Face and Jaw Surgery Center

Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells that are carefully bonded to the front of your teeth to enhance the cosmetic appearance (and sometimes function) of your teeth. They are customized to fit precisely, improving the beauty of your smile while maintaining a natural look.

How Can Porcelain Veneers Improve My Smile?

The application of porcelain veneers can drastically transform your smile and inspire confidence in your overall appearance in a number of ways. The following is a list of the problems that porcelain veneers can correct:

• Crooked, chipped or unevenly spaced teeth
• The appearance of too much gum when you smile naturally
• Oddly or unevenly shaped teeth
• Teeth that have been stained by tobacco use, coffee, wine and other substances
• Teeth whose enamel has thinned excessively, leaving a grayish or yellow tinge to their appearance
• Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot or cold
• Teeth that are worn down from age or other factors
• Uneven bite

Porcelain veneers resist stains that often affect natural teeth, including those caused by smoking and drinking acidic liquids like coffee, wine and tea. Normal dental hygiene (including brushing, flossing and routine visits to your dentist) keeps veneers looking like new. When applied by a skilled dental professional, porcelain veneers can last for decades.

What is Involved in the Application of Porcelain Veneers?

The use of porcelain veneers is popular for a variety of reasons, one of which is their ability to provide a brilliantly white and inviting smile without extensive or invasive procedures. A few simple steps are all that is required in order to permanently change your smile for the best:

• A special mold of each tooth is taken in order to customize the fit of the veneers
• The veneers are fabricated and checked for proper fit before application
• The veneers are bonded to the teeth with a powerful bonding adhesive
• The dentist provides the patient with care instructions and will schedule a checkup to ensure overall satisfaction with the veneers

What are the Advantages of Opting for Porcelain Veneers?

The advantages involved in having porcelain veneers applied are innumerable. One of the most important is the aesthetic transformation that occurs instantly upon application. The veneers look like your natural teeth (only healthier and more brilliant), so their presence is undetectable to anyone. Because they resist staining, porcelain veneers remain whiter and brighter than natural teeth. If a stain of any type does appear, it can be easily removed with gentle polishing during a routine visit to the dentist.

Patients who have suffered a lifetime of self-consciousness caused by a less-than-perfect smile are finally able to take pride in their teeth with a radiant set of porcelain veneers.

If you would like to consider porcelain veneers, talk to your family dentist to find out if veneers are right for you

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Why Might Dentures Not Be For You?

Dentures, if not fitted properly or completely adhered, can slip around inside your mouth. This is not only uncomfortable, but can prove to be inconvenient during everyday activities (such as eating and talking). People who wear dentures must also restrict their diet to foods that will not cause their dentures to slide, dislodge, break or chip.

Speech can also be affected over time by wearing dentures. As the jaw bone and gums decrease in size over time, the dentures that were sized to fit before begin to move around more frequently. This can cause the formation of sores and irritation that make it difficult to form words properly.

Dental implants can be a great alternative to dentures. They are permanent, can be done for one tooth or all, and  look and feel the same way as your natural teeth would. Dentures, on the other hand, are removable, can be slightly to severely uncomfortable and impede in regular daily activities.

Why Should You Choose Implants Instead of Dentures?

Dental implants have quickly become a popular and practical way for patients to address the issue of missing teeth, whether it be a matter of one or two here and there or a full set that needs to be replaced. Dental implants offer a permanent solution to these missing teeth, as they are anchored directly to the jawbone. They look and feel like your natural teeth, allowing you to engage in the everyday activities that may have been limited by the use of removable dentures or bridges.

While daily care for dentures quickly becomes tedious and requires the use of specialty creams and rinses, dental implants can be cleaned in the same way that your natural teeth are cleaned. Simple brushing, flossing and routine dental checkups are all that are required in order to ensure that your implants remain looking and feeling like new.

