Excellent dental implants in Charlotte NC

Dental implants are considered to be a minor form of oral surgery, and for that reason an implant dentist is not required to be an oral or maxillofacial surgeon to perform the procedure.  In fact, dental implants these days are becoming so common that virtually every cosmetic dentist is also serving as an implant dentist.  Indeed, you will find cosmetic dentists performing implant surgery in the fanciest boutique dental offices of New York City and Tokyo, and you will find implant dentistseven in relatively small cities of developing nations.  Dental implants are everywhere, and that is largely because they are a highly affective procedure with a 95 percent success rate. 

Is it better to go to an oral surgeon for implant surgery?

Oral surgeons, also known as maxillofacial surgeons, undergo the same stringent training as any other surgical doctor. The only difference is that oral surgeons focus on procedures having to do with the head, neck, face, oral cavity and teeth.  Thus, they do surgeries involving dental implants, but they also perform corrective surgery for sleep apnea; reconstructive facial surgery after traumatic accidents; jaw surgery to correct major bite and teeth alignment deformities; and many other surgical procedures.

Whether or not a person prefersan implant dentist or an oral surgeon for their dental implants may be a personal decision, butother times an oral surgeon may be a medical necessity. For example, some individuals lack sufficient amounts of jawbone density in order to be a candidate for dental implants. In such cases, an oral surgeon can perform a bone grafting operation to build up the jawbone so it can successfully receive the dental implants. In cases such as complicated implantation procedures involving facial trauma or defect, a maxillofacial surgeon will perform the oral surgery to work conjunction with other reconstructive procedures which need to be completed. Still, in other situations, an individual may simply feel more comfortable having an oral surgeon provide their implant dentistry. Maybe the person has received services from the oral surgeon in the past and they are comfortable with him, or maybe they simply like the idea of having a maxillofacial surgeon perform their procedure.

Contact an oral surgeon in Charlotte NCfor your implant surgery now

Dental implants with an implant dentist who is also an oral surgeon are convenient for Charlotte NC residents. They can contact Dr. Kevin Bond at Southpark Oral Surgery to find out more about implant procedures and jawbone building bone grafting procedures. You can visit their website at www.southparkoralsurgery.com, which has a wealth of information regarding implant dentistry and all the other maxillofacial procedures Dr. Kevin Bond specializes in. Complete their online form now if you would like to schedule an immediate consultation regarding dental implants.

Sleep apnea: A problem to lose sleep over

Sleep problems like sleep apnea are serious conditions that can sometimes lead to death. A lot of Charlotte NC residents have probably heard about sleep apnea, but a common misconception is that sleep apnea is the same as snoring. While many people suffering from sleep apnea do snore, there are also millions of snorers who could keep sawing their logs all through the night and never experience any kind of sleep-related difficulties. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is a serious condition.  Once you learn more about it, and especially if have a loved one who suffers from sleep apnea, you too might start to lose some sleep over the problem. 

Sleep apnea and its various forms

Generally, sleep apnea is a medical condition which causes people to stop breathing while they are sleeping, which not surprisingly prevents them from getting a good night of rest. Sleep apnea also leads to a whole host of sleep problems and also other kinds of debilitating conditions, like heart disease. But sleep apnea comes in many different forms. Before your oral surgeon can recommend a treatment plan for your sleep apnea, he or she must determine the kind of sleep apnea you suffer. 

Obstructive or central sleep apnea

Primarily, there are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is generally a mechanical problem that involves an obstruction, or obstructions, in the airways which prevent a person from breathing properly at night. It could be a soft palate issue or anasal passages issue preventing the free flow of air into the lungs of a sleeping person. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, is a little bit different. Rather than a problem within the air passages, central sleep apnea is more of a problem in the brain and central nervous system. It is an issue with the unconscious part of the brain which normally tells the body to breathe. For a variety of reasons, with central sleep apnea the brain simply fails to tell the body when it is time to breathe, and the person will go for periods of time without breathing. Sleep apnea, either obstructive apnea or central sleep apnea, certainly interrupts a good night of sleep, but it can be very dangerous!

