Wisdom teeth are commonly referred to as third molars. Your third molars are the last teeth to develop and are located in the back of your mouth. The Wisdom Teeth are completely developed between the teenage years or early twenties, a time associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.

Dr. First performs single tooth extractions to a full mouth extraction depending on the patient's specific needs. In most cases, the general dental office will have a provisional (temporary) partial denture or a full denture sent to our office, so that we may be able to place this for the patient at the time of surgery.

Dental implants are the best treatment option for the replacement of missing teeth. Rather than removable dentures or partials, a dental implant is a long term replacement for your own natural teeth. Dr. First uses a precision technique implant system to place implants in the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. Dr. First works closely with the general dentist from the time of the initial consultation until treatment is complete.

When a tooth is missing, the bone may erode, become weak and may be necessary to have a bone grafting procedure. A bone graft is a step used to enhance the stabilization of a dental implant. Bone grafting material may include the patient's own bone to a Bone Bank Facility. We incorporate a procedure called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) which we use the patient's own blood to maximize the success of the bone grafting procedure.

After a tooth extraction, the gum tissue will heal down in the socket before the bone heals in completely. To aid in the prevention of bone resorption, the extraction site is filled with a bone graft material, which reduces gum shrinkage, or the socket maybe isolated with a membrane which aids in the prevention of gum down growth.

The need for a Sinus Lift Procedure (Sinus Augmentation) is dependent upon the anatomy of the maxillary jaw bone. To ensure the success of a dental implant in the maxillary arch, it is necessary to have at least 5mm of bone width and at least 7mm of bone height. A Sinus Lift Procedure aids in an attempt to provide the bone mass needed. The healing time of at least six months is required. After the area has healed, the implant process may begin.

To plan for this type of surgery involves input from a team of professionals. The team members include; The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Orthodontist and in some cases a speech and language therapist. The main goal in having Orthognathic surgery is to obtain a correct bite, aesthetic face and an enlarged airway. This surgery most often does not require cutting of the skin, instead, going through the inside of the mouth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Dr. Benjamin First) step in where few other doctors specialize in facial trauma and facial reconstruction. Facial Trauma and the need for Facial Repair are caused by; car accidents, gun shot wounds, boating accidents, explosions and machinery accidents. Facial injury repairs are performed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who can give the patient proper treatment, with specialized emergency care to aid in the reconstruction of the patients face. By the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon treating these injuries, this can often influence the patient's long-term function and their appearance. Dr. Benjamin First has the highest level of expertise which is needed to perform these procedures.

In some cases it is necessary to remove extra bone commonly known as Tori or Exostosis. An incision is made, the extra bone is removed and the incision is then the incision is closed with sutures that dissolve with time. With this complete, this will enhance the fit of your new dentures or partials.

In some cases it is necessary to remove extra bone commonly known as Tori or Exostosis. An incision is made, the extra bone is removed and the incision is then the incision is closed with sutures that dissolve with time. With this complete, this will enhance the fit of your new dentures or partials.

The mouth is an area where changes are easily seen. Oral cancers are able to be detected in their early stages. It is important to perform a self examination on a regular basis. This will help the recognition and detect oral cancer, which will increase your chances for a cure.

To perform a self examination, you will need a bright light and a mirror:

Remove any partials or dentures.
Look at the front of your gums and lips.
You will need to angle your head back to inspect and touch the roof of your mouth.
Stretch out your cheek to see the inside surface and the back of the gums.
Feel both sides of your neck and under your jaw bone for any lumps or enlarged glands.

If you notice any changes that concern you contact our office for an evaluation.

The Temporomandibular Joint is the small joint located in front of your ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. This joint permits the lower jaw to function and move. The range of treatment ranges from conservative treatment to a complex medical surgery. Depending on the patient's diagnosis treatment would include; a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for pain and muscle relaxation. Other treatment may include a bite splint therapy and/or stress management therapy.

If someone close to you has told you of your loud snoring, you wake up gasping for air and wake up abruptly, you could have sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

Snoring with pauses in breathing (apnea)
Excessive daytime drowsiness
Gasping or choking during sleep
Restless sleep
Problems with mental function
Poor judgement / can't focus
Memory loss
Quick to anger
High blood pressure
Nighttime chest pain
Depression
Problem with excess weight
Large neck (>17" around in men, >16"in women)
Airway crowding
Morning headaches
Reduced Libido
Frequent trips to the bathroom at night

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, call our office for an evaluation.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth. There are several causes of a cleft lip and / or cleft palate which include; genes passed down from either one or both of the parents, drug use, a virus, or toxins. Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate are usually detected at birth and can be treated. Call our office today for a consultation.

Cosmetic Surgeries Including:

Blepharoplasty is a surgical modification of the eyelid. Excess tissue such as skin and fat are removed or repositioned, and surrounding muscles and tendons may be reinforced. It can be both a cosmetic and a functional surgery.

Forehead Lift commonly referred to as a forehead lift allows the patient to obtain a younger, more refreshed look. This procedure reduces frown lines, smoothing the forehead which can make a patient look as much as 10 years younger.

Cheek Augmentation allows you to have full cheeks and prominent cheek bones which can make you look younger and more appealing. If your cheeks are hollow, your face may look older than it actually is. As we age, we may lose fullness, especially in the cheek area. If this should happen to you, you could be an ideal candidate for cheek augmentation.

Call our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation.

There are two different types of a Frenectomy:

Lingual frenum is located under the tongue and in some cases located at the tip of the tongue. This type of frenum can interfere with speech and proper tooth development. The lingual frenectomy is a common procedure in children that are "tongue tied" and is referred to a clipping of the tongue. After this treatment is performed the tongue can usually be completely extended and fully mobile.

Labial frenum is located attached to the upper lip. If this frenum is attached too far, it can cause a gap between the front teeth and cause the gums to recede. Also, denture patients have their labial frenum removed to allow a proper denture fit.

Call our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Normally, all of our permanent teeth have erupted by the early teenage years. There are times some teeth do not erupt fully in the mouth, commonly known as impacted teeth. An impacted tooth can have a bracket bonded to the tooth enabling the Orthodontist to guide the tooth safely into the mouth over a period of time. Leaving a tooth impacted could cause resorption of adjacent teeth as well as the development of cysts and tumors.

Call our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation.