Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery Blog

Did you know that over one million Americans receive dermal fillers each year? According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, this makes dermal fillers one of the most popular non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

Orthognathic surgery — more often called jaw surgery — corrects mild and severe irregularities in the jaw. Surgery can also help realign the jaws and teeth so that your mouth functions properly. Depending on why you need surgery, you might notice that surgery also has a few aesthetic benefits (like correcting an open bite). 

Did you know that your third molars can emerge anywhere from the age of 17 to 25? According to the American Dental Association, this is when most individuals see these molars — more often called wisdom teeth — emerge.

It’s no wonder that 500,000 individuals choose dental implants to restore missing teeth each year. That’s right! One-half million people receive dental implants annually, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dental implants are aesthetically pleasing, strong, dependable — and allow you to speak clearly and eat comfortably. 

Missing several teeth isn’t just a cosmetic concern — it can significantly impact your oral health. The good news is that you have plenty of options for restoring your smile. Dentures and implants are the most commonly discussed options, but they aren’t the only option. All-On-4 implants are another option that combines the coverage of dentures with the strength of an implant.

If you have a missing tooth, it can be difficult to chew or even speak properly. A dental implant can replace your missing tooth while enhancing the appearance of your smile. Dental implants are strong, easy to care for, and aesthetically pleasing.

If taking a big bite out of your dinner makes your jaw click — or worse, lock up — it’s time to consider treatments for your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort.

Losing a permanent tooth or teeth is traumatic. Not only have you lost an essential body part, it’s a body part that’s highly visible. The gap in your gums leaves you open to infection, and to ridicule. You might start hiding your smile, or even avoiding social events, so that you don’t have to reveal the hole in your pearly rows.

If you suffer from jaw abnormalities, or your teeth are severely misaligned, you can endure a host of dental and medical problems, from trouble speaking to difficulty breathing. Luckily, the doctors at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery can restore your smile and oral health with surgical orthodontic treatments, which can fix jaw and alignment problems.

Last month we had the pleasure of having Dr. Joe Blaes as our speaker for our first CE lecture of the year. Dr. Blaes is passionate about teaching dentists all over the country to understand the patient’s wants before addressing their needs. Discovering the patient’s concerns at the start of the appointment helps to create the treatment plan with them rather than for them. The key is to develop a trusting relationship.