Unfortunately, sleep problems do not stop with breathing problems. When a person does not breathe properly at night, he is at risk for heart disease, and possibly even a heart attack. For this reason, sleep apnea is a condition that must be treated as soon as it is detected. Individuals suffering from sleep apnea usually respond favorably to treatment, which can immeasurably extend both the length and quality of their lives.

Get the professional help you need for your sleep problems in Charlotte NC

Sleep problems can be transformed into sleeping soundly for people in Charlotte NC.  Sufferers of sleep problems can visit oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Kevin Bond at Southpark Oral Surgery for an evaluation of the causes and potential treatment options. For more information about sleep apnea and sleep problems, visit Southpark Oral Surgery and arrange for an appointment to meet with Dr. Kevin Bond to discuss your sleep problems.

Tooth extraction the easy way in Charlotte NC

Tooth extraction is not a phrase that people in Charlotte NC enjoy.  Indeed, nobody likes the idea of losing a tooth, but for some of us there is no choice.  Chances are you have had your wisdom teeth removed, or you will, in your early 20s.  Actually, for many of us in modern times, having our wisdom teeth removed is our very first experience of teeth removal.  But as we age, so do our teeth, and sometimes the best option for oral health is tooth extraction. 

The dreaded past and the wonderful present of teeth removal

Tooth extraction is a lot easier these days than in the time of your grandparents.  You may have heard stories from older relatives, read in books, or even experienced for yourself, that in the not-so-distant past, teeth removal was a dreadful experience.  With the dentistry techniques of old, a patient was lucky if he or she had some sort of sedation like Novocain, one of the many blessings we enjoy as patients today. 

Yes, the story is thankfully very different today.  In fact, with modern sedation dentistry techniques, going through a tooth removal procedure can be as relaxing and pain-free as a walk in the park.  Perhaps even more relaxing, considering the anxiety-reducing medication available to dentists and oral surgeons who have become skilled at making patient fears and worries disappear at the drop of a hat. 

That is just what you will find at Southpark Oral Surgery, the Charlotte NC oral surgery practice of Dr. Kevin Bond.  At Southpark Oral Surgery, they employ the most advanced in modern oral surgical techniques combined with sedation dentistry, in an extremely comfortable environment that will make you wonder why anyone could have ever had reservations about visiting a dentist or oral surgeon.

Tooth extraction and sedation dentistry

Sedation dentistry typically involves the simple action of taking a pill that brings you into a state of serene calm so that a tooth removal procedure can be done with comfort and ease.  Additionally, as with the removal of wisdom teeth, the procedure is usually done with the use of local anesthesia and possibly laughing gas (nitrous oxide).  Though in more complex cases or for patients who are so fearful there is no other option, wisdom teeth and other teeth may be removed by an oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon with the patient under local anesthesia. 

What to expect after a tooth removal procedure is performed

At Southpark Oral Surgery, most patients come out of sedation with little or no memory of the experience because of the curious way sedation dentistry inhibits memory.  But your participation in the overall process will not end there.  In all likelihood, you will stay under the watchful eye of attending nurses for a short time, while you gently bite down on gauze to keep any bleeding under control. You will then go home with a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics.  Finally, about a week later, you will return to have your sutures removed.

Where to go for tooth extraction from an oral surgeon

Tooth extraction in Charlotte NC is best performed by Dr. Kevin Bond at Southpark Oral Surgery.  To find out more about tooth removal by an oral surgeon and sedation dentist, visit the nearest oral surgeon in South Charlotte today!

Oral surgeons in Charlotte NC: What to expect

Oral surgeons are an unknown commodity to most dentistry patients, so when their general dentist recommends an oral surgeon for a specific procedure, it comes as a surprise which brings fears and reservations.  However, there is nothing better at wiping away patient fears than a little bit of education, and that is why the expert staff at Southpark Oral Surgery in Charlotte NC do everything they can to keep patients informed from the moment they walk through the door.  Of course, it always helps to have a little bit of background information before you experience something new as well, so here are a few things about oral surgeons that may interest you.