If the bones within your jaws are strong and your gums are healthy but you are missing one or more teeth, you may be an excellent candidate for dental implants. A single implant is able to support one or more replacement teeth. If all of the teeth in the jaw are replaced with false teeth, the dentist will usually place between four and six implants. Depending on the location of the teeth that need to be replaced and your individual situation, your dentist will decide which implant solution is best for you.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by interruptions of breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue in the throat collapses during sleep and blocks the airways. This particular disorder was discovered in 1965 by several different doctors in Europe. It owes its name to the Greek word “apnea” which translates to mean “lack of breath”.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis:

Some of the tests used to diagnose sleep apnea are:

• Polysomnography – This test records a variety of body functions during sleep such as electrical activity of the brain, eye movement, heart rate, muscle activity, air flow, respiratory efforts and blood oxygen levels. A polysomnography is used to diagnose sleep apnea as well as determine the severity of the disorder.
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) – This test measures the speed at which a person falls asleep. The patient is given many opportunities to fall asleep throughout the course of one day when they would normally be awake. The amount of time it takes for the person to fall asleep is measured for each instance. Individuals who fall asleep in less than five minutes are considered for treatment of sleep disorders.

Mild Sleep Apnea Treatments:

If you have mild sleep apnea, these personal lifestyle changes may be all the treatment you need:

• Avoid alcohol and medicines that make you sleepy. They make it harder for your throat to stay open while you sleep.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese. Even a little weight loss can improve your sleep apnea symptoms.
• Sleep on your side instead of your back to help keep your throat open. Use special pillows that prevent you from sleeping on your back.
• Use nasal sprays or allergy medicines to keep your nasal passages open at night.
• Quit smoking. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.

In addition to lifestyle changes, mild sleep apnea can be treated with:

• Dental appliances – These help mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea by repositioning the lower jaw and the tongue. Dental appliances even help patients who snore but do not have sleep apnea.

Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea Treatments

• CPAP Breathing Machine – CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the most common and effective form of non-surgical treatment for sleep apnea. The patient wears a mask which is attached by a hose to an air blower. The air blower feeds continuous and adjustable air pressure into your mouth to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep. There are many different types of CPAP machines, so if one doesn’t work well, you can always try a different type.
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – If nonsurgical approaches fail to help in severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may be the only solution. UPPP is a procedure that consists of removing the tonsils and excess tissue from the uvula and the soft palate at the back of the throat in order to enlarge the upper airway passage and facilitate normal breathing. The uvula is a small, U-shaped piece of tissue that can be seen dangling down from the soft palate over the back of the tongue. Removing the excess tissue that blocks the airway during sleep can prevent the patient from experiencing the side effects of sleep apnea.
• Maxillomandibular advancement –During this surgery your jaws are moved forward which enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate, therefore making obstruction of the airway less likely to occur. This procedure can be combined with another in order to ensure further success in treatment of your sleep apnea.

No-Obligation Consultation

Schedule a no-obligation consultation about sleep apnea treatments with the surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons are specially trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery and treatments and have performed many corrective sleep apnea procedures. They can evaluate your needs and recommend the most effective treatment plan.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Conditions resulting from Treacher Collins syndrome are:

• Under-developed jaws – This defect causes the tongue to be pushed farther back towards the throat, resulting in a smaller airway. This causes breathing difficulties for the child.
• Sleep apnea– This sleeping disorder can result from underdeveloped jaws that force the tongue into the back of the throat, thus restricting the airway and interrupting breathing during sleep.
• Hearing problems – This results from malformation of the ears, ranging from a prominent ear to a complete absence of the external ear.
• Trouble feeding – If breathing difficulty exists, it can affect the child’s feeding severely enough to keep them from getting proper nutrition. A gastric tube for supplemental feeding may be needed to ensure that the child does not suffer from malnutrition.
• Cleft palate – Most children suffering from Treacher Collins syndrome will have some abnormality of the palate.
• Eye deformities – This syndrome can cause the lower eyelids to be notched, stretched and drooped.
• Speech difficulties – Speech problems are usually caused by the deformities in the palate, as well as the ears. If hearing aids are worn at an early age and the palate abnormality is fixed, the speech problems may be avoided completely.

