surgeon will surgically extract teeth, prepare the jaw for implants with bone grafting if necessary, and finally surgically place the implants and abutments. A patient’s general dentist will complete a treatment plan by restoring the site with either a crown, bridge, or dentures.

When facing the need to replace missing teeth, the surgeons at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery want to reduce a patient’s anxiety and encourage them to opt for dental implants that will provide the foundation for the successful restoration of functionality and appearance as well as preservation of jaw bone. For more information about dental implants or the surgeons at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, please visit texasoralsurgery.com.

Wisdom teeth surgery can be a scary proposition for many young patients who have never undergone IV anesthesia or any type of surgery. At Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we encourage our patients to have confidence that all will be okay and that the removal of their wisdom teeth will be easier than anticipated. Our board-certified oral surgeons at NWOMS are highly trained and experienced in the administration of anesthesia and the extraction of wisdom teeth. To make the whole process go as smoothly as possible, we recommend the following:

Arrive at the oral surgeon’s office on time and with an empty stomach! If you didn’t follow pre-op instructions regarding food and drink, you will not be able to have surgery. Many people, including your caregiver and surgeon, will be disappointed, to say the least!

Your surgical assistant and surgeon will prepare you for surgery and will administer your intravenous anesthesia. Before you know it, you will be asleep and your wisdom teeth will be removed.

While you recover in the operatory, you will be closely monitored by your surgical assistant. Meanwhile, your surgeon will visit with your parent(s)/caregiver and review post-op instructions. Soon, you will be released, wheeled to your car and on your way home.

Once you are home, it is time to rest and recover. When lying down, keep your head elevated. Apply ice packs to your face. You can use a zip-top bag filled with ice, gel ice packs or even bags of frozen peas and corn. Apply the ice packs for 30 minutes at a time with a 10-minute break in between application.

Change the gauze out every hour as long as there is bleeding.

Follow your surgeon’s instructions for pain medication. Numbness will wear off within 6 to 10 hours. You may only need to take ibuprofen for the pain. Or you may need the stronger narcotic. Keep in mind that the narcotic may cause nausea and vomiting, especially when taken on an empty stomach.

You will probably be a little hungry, too. Drink cool liquids such as apple juice, Gatorade or water. (Don’t drink from straw, though.) Once liquids are tolerated, you can enjoy some soft food such as jello, pudding or ice cream. Strive to eat and drink normally to prevent dehydration and loss of energy.

Brush teeth as you normally would, but be careful around the surgical sites. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water about 5 or 6 times a day.

On Day 3, you can begin to use moist heat (a warm, damp towel) to help with swelling.

Refrain from strenuous physical activity for about 5 to 7 days post-op. This includes football, cheer, dance and band practice/performance. We will give you a doctor’s note to excuse you from participation.

Refer to the specific post-op instructions that were included in your take-home bag. Call your surgeon’s office if you have any questions or concerns. See below for what is normal and what is not:

Normal:

• Bleeding that can be controlled
• Swelling and bruising
• Dry and/or numb lips and stiff jaw muscle
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slight elevation of temperature
• Lightheadedness or dizziness

Concern:

• Uncontrolled bleeding
• No gradual improvement
• Persistence of pain
• Worsening of swelling

We look forward to seeing you at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Visit texasoralsurgery.com for even more information!

Welcome to Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Our priority is to provide compassionate care in the safest surgical environment. Thank you for choosing our practice for your wisdom teeth surgery. Teens and young adults can prepare for surgery by following the guidelines listed below:

• No eating or drinking after midnight prior to surgery. This is for your safety. The risk of administering anesthesia on a “full stomach” is regurgitation and subsequent obstruction of your airway. This is a very serious complication. Don’t risk it.
• Be honest about the over-the-counter and prescribed medications that you take. Help us avoid unpleasant or unsafe interactions with anesthesia.
• Be honest about recreational drug and alcohol use. Believe it or not, a body which is accustomed to drugs and alcohol will pose different challenges. Help us prepare in advance for this challenge.
• Do not smoke for 12 hours prior to surgery. Better yet, just don’t smoke!
• Get your room at home ready for your recovery. Charge your tablet, find the remote and gather your pillows. You will be resting for a couple of days, so make the most of it.
• Stock up on the right food to eat when you return home. We suggest ice cream, smoothies, mashed potatoes and other soft foods.
• Arrive at the office in comfortable clothing such as sweat pants and t-shirts. Do not wear contacts — opt for glasses instead.
• Young ladies should pull their hair back, remove nail polish and jewelry, and leave the lipstick at home. You are beautiful just the way you are!
• Bring your parent(s) to the surgery appointment. You can’t drive yourself home! Your parent or guardian must stay in our office for the duration of your procedure.
• And, finally, when the surgical assistant summons you from the waiting room, turn your phone off and hand it to your parent(s.) You can’t take the phone in the operatory. You will survive the separation!

If you have additional questions, visit our website for location information and contact your surgeon’s office. We will be happy to help you.

Is it time to have your wisdom teeth removed?

A board-certified oral surgeon is the most qualified dental professional to perform the surgery.

Wisdom teeth are your third molars, and you definitely do not need them. They can cause many problems including crowding and shifting of your straight teeth. Having your wisdom teeth removed when you are young is generally less complicated making recovery easier.

Call today to make an appointment for your consultation and x-ray.  Once you have your consultation and decide the best course of action, you can schedule your surgery.  Our summer schedules fill up fast, so don’t wait! Contact one of our 5 participating locations* to schedule your free wisdom teeth consultation with one of our 6 participating doctors*.

