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Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last teeth to develop in the adult dentition around age 16 – 19.The so called, “age of wisdom”. Due to many factors, mostly genetic, young patients often don’t have enough room for these teeth to erupt into a proper and healthy position. A healthy tooth must erupt fully level with the adjacent teeth, function for chewing and be totally cleansable on all surfaces. Wisdom teeth often don’t meet these requirements and become problematic. Tooth decay, gum disease, infection and damage to adjacent teeth are often the result of wisdom teeth that do not fit.
It is best to evaluate wisdom teeth in the mid-late teen years prior to full development of the roots. Removal times vary more by jaw size, tooth position and root development than patient age. In general, evaluation of third molars by exam and panoramic x-ray is advised before age 19.

At Oral Surgeons Associates we have worked for years to fine tune the process of wisdom tooth removal. We place great effort on minimally invasive and gentle surgical technique for improved post-op recovery. Our staff also places a great emphasis on patient comfort to ease anxiety. Call for a consultation to discuss the process.

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is gently removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.

The use of a Socket Preservation Graft into fresh extraction sockets is a means to preserve bone shape and volume following an extraction. Bone begins to shrink following the extraction of teeth. If an immediate or delayed implant is anticipated to replace that tooth, a Socket Preservation Graft may be used to fill the socket. Various bone mineral compounds are used to fill sockets. You may speak to Dr. Rissolo to select the process best for your treatment. If you anticipate a future implant, please inform our desk staff prior to your appointment and we will arrange for an antibiotic Rx at your pharmacy.

Bone grafting procedures are used in implant dentistry to restore adequate volume and shape of the tooth supporting bone which often occurs after the loss of teeth. It is important for the long term health and function of your dental implant to re-establish this tooth supporting bone. Implants placed into an adequate volume of healthy bone can better withstand mechanical chewing forces and resist bacterial plaque. Strong implants in healthy bone can actually be stronger than the original teeth they replace. There are many different types of graft material and many techniques used to create implant supporting bone. Each has unique advantages, clinical use and risk. Today we are able to grow bone and repair most post extraction bone loss allowing most patients to receive dental implants. Bone grafting enables us to place implants closer to proper length and width of the missing tooth root and also place implants in areas where previous to grafting they would not be possible.

An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to fully pass through the gums for various reasons.
Impacted wisdom and cuspid (or canine) teeth are fairly common. To correct impacted teeth, there are a few treatment options. For impacted wisdom, the most common procedure is extraction. For impacted canine teeth, several treatment modalities are available. Treatment can involve orthodontics (braces) to allow open spaces for proper eruption, a visit to the oral surgeon to remove over retained primary (baby) teeth or to surgically expose the tooth and place an orthodontic bracket to help bring it down into proper alignment.

Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to treat facial injuries. Four to six years of training after dental school, OMF surgeons have extensive hands on training to manage all types of Bone and Soft Tissue injuries of the face and mouth. An in depth understanding of occlusion and skeletal bone support to the face qualifies us to manage these complex injuries.
Dr. Rissolo treats injuries to orbits, cheek bones, upper, lower jaw and mouth in and out of Norwalk Hospital.

A sinus lift is a surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the premolar and molar areas of your mouth . To add bone, an incision is made where the premolar and molar teeth were previously. Once the bone is exposed, a small circular shape is made in the bone to access the sinus. Once the sinus is accessed, the sinus membrane is gently pushed up and away from the upper jaw. Once this is done, bone graft material is filled into the space where the sinus was previously. Once the bone is in place, the incision is closed and the healing process begins.

Oral and maxillofacial pathology refers to the diseases of the mouth and the jaw. Treatment options vary based on the patient’s specific needs.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is similar to a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.
To treat TMJ disorders, first the cause has to be identified. In less severe cases TMJ disorders can be treated with self-managed care (easting soft foods, using ice packs, avoiding extreme jaw movement) or nonsurgical treatments (anti-inflammatory medications, stabilization splints). In severe cases surgical treatments (jaw joint replacements) may be necessary.

TMJ conditions fall into three main categories:

Myofascial pain which involves discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function.
Internal derangement of the joint that can mean a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle.
Arthritis which is degenerative inflammatory disorder.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), a growth factor, is a mixed gel that can be applied directly into tooth sockets and other sites. The use of PRP in tooth sockets after tooth extractions is capable of improving soft tissue healing and positively influencing bone regeneration.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a new approach to tissue regeneration. PRP derives from the centrifugation of a patient’s own blood and contains growth factors that influence wound healing. This is important in tissue repairing mechanisms. The use of PRP in surgical practice could have beneficial outcomes, reducing bleeding and enhancing soft tissue healing and bone regeneration.