Burbank Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Until the advent of local anesthetics, surgery was a very traumatic and painful experience. The very best surgeons were by no means the gentlest; they were the fastest. General “ether” anesthetics helped alleviate pain but were very dangerous to administer and unpredictable in the dosing. The advent of local anesthetics truly revolutionized in-the-office surgery, particularly […]

Oral cancer remains the 6th deadliest cancer, with 35,000 cases discovered yearly in the United States alone, and only half of those patients surviving 5 years post-diagnosis. The high death rates for oral cancer are contributed to the fact patients do not generally detect signs or symptoms until it has advanced and further metastasizes. Fortunately, […]

The use of lasers in periodontal practice has become a desirable alternative to traditional scalpel surgery; however, a deficiency in published evidence supporting the efficacy of such treatment exists. A recent review by Cobb, Low, and Coluzzi (2010) presents the current peer-reviewed evidence on the use of the most commonly used dental lasers over the […]

Herbal or homeopathic remedies and other forms of integrative medicine (holistic medicine; new ways to treat the mind, body, and spirit—all at the same time) continue to grow in popularity; however, it is critical that you consult our office and/or your physician prior to taking them to ensure they will be safe for you and […]

The impact of laser technology has been rapidly growing since the mid-1960s when it was first introduced in the healthcare sector as a surgical tool. Using LASERS, short for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, we are now able to perform procedures on the soft tissues of the mouth with patients reporting less postoperative […]

One of the speakers at a recent symposium on alveolar grafting and ridge preservation, Thomas B. Dodson, DMD, presented an interesting paper dealing with the effects of mandibular third molar (M3) removal on the periodontal health of the adjacent second molar (M2). He also addressed weather additional surgical procedures at the time of removal such […]

Unless you live in a cave, you are aware of the dangers of smoking. But do you know how much tobacco use impacts your oral health? In addition to staining your teeth, causing bad breath, and increasing the build up of bacterial plaque, it affects your sense of smell and taste. It also greatly increases […]

You may have heard the term “dental implant,” but do you really know what it is? Teeth essentially can be thought of having two main parts: the crown, the part of the tooth that can be seen above the gum tissues, and the root, the part that is suspended in the bone by periodontal ligament […]

If you are scheduling an upcoming surgical procedure, be sure that all of the healthcare professionals involved are aware of any prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and even herbs or home remedies that you are currently taking. This is especially true if you are taking the prescription Fosamax® (alendronate) or another drug in the bisphosphonate […]

You’ve broken or severely damaged a tooth and need an implant…do you know your options? Chances are you don’t which could cause needless worry. We can provide you with all the education you will need to be confident in your decision. In a consultation with our office, you will learn the basics about implant dentistry […]