Corrective Surgery for Treacher Collins Syndrome Conditions

At Face and Jaw Surgery Center, our skilled and professional oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical procedures to correct many side effects of Treacher Collins syndrome:

• Distraction osteogenesis – This procedure can be used to correct the underdeveloped jaw by using a device to gradually lengthen the jawbone. This technique may decrease the number of surgeries needed to correct the jaw abnormality. It may also correct any breathing difficulties, sleep disorders and feeding issues as well.
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – This surgical procedure removes excess tissue at the back of the throat, such as tonsils, uvula and part of the soft palate. Removing the excess tissue which blocks the airway during sleep can prevent the patient from experiencing sleep apnea.
• Maxillomandibular advancement – During this surgery, the jaws are moved forward from the remainder of the face bones. This advancement enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate, making obstruction of the airway less likely to occur.
• Cleft palate surgery – This procedure repairs the split or opening in the palate or roof of the mouth. This can help with feeding problems associated with Treacher Collins syndrome.

No-Obligation Consultation

Schedule a no-obligation consultation about corrective procedures for Treacher Collins syndrome with the surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons are specially trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery and have performed many corrective procedures for patients with Treacher Collins syndrome and other congenital defects of the face and jaw. We can evaluate the needs of your child and recommend the most effective treatment plan. Our number-one goal is to provide safe and effective procedures to enhance the health and quality of life of our patients.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Jawbone deterioration is the loss of bone in the jaw. Bone loss can occur in the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandibular) jawbone for a number of reasons. A healthy jawbone is important in order to support your existing teeth properly and can be compromised by various conditions such as:

• Trauma – Events which cause a tooth to be knocked out cause bone stimulation to cease. The lack of bone stimulation will result in jawbone deterioration in that particular area.
• Extractions – As soon as an adult tooth is removed, your jawbone will begin deteriorating immediately, unless you have the tooth replaced with an implant or bone graft.
• Dentures – Unanchored dentures are designed to sit on top of the gum tissue. This type of dentures does not stimulate the jawbone. Additionally the underlying bone structure slowly resorbs because the real teeth are missing.
• Bridgework – A popular treatment for replacing missing teeth, bridgework can also cause jawbone deterioration in the space between the anchoring teeth of the bridge.
• Gross malalignment or malocclusion – Malocclusion is the imperfect positioning or alignment of the teeth and jaws. Severe alignment problems can be caused by growth and development, trauma or injury and untreated tooth loss. Gross malalignment or malocclusion can create a situation where certain teeth do not have an opposing tooth. The unopposed tooth can “super-erupt” and cause bone deterioration. A common example of super-eruption is when a single wisdom or molar tooth is removed in the lower jaw, leaving the opposing tooth in the upper jaw intact. Extraction of the lower molar slowly causes the downward movement of the upper tooth, known as super-eruption. This can further cause jawbone deterioration.
• Bite abnormalities – Occlusion or “bite” refers to the way teeth fit together. Long standing bite abnormalities can cause abnormal physical forces which disrupt the balance of the occlusal relationship of the upper and lower teeth and jaws. As a result, bone deterioration can occur with certain teeth.
• Periodontal disease –  Also known as gum disease, it can range from simple gingivitis or gum tissue inflammation to more pervasive gum disease that can cause major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. Periodontal disease can result in tooth loss as well as jaw bone loss.

Bone Grafts Reverse Dental Bone Loss

One of the most effective procedures for reversing dental bone loss is bone grafting, a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone. The bone graft may be taken from your own bone or from other natural or synthetic sources. Bone grafting is often used to build up the jawbone to provide a solid foundation for dental implants. Whatever your reason is for needing a bone graft, the experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center are completely prepared to take care of your needs.