Maxillofacial surgeon.  What?

An oral surgeon is just as it sounds, a surgeon who specializes in everything that has to do with the oral cavity.  Oral surgeons are also called maxillofacial surgeons. They routinely perform a wide variety of surgical procedures related to the head, jaw, and even the neck.  In that sense, oral surgery is not just about teeth, gums and the jaw but also includes such treatments as sleep apnea procedures and facial trauma surgery.

Sleep apnea procedures by a maxillofacial surgeon

Many oral surgeons perform surgery to help patients who suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that affects your airways and your ability to breathe while sleeping.  In many cases, an oral surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon can do wonders for sleep apnea patients, though treatment will likely begin with non-surgical techniques designed to help avoid surgery altogether.  For example, at Southpark Oral Surgery in Charlotte NC, oral surgeon Dr. Kevin Bond may recommend that patients utilize a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, machine, which assists in keeping a positive airflow to assist breathing in a slumbering patient. 

As far as sleep apnea surgical options go, your maxillofacial surgeon will need to perform a thorough examination and ex-rays before recommending the best of many different kinds of procedures that may help correct the problem.  One type of surgery is called uvulo-palato-pharyngo-plasty (UPPP), which is indeed a mouthful in its own right.  In this procedure, your oral surgeon makes surgical changes to your soft palate at the back of your throat.  This serves to free up your air passages at night so you can sleep better.

Facial trauma surgery

Maxillofacial surgeons also assist patients who have suffered from injuries to the bones of the face and skull, injuries to the teeth, and injuries to the soft tissues of the face sustained in a car accident or some other kind of trauma.  To treat jaw or other facial fractures, an oral surgeon may wire the teeth together, for example.  An oral surgeon can also tend to broken or misplaced teeth, for example, by splinting them or wiring them back into place so that proper healing may take place.  Finally, lacerations and other soft tissue wounds can be sutured and tended different ways by an oral surgeon. 

Visit an oral surgeon right here in Charlotte, NC

Dr. Kevin Bond from Southpark Oral Surgery is a highly trained oral surgeon experienced in diagnosing and treating all manner of oral, facial, head, neck, and jaw conditions.  If you live in Charlotte NC or south Charlotte, you can make an appointment to visit Dr. Kevin Bond and his expert staff right now by visiting Southpark Oral Surgery.

TMJ Treatment in Charlotte NC

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, is a very common disorder of the jaw. It is usually caused by trauma to the jaw or arthritis. The temporomandibular joints are located on both sides of the head, which aids in chewing and speaking. When the jaw becomes misaligned, muscular and nerve tissues may form around the joints, making it painful.

How do you know if you have TMJ Disorder? Some of the symptoms that maxillofacial surgeons look for are ear pain, headaches, tenderness of the jawbone and the areas surrounding the jaw. Opening and closing the mouth can be difficult - even painful - and clicking sounds may be heard.

There are many ways to treat TMJ Disorder. It all depends on the case and the extent of the disorder. Treatments include (but are not limited to) stress management, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and the like. Jaw exercises are highly recommended and patients may need to use a clear plastic night guard to control teeth grinding. However, if none of these non-surgical treatments work, jaw surgery may be the best option.

If you are looking for a skilled maxillofacial specialist, book an appointment in Southpark Oral Surgery and ask about TMJ Disorder treatments.

Jaw Surgery Changes Lives in Charlotte NC

Orthognatic surgery, otherwise known as jaw surgery, is an option for patients with teeth misalignment that cannot be fixed by braces alone. Patients who go through this procedure are put under general anesthesia since the oral surgeon needs to make a cut in the jaw bone to place the jaw in proper alignment. After the surgery, patients will still need to use braces to complete the process of teeth alignment.

More often than not, your oral surgeon will work with other dental specialists throughout the process of teeth alignment. This is to make sure that the patient will be given only the best result. Before the surgery, patients should expect to wear braces for some time to prepare the teeth for surgery. A 3 to 5-day stay in the hospital should also be expected post-surgery to assure proper recovery.