*Offer good through June 30, 2017 at any of our participating locations. Participating locations and doctors include:

• Dr. Justin Liska at our Conroe location
• Dr. Clark, Dr. Unterman and Dr. Hoffman at our Technology Forest location
• Dr. Repa at our Sterling Ridge location
• Dr. Williams at our Louetta location
• Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Liska at our Huntsville location

“As with any surgery…it is essential that patients, as key members of their healthcare team, take an active role in their treatment choices and ask the following questions before selecting a dental specialist and office for their procedure…”

Having oral surgery? Click here for a list of questions from Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons on What to Ask Before Your Dental Surgery.

We strive to provide the highest possible patient care here at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and we are always pleased when we hear from our patients that we were able to exceed their expectations. Here’s a wonderful testimonial from one of Dr. Williams’ patients that illustrates the level of care we strive for with each patient.

We get it! Oral surgery isn’t fun. It’s no “walk in the park.” And while we can’t guarantee that it will be “easy as pie,” we can promise that you will be cared for by highly trained and experienced Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in a safe surgical environment. And when it is all said and done, your recovery will likely be expeditious and uneventful.

Your dentist may have offered to extract your wisdom teeth, to place dental implants, or perform other oral surgeries for you. How easy would that be? After all, your dentist is qualified to perform some dental surgery as part of his/her dental training. But, why would you agree to allow your general dentist to perform oral surgery? Consider this. Would you agree to let your family practitioner set a broken leg? Would you ask a handyman to rewire your entire electrical system in your home? It’s doubtful. Chances are that you would seek out a specialist to perform these functions. Oral surgery shouldn’t be any different. An oral & maxillofacial surgeon focuses solely on surgical procedures to treat his patients. He or she has the highest credentials, surgical skills, education, experience and judgment to perform a safe and successful procedure.

At Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our oral surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Board certification is attained through years of dental school, residency, board examination and continuing education and is the marker that he/she has achieved the highest standards in the profession. And unlike a general dentist, Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are qualified and certified to administer IV anesthesia which allows for a comfortable surgical procedure in most cases.

So before you ask your dentist to perform surgical procedures, check us out at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. We have eight surgeons, six office locations, and we accept most major dental insurances. Feel free to contact us through the website or call the office that is most convenient to you. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Dwyer | Clark | Repa | Williams | Unterman | Lalani | Hoffman* | Liska*

*Board certification anticipated in Summer 2018.

If your wisdom teeth are starting to cause pain it’s probably time to have them looked at. There are a few reasons why your wisdom teeth might be hurting you, and the majority of those reasons indicate that wisdom teeth removal is needed.

Most people have their wisdom teeth removed because they simply don’t have room to grow in without becoming impacted or shifting other teeth. No matter the reason, wisdom teeth rarely cause pain unless there is something wrong.

5 Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain:

• Growing Pains: If your wisdom teeth are hurting, it could simply be them growing in. When they break through the gums it can cause pain, slight swelling and soreness.
• Cavity: Due to lack of space, wisdom teeth often grow in very close to neighboring teeth. This tight space is hard to clean making it a prime spot for cavities to form.
• Impacted Tooth: If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted it can cause swelling, pain when chewing or biting, pain in the jaw and difficulty opening your mouth.
• Cyst Development: When a wisdom tooth is impacted a cyst can form at the impacted tooth’s follicle causing pain (and damage) in the tooth and jawbone.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease is more likely to form on wisdom teeth because their location and lack of space make them harder to clean.

Here are some ways to relieve pain from wisdom teeth:

Wisdom Teeth Removal: Having your wisdom teeth removed is the best way to fix any wisdom tooth related issues and prevent any future problems. However, if your wisdom teeth are already causing you pain, you’ll need to ease the pain naturally until your appointment rolls around.

Cold Compress/Ice: A cold compress or ice pack can help temporarily dull the ache in your jaw.

Ibuprofen/Aspirin: An anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen or aspirin, will help control the pain. Just make sure you don’t take more than the recommended daily dosage.

Benzocaine: There are many different brands of mouth numbing gels made of benzocaine. You can use any benzocaine agent to dull the pain in your gums, even Baby Orajel.

If you think you are experiencing pain from your wisdom teeth you should schedule an appointment to have them checked out as soon as possible. Wisdom teeth removal is the best way to cure and prevent any wisdom tooth related oral health problems. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or visit our website at www.texasoralsurgery.com.

Dr. David Hoffman and Dr. Justin Liska join growing practice

Dr. David Hoffman

The Woodlands, TX – 8.2.16 – Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery proudly announces the addition of two new surgeons at its growing practice. Dr. David Hoffman and Dr. Justin Liska recently joined the staff, which now includes nine surgeons practicing at six area locations.

“We couldn’t be more pleased about the addition of these two surgeons,” said Dr. Stephen Dwyer of the Conroe location. Both surgeons recently completed their

Dr. Justin Liska

oral and maxillofacial surgery residencies and are trained, experienced and equipped to practice the full scope of their specialty, which includes wisdom teeth extractions, dental implant placement, oral pathology and orthognathic surgeries.

Dr. Justin Liska, a native Houstonian and graduate of Texas A&M, will practice in Conroe with Dr. Dwyer. Dr. David Hoffman, a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and the University of Kentucky, will practice in The Woodlands – Technology Forest with Dr. M. James Clark and Dr. Brian Unterman.

“With the addition of two new surgeons, patients will have more options and flexibility when scheduling consultations or surgical procedures,” explains Dr. Clark. Historically, Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery has closed at noon on Wednesdays. With the addition of Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Liska, the Conroe and Technology Forest offices will remain open on Wednesday afternoons to accommodate its patients’ busy schedules.

About Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery works closely and cooperatively with referring general dentists, orthodontists and prosthodontists to ensure the most successful outcome of a surgical treatment plan. For more information about Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Justin Liska and Dr. David Hoffman, please visit texasoralsurgery.com.