No-Obligation Consultation

Schedule a no-obligation consultation about bone grafting with the surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons have performed many bone grafting and dental implant procedures. They can evaluate your needs and recommend the most effective treatment plan to meet your goals.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Maxillofacial distraction osteogenesis is a surgical process used to correct oral and facial skeletal deformities by increasing bone in the jaw. New bone formation is stimulated by the controlled, gradual separation of bony segments after the jawbone is cut (osteotomy).  The procedure has the benefit of simultaneously increasing bone length and the volume of surrounding soft tissues. It is reserved for difficult situations that require more bone lengthening than can be gained by conventional surgery.

There are many facial deformities of the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) that can be effectively treated by distraction osteogenesis including:

• Facial injuries – A facial injury that causes damage to the maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw) is the most common condition for which distraction osteogenesis is performed.
• Congenital deformities – Distraction osteogenesis can treat a wide range of facial deformities in children as young as a few months old such as:
  • Cleft palate — separation of the roof of the mouth (palate) that occurs during early development of the fetus
  • Severe mandibular hypoplasia(small lower jaw) with resulting breathing problems – includes congenital conditions such as:
    • Micrognathia – an abnormally small, lower jaw and chin. Severe micrognathia can interfere with an infant’s feeding. This condition is often part of a syndrome of congenital disorders
    • Brachygnathia — abnormal shortness or recession of the lower jaw
• Facial cleft — an opening or gap in the face or a malformation of a part of the face. Extremely rare congenital anomalies, facial clefts can affect the bone, soft tissue and skin of the face.
• Treacher-Collins syndrome — a condition that affects the development of bones and other tissues in the face.  Most affected individuals have underdeveloped facial bones, particularly the cheekbones, and a very small jaw and chin (micrognathia).
• Pierre-Robin sequence – a group of disorders occurring together that includes a small, lower jaw (micrognathia), breathing problems and a tongue that tends to ball up at the back of the mouth
• Hemifacial microsomia – a rare congenital disease characterized by facial asymmetry

No-Obligation Consultation

Schedule a no-obligation consultation about distraction osteogenesis with the surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons are specially trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery and treatments and have performed many distraction osteogenesis procedures. They can evaluate your situation and discuss the best course of treatment with you.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

The ridge bone is a special type of bone surrounding and supporting your teeth. As soon as a tooth is removed, this bone begins to deteriorate. The ridge bone can also lose density due to breakdown from age or disease. This kind of atrophy can happen in two dimensions. The first is loss of horizontal width caused by the collapse of bone surrounding the socket. The remaining ridge narrows and no longer allows room for an implant. The second is a loss of vertical bone height, which can also make it impossible to safely and securely place dental implants in the affected area. The ridge bone must be augmented in order to add enough height and horizontal width to fit dental implants.

Ridge expansion is a procedure that can be performed when the jaw is not wide enough to support implants. In this procedure, the ridge bone is divided and the inner and outer segments of bone are wedged apart. This creates a space between the divided sections of bone that can be filled with bone graft. The oral surgeon uses special instruments in order to perform the ridge expansion. Depending on the situation, simultaneous dental implants may be achieved during ridge expansion.

The most common way to expand the ridge is by use of surgical tools called osteotomes. Osteotomes are flat and cylindrical, stainless steel tools of various sizes. They are used to laterally compact the bone and expand the ridge for implant placement.

At Face and Jaw Surgery Center our experienced oral surgeons will discuss the ridge expansion procedure with you, along with other effective treatment options for bone deterioration. Our surgeons are highly experienced and work hard to ensure maximum safety and comfort for our patients. 

No-Obligation Consultation

Schedule a no-obligation consultation about ridge expansion and dental implants with the surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons are specially trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery and treatments and have performed many ridge expansion procedures. They can evaluate your needs and recommend the most effective treatment plan for bone loss.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Your TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint) is the most constantly used joint in your body. It’s the small joint in front of your ears where your skull and lower jaw connect. The joint allows your lower jaw (mandible) to move and function.

TMJ-related pain and other symptoms can often be difficult to properly diagnose. Common symptoms such as earaches, headaches, pain, clicking or grating sounds in the joint may or may not be caused by problems in the TMJ.