Jaw surgery is very complex, which is why it is important that you have it done by a skilled oral surgeon. Dr. Kevin Bond and his professional team in Southpark Oral Surgery is an oral surgeon that has skillfully worked on complicated cases. If you want to improve your smile, try giving them a call to book an appointment.

Oral Surgery and Sedation Dentistry in Charlotte NC

Dentists will all agree that the fear of pain, not pain itself, wards of people from dental clinics. This is why sedation techniques have been developed to help patients calm their patients down when going through a dental procedure.

It's normal to feel scared about undergoing a dental procedure. Statistics show that one out of ten suffer from dental anxiety and these people would rather live with the pain than go to a dentist to have the problem fixed. The question is, what are these people afraid of? Some people are afraid of the thought of getting a tooth extraction and the like. Others are afraid of getting a Novocain injection to numb the mouth during the actual procedure. They are, therefore, stuck before they even start with the procedure.

To solve the problem, sedation dentists now give their patients a pill that do not put patients to sleep, but puts them under conscious sedation. The pill basically brings the patient into a dream-like, relaxed state that will help them become less anxious about the procedure.

With new sedation techniques, dental patients no longer have to be afraid of going to the dentist! At Southpark Oral Surgery, Dr. Kevin Bond and his staff can give you a stress-free and fear-free dental visit. All you need to do is ask about their sedation methods.

Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip Repair in Charlotte NC

A cleft lip or a cleft palate affects one out of eight hundred babies. These are two different conditions, but are related to each other since a child can suffer from one or both of them. A cleft palate is when the roof of the mouth did not develop properly; leaving an opening in the roof of the mouth, which causes feeding problems for babies and speech problems for older children. A cleft lip, on the other hand, is a separation from the middle area of the upper lip up to the nose. This causes nostril deformity and can affect the facial appearance. Like a cleft palate, babies may also experience feeding problems and older children may have difficulty in forming sounds.

Fortunately for children who are born with these conditions, a maxillofacial surgeon can do repairs. Children with cleft palate may undergo surgery between seven to eighteen months. During the procedure, the roof of the mouth will be closed and muscles will be reconnected. For children with a cleft lip, they may undergo surgery at around ten years of age. The gap will be closed and other problems in the nostrils will also be fixed to improve the appearance.

Every case is different. If you are interested to have your child's cleft lip or palate corrected, schedule a visit with Dr. Kevin Bond and his staff in Southpark Oral Surgery.

Be more confident with your smile with Dental Implants

There are many reasons why people lose a tooth. In most cases, it is due to age. In some cases, though, it's due to accidents like being knocked in the teeth or getting hit by a hard object. If missing teeth makes you feel less confident, consider getting dental implants to achieve a beautiful smile!

In the past, dentures, bridges, and partials are the only way to deal with missing teeth. With the technology available today, however, dentists now offer dental implants to patients who are worried about missing teeth. All your dentist needs to do is to implant a titanium base to the jaw bone. On the second visit, a prosthetic tooth will be placed on the base; therefore filling in the gap.

The new tooth will look natural and will work just like natural teeth! Interested? Schedule a consultation with Southpark Oral Surgery and ask about dental implants.

Why is wisdom tooth extraction necessary?

A human person's mouth can fit 28 teeth without any problem. However, once a person reaches maturity, wisdom teeth start to break out -- bring the teeth count up to 32. Since the typical human mouth cannot accommodate the increase, crowding happens, which causes some wisdom teeth to become impacted. This, then, causes misalignment. However, for some people, it can get extremely painful.

No matter how painful it can get, some people still don't go for the extraction out of fear. However, wisdom teeth extraction is unavoidable, which is why dentists have come up with various techniques to help their patients through the procedure. In Southpark Oral Surgery, Dr. Kevin Bond and his staff help patients lower their anxiety during wisdom teeth extraction by making use of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). For some cases, they make use of general anesthesia.

