Implants

• Dental Implants
  Dental implants are perhaps the greatest advancement in modern dentistry and they are truly changing the way people live. Dental implants are designed to provide a stable, secure foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. With dental implants, a person who has lost teeth can regain the ability to eat all of their favorite foods and smile with confidence knowing that their teeth look natural and their facial contours are preserved. Our goals at Loudoun Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are to maximize the aesthetics of the final implant restoration and minimize any inconvenience to our patients by making the dental implant procedure efficient and comfortable. In many cases, when you lose a tooth, it is best for your overall oral health to have the missing tooth replaced. When they are not replaced, there can be shifting of the teeth in the area, which can affect your “bite,” your ability to speak and chew and the appearance of your smile. A poor bite can also cause headaches and muscle pain in your jaws. The good news is that, most of the time, replacing a missing tooth is not an emergency that needs to be taken care of immediately. You do have some time to make an informed decision and consider what tooth replacement option is best for you.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Oral and maxillofacial surgeons like Dr. Bluhm, Dr. Dorsch, and Dr. Vandervort are unique among the dental/surgical specialties in regards to anesthesia training. During their residency, every oral and maxillofacial surgeon receives formal anesthesia training with the anesthesia department in the hospital. There, they are taught the necessary skills to safely administer anesthesia. These skills include IV sedation, airway management, general anesthesia, and intubation techniques. As part of our safety requirements, all of our doctors maintain certification in advanced cardiac life support, and all staff members are CPR certified. We follow the protocols and guidelines set forth by the state medical and dental regulatory boards. By doing so, our Ashburn and Leesburg offices are regularly inspected. We also regularly run emergency drills to be sure we are prepared for any problems that may arise. Many people can have their procedures completed using a local anesthetic to “numb” the area for comfort. For those who wish to be sedated so that they are unaware of the surgery, we also offer oral and IV sedation as well as general anesthesia. Ambulatory anesthesia involves administering medications in the office that will either induce general anesthesia where the individual is totally asleep or sedation where the individual is in a state of semi-consciousness. All anesthesia is administered by our oral and maxillofacial surgeons. In longer or more complex cases, we may choose to have a board certified anesthesiologist come to our office and administers the anesthesia. During the initial consultation at Loudoun Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, you and one of our doctors will discuss the type of procedure required, your medical history, and the level of anxiety you feel about the procedures. Some procedures, due to their nature, require the use of IV sedation or general anesthesia, whereas other treatments are best accomplished under local anesthesia. Choosing anesthesia is always a personal decision and should only be made after an informative consultation with one of our doctors. During the initial consultation, you will also be given instructions on how to prepare for surgery such as: not eating or drinking for eight hours prior to surgery, taking all of your normal medications with just a sip of water, wearing warm, loose, and comfortable clothing, bringing an escort with you, and making any necessary arrangements for your recovery at home. The medications that we use for sedation and general anesthesia will persist in the blood stream for up to 24 hours following the procedure. Therefore, it is understood that you WILL NOT operate machinery or any vehicle for at least 24 hours after receiving ‘general anesthesia’ or being sedated. Our doctors are available to answer any additional questions you may have in regards to anesthetic use. The benefits of general anesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation include a decrease in awareness and anxi
• Jaw Surgery
  Orthognathic surgery is the surgical repositioning of the upper jaw, lower jaw or both. Orthognathic surgery may be necessary when the jaws don’t meet correctly and orthodontic treatment by itself cannot correct the problem. Treatment is two-fold; the teeth will first be straightened with orthodontics (braces) by your orthodontist and corrective jaw surgery will then be performed to reposition the misaligned jaws. Not only will this ensure that the teeth meet correctly and function properly, it also may lead to dramatic cosmetic results.
• Maxillofacial Surgery
  There are several reasons that teeth may need to be removed or extracted, including extensive decay, periodontal (gum) disease, or trauma that causes painful, abscessed, and/or loose teeth. In most non-emergency situations involving one or more teeth, our doctors will usually both evaluate and treat you during the same visit. If your general or family dentist has recently taken X-rays of all the teeth in question, please bring those X-rays with you when you visit or verify that they have been sent and received at either our Ashburn or Leesburg office. Most people prefer not to return to work on the day they have a tooth extracted because of minor discomfort and post-operative bleeding. At the appointment, we will provide you with post-operative instructions, extra gauze packs, and any necessary prescriptions. For a few days after the extraction, you can expect mild to moderate discomfort. You may notice some swelling, bruising, or stretching of your lip. In general, you should start to feel better three to four days after your extraction. If you do not feel better, please let us know as soon as possible. If you prefer to ‘go to sleep’ or be sedated, a pre-operative appointment is suggested so that we can discuss your anesthesia options. This also gives us the opportunity to review your medical history, determine what treatments or procedures are needed, and otherwise help you feel prepared for your procedure. If you have a complex medical history and/or are taking a number of prescribed medications, we may need to discuss your treatment with your physician before treatment occurs. Please remember to bring a list of all the medications you are currently taking when you visit us for your first appointment.
• Tooth Extractions
  It has long been a rite of passage to have one’s wisdom teeth removed in the late teenage years to early twenties. Generally, the family dentist or orthodontist refers the patient to the oral surgeon, but many patients come to see us and don’t really understand why their wisdom teeth need to be removed. After all, many patients don’t have pain and wonder if it is necessary. For most patients, the wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning that they aren’t able to erupt into the mouth into a normal functional position where they can be cleaned and maintained in a state of good health. The problem with this is that deep pockets form in the gum tissue around the impacted teeth and this harbors bacteria. Many patients say they get periodic soreness around the wisdom teeth; this is due to the buildup of bacteria that live and thrive in this environment. Many studies show that people who have not removed their wisdom teeth have a significantly higher chance of developing permanent gum disease or dental decay in the adjacent teeth, and even in teeth that are further away from the wisdom teeth. Another potential long term consequence of leaving impacted and nonfunctional wisdom teeth in place is the link that has been shown in many studies between dental disease and other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The cause for many of these diseases is now thought to be at least in part due to chronic inflammation. When heavy bacterial growth associated with dental disease gets into the circulation it can be a source of such chronic inflammation. This is well understood in the medical and dental community. Obviously, no surgical procedure should be taken lightly. When you make an appointment with our practice for a consultation, we will explain the benefits as well as the risks of wisdom teeth removal and will make our recommendation for treatment based on your individual situation. Your health, comfort and safety are always our primary concern.