Properly diagnosing the cause of your TMJ problems is best left to oral and maxillofacial specialists, physicians who have several additional years of extensive training in the problems, diseases and disorders of the face, jaw and neck.

Causes of TMJ problems are wide ranging and can involve the TM joint itself, the muscles, a combination of both, or stress. To accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your TMJ problem, your oral surgeon may need to conduct different diagnostic procedures.

TMJ problems include: 

• Arthritis can cause inflammation, stiffness, swelling and pain in the TM joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis can cause parts of the TMJ to fuse and prevent jaw movement
• An injury or trauma to the jaw
• Displacement or dislocation of the disk that is located between the skull and lower jaw can cause a variety of symptoms including clicking or popping sounds, limited jaw movement and pain when opening and closing your mouth
• A hole or perforation in the disk that is located between the skull and lower jaw can create a grating sound with joint movement.
• Stress may cause you to clench your teeth or grind them while you sleep and cause painful muscle spasms that may feel like TMJ pain. 

Treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Problems

TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include short-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and muscle relaxants, bite plate or splint therapy, physical therapy, and even stress management counseling. Generally, if non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or if there is clear joint damage, surgery may be indicated. Surgery varies from minimally invasive arthrocentesis and arthroscopy to open joint surgery.

No-Obligation Consultation

If your dentist recommends a consultation with an oral and maxillofacial specialist, contact Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment (both non-surgical and surgical) of TMJ-related problems. We can evaluate your condition and recommend the most effective treatment plan.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, ND office

Fargo, ND office

Grand Forks, ND office

Minot, ND office

Maxillofacial deformities are irregularities or malformations in the bones and/or soft tissues of the jaws and face. Causes range from congenital conditions such as cleft lip and cleft palate, diseases such as cancer, or can be the outcome of trauma such as an automobile accident. Maxillofacial deformities are often related to the body’s developmental or growth process, a result of uneven growth of the upper and lower jaws. Either or both jaws can be over or under-developed and disturb normal jaw alignment.

Maxillofacial deformities can range from mild to severe and can have functional or aesthetic effects, or both. Functional problems can include difficulties in chewing, talking or breathing, malocclusion (bad bite), sinus problems and temperomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

Growth-related maxillofacial deformities are usually corrected with orthognathic (jaw) surgery, while deformities resulting from birth defects, disease or trauma are usually corrected with reconstructive maxillofacial surgery.

Orthognathic surgery is a treatment option for moderate to severe jaw problems that cannot be resolved with orthodontics alone. Jaw surgery may be performed on the upper jaw, lower jaw or both. Types of orthognathic surgery include:

Maxillary Osteotomy (Upper Jaw)

This orthognathic surgery procedure is performed on the upper jaw to correct:

• Significantly receded upper jaw
• Malocclusion  – which literally means “bad bite,” is a problem in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together in biting or chewing. The condition may be an irregular bite, cross-bite or under-bite.
• Excess or deficiency in the vertical height of the upper jaw (too much or too little tooth-show)

• Open bite (apertognathia) – causes difficulty chewing due to a significant space between the upper and lower front teeth even when the molars are completely touching. This gap results from excess bone growth above the upper molars.

Mandibular Osteotomy (Lower Jaw)

This orthognathic surgery procedure can be performed to correct a significantly receded or protruded lower jaw and move it into the correct position. It may also be used to correct an asymmetric lower jaw.

Chin Surgery

This type of orthognathic surgery corrects a deficient chin that often results from a severely receded lower jaw or an excessive chin that often results from a severely protruded lower jaw. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon can alter the jaw and restructure the chin in the same surgery.

No-Obligation Consultation

Schedule a no-obligation consultation about corrective jaw surgery with the oral surgeons at Face and Jaw Surgery Center at one of our four, convenient North Dakota locations. Our surgeons are specially trained in orthognathic surgery and have performed hundreds of jaw correction surgeries. They can evaluate your jaw alignment problem and recommend the most effective treatment plan.

Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN.

Bismarck, NDoffice

Fargo, NDoffice

GrandForks, NDoffice

Minot, NDoffice