Going through a dental procedure can be scary. But, before letting fear get its way, think of your dental needs first. With various techniques dentists now offer, wisdom tooth extraction is no longer something to be afraid of! Say goodbye to your painful wisdom teeth now and schedule a visit with your local dentist.

Why should you visit an oral surgeon?

Oral surgeons are doctors that specialize in maxillofacial surgery; which is surgery that focuses on the mouth, head, jaw, face, and neck. People are usually referred to oral surgeons by their dentists or general doctors if they need a specialist to take a look at their case. Some instances are when a patient suffers from sleep apnea or jaw abnormality, wherein maxillofacial surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

Oral surgeons may also place dental implants by embedding a titanium anchor to the jaw bone where a prosthetic tooth will be attached. In relation to this, oral surgeons can also perform bone grafting for cosmetic patients who do not have enough jaw bone density to accept an implant.

Do you need to see an oral surgeon? You can visit Southpark Oral Surgery in Charlotte NC for all your maxillofacial surgery needs. Dr. Kevin Bond and his team of experts are always ready to help any person achieve a beautiful smile and an improved health.

Have you been feeling extra tired lately?

Are you having sleep problems? Are people complaining about your loud snoring? Like millions of other Americans, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. This condition causes you to stop breathing while you are asleep. As a result, people who suffer from this are interrupted from their sleep constantly.

Sleep apnea is usually linked to illnesses like coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and blood sugar problems such as diabetes. Since it makes your heart work extra hard at night (blood oxygen levels lower when breathing stops, hence making the heart work harder to circulate more oxygen), sleep apnea can cause many heart problems - even strokes.

The usual treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a nasal CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. The patient basically puts a nasal mask on, which then provides constant flow of air; therefore facilitating free and easy breathing throughout the night. If this does not work, oral surgery is another option for people suffering from sleep apnea.

There are several surgical options, all depending on the nature of obstruction. One is called UPPP or uvulo-palato-pharyngo-plasty. In this procedure, the surgeon opens up breathing passages by making changes to the soft palate and throat. Another option is the use of radio-frequency to tighten the soft palate. For more serious conditions, patients will have to stay in the hospital for a day or two to undergo orthognatic surgery wherein changes are made to the structure of the jaw.

End the sleepless nights now! If you live in the Charlotte NC area, you can have your sleep apnea treated by Dr. Kevin Bond of Southpark Oral Surgery. All you need to do is to schedule a consultation so he can give you the proper treatment.

What should you consider before getting jaw surgery?

More often than not, orthodontics can help patients with occlusion issues. However, if orthodontics do not work, then jaw surgery may be the next best option. Jaw surgery, otherwise known as Orthognathic Surgery, is performed by an oral surgeon to reposition the jaws.

Jaw surgery is usually recommended when there is a problem in the size, shape, or position of one or both jaws -- which can cause problems in the facial profile. Jaw abnormalities can also affect health and may cause digestion problems due to improper chewing. More severe abnormalities can lead to sleep apnea, jaw joint problems, and speech impediment.

This irreversible treatment may last up to two years since a patient must go through many stages. Jaw surgery is often paired with orthodontic treatment, which means some teeth will be removed, others will be restored with dental crowns, bridges, or implants, and braces may be placed. Although it may seem like a hassle, it is well worth it since the smile and facial features will be significantly improved.

If you are interested and are looking for a trusted oral surgeon in Charlotte NC, contact Southpark Oral Surgery about their services that target the jaws.

TMJ Treatment in Charlotte NC

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ Disorder) is the pain felt in the jaw joint, which is caused by many factors like aging, disease, trauma, and habitual behaviors. If you hear clicking sounds in the jaw, experience locked jaws, have bite problems, get constant headaches or ear pain, or often feel stiffness in the neck -- you are probably suffering from TMJ.

Humans have two temporomandibular joint located on both sides of the head. It consists of muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. It moves by rotation and helps in chewing and in opening and closing the mouth.

In minor cases of TMJ Disorder, patients can just take counter pain medication. If the pain persists or if locked jaw or a dislocated jaw is experienced, it is important to seek medical help right away. Your local dentist in Charlotte NC may either give you higher doses of pain medicine and apply heat compression or make a splint/bite plate if you are grinding your teeth. Jaw exercises may also be recommended to control the pain. Chewing gum will also be prohibited and it is advised to eat soft food.

If none of the above works, injecting pain medication will be the next option. Local anesthesia will be directly injected to your jaw to lessen the pain.

In some cases, medication and jaw exercises may no longer work. TMJ Disorder caused by major trauma will need surgery. In this procedure, jaw joints will be replaced by artificial implants. This option is irreversible, which is why it is essential to research first and to talk with your dentist.

For more information on Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, visit a dental clinic like Southpark Oral Surgery.

Is it about time to have your wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth are called that way not because they make a person wiser but because they break out when a person reaches around 23 years of age, which is usually referred to as the "age of wisdom." Since all of the teeth already came out by this time, wisdom teeth are given little space to come out. Although some people do not encounter any problems, there are still many whose wisdom teeth cause pain or discomfort. If you are experiencing this, it is best to consult a dentist about tooth extraction.

Why should you have your wisdom teeth removed right away? Wisdom teeth cause pain and discomfort because they did not break out quite right. This means that your teeth are either partially impacted or completely impacted. Problems may be encountered later on if impacted teeth are not removed right away like infections. The best time to remove impacted teeth is before a person reaches 30.

If you are considering tooth extraction, there are many skilled oral surgeons like those in Southpark Oral Surgery who can do the procedure on you.

Finding Trusted Oral Surgeons

If a patient has a problem in the maxillofacial region, the dentist usually refers him/her to an oral surgeon. This type of surgeon usually deals with procedures like teeth extraction, dental implansts, cyst removal, and temporomandibular treatment.

It's true that oral surgery can sound frightening. The mere thought of it will make a lot of people back out. However, it shouldn't be something to be worried about if you find yourself a trusted surgeon. One way of finding a skilled surgeon is through recommendations. You can ask your dentist or you can ask people who went through maxillofacial surgery before and their experiences. Another way of looking for a trusted surgeon is through the internet. There are sites like RateMDs.com, YELP.com, and DrOogle.com that can help you search and filter doctors.

If you are in the Charlotte NC area, however, there are clinics like Southpark Oral Surgery that caters to patients who are looking for skilled oral surgeons. They also offer general dental care.

All About Cleft Lip and Palate

Recent studies show that one or two out of a thousand babies are either born with a cleft lip or a cleft palate. However, this is a birth defect that shouldn't worry any parent because there are already procedures that can correct it. To correct a cleft lip or palate, a maxillofacial and oral surgeon will have to be present during the procedure. The recommended age for a surgery is around 8 to 12 years old and the patient has to be in good condition.

You may ask: "Why should my child undergo this surgery?" Cleft lip or palate correction will significantly improve not just your child's physical appearance but also his/her quality of life. If this is not corrected early on, a cleft lip or palate may cause poor teeth development, middle ear infections, hearing loss, and may even hinder speech development.

If you want to give your child a better life, consider getting his/her cleft lip or palate corrected. All you need to do is to consult with your local oral surgeon for more information on the surgery.

What should I do with my wisdom teeth?

Although the breaking out of wisdom teeth may not be a problem for some, there are still people who complain about feeling pain or discomfort when their wisdom teeth start breaking out.

Wisdom teeth usually come out when a person is between 17 to 25 years old. Since all of our teeth have broken out by this time, little room is left for wisdom teeth to go out. This sometimes results to either a partially impacted wisdom tooth or a completely impacted wisdom tooth. If this is the case for you, you will need to see an oral surgeon who can have your impacted tooth removed. This cannot wait because delay may cause cyst formation, which can lead to tumor growth. You don't want that!

So, if you want to save yourself from more pain and hassle, go to a clinic like Southpark Oral Surgery and have your teeth checked. Remember: prevention is better than cure!