Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  The older the patient, the more likely an impacted canine will not erupt by nature’s forces alone even if the space is available for the tooth to fit in the dental arch. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a panoramic screening x-ray, along with a dental examination, be performed on all dental patients at around the age of seven years to count the teeth and determine if there are problems with eruption of the permanent teeth.
• X-rays

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  We may prescribe an antibiotic rinse for certain procedures. This rinse should be used in the morning and at bedtime after routine mouth care. Do not eat or drink or rinse your mouth after using the medicated rinse. Using this rinse may cause staining, but it will easily be removed with your next dental cleaning.

Restorative

• Fillings
• Crowns
  There are several very strong reasons! Why sacrifice the healthy structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? This tooth-supported bridge is an aggressive treatment that requires preparing the adjacent teeth for crowns even if they are healthy. Why suffer the maladies of antiquated removable partial dentures? In addition, not only is removing a “partial” at night inconvenient, it is poorly functional and rather embarrassing when they slip and fall out.
• Bridges
  Sadly, the only option at this point is to extract the impacted tooth and consider an alternate treatment to replace it in the dental arch (crown on a dental implant or a fixed bridge).
• Dental Bonding
• Restorative Dentistry
  These jaw defects can create major problems in performing restorative dentistry whether your treatment involves dental implants, bridges or dentures. Jaw deformities from tooth removal can be prevented and repaired by a procedure called socket preservation. Socket preservation can greatly improve your smile’s appearance and increase your chances for successful dental implants for years to come.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons usually are involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or in replanting teeth that have been displaced or avulsed. These types of injuries are treated by one of a number of forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If a tooth is avulsed, it should be placed inside the mouth alongside the cheek. Otherwise, the next best option is storing in milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the dental socket, the better chance it will survive. Therefore, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. If the event occurs after hours, proceed to an Emergency Room. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called upon such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy. If injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often utilized as replacements for missing teeth.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, a moist tea bag can be used for 30 minutes. Keep calm, avoid exercise, avoid talking and elevate your head. Hold on ice packs for swelling when bleeding is a concern. If bleeding persists, call our office. If you have a denture, do not remove the denture. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  The inferior alveolar nerve which gives feeling to the lower lip and chin may need to be moved in order to make room for placement of dental implants to the lower jaw. This procedure is limited to the lower jaw and indicated when teeth are missing around the two back molars and/or and second premolar, with the above-mentioned secondary condition. Since this procedure is considered a very aggressive approach (there is almost always some postoperative numbness of the lower lip and jaw area, which dissipates only very slowly, if ever). Usually, other less aggressive options are considered first.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Again, when it comes to anesthesia, our priority is the patient’s comfort and safety. If you have any concerns regarding the type of anesthesia that will be administered during your oral surgery procedure, please do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor at the time of your consultation.
• Jaw Surgery
  Oral and maxillofacial surgery requires up to 6 additional years of hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we treat a wide variety of problems relating to the mouth, teeth, and facial regions. Our surgeons practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise in corrective jaw surgery, wisdom tooth removal, and oral pathology. They can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries and perform a full range of dental implant procedures.
• Gum Surgery
  Shortly after surgery, the patient will return to the orthodontist. A rubber band will be attached to the chain to put a light eruptive pulling force on the impacted tooth. This will begin the process of moving the tooth into its proper place in the dental arch. This is a carefully controlled, slow process that may take up to a full year to complete. Once the tooth is moved into the arch in its final position, the gum around it will be evaluated to make sure it is sufficiently strong and healthy to last for a lifetime of chewing and tooth brushing. In some circumstances, especially those where the tooth had to be moved a long distance, there may be some minor “gum surgery” required to add bulk to the gum tissue over the relocated tooth so it remains healthy during normal function. Your dentist or orthodontist will explain this situation to you if it applies to your specific situation.
• Maxillofacial Surgery
  The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system gives our oral and maxillofacial surgery practice state-of-the-art technology to help us diagnose potential issues more accurately and provide treatment with unprecedented confidence. Unlike a traditional spiral CT scanner, this 3D system utilizes cone beam CT technology and provides precise, crystal-clear digital images while minimizing your exposure to radiation. Our 3D system enables us to perform a wider range of diagnoses and treatments in our office, helping to reduce multiple visits. The cone beam CT scanner allows us to choose the field of view, or scanning area, that best suits your specific treatment needs. This helps to limit your radiation exposure because we are focusing specifically on your area of concern. The cone beam CT system brings the latest 3D technology to High Plains Oral & Facial Surgeons, providing unmatched visualization of anatomical detail which aids in treatment planning and helps us to better explain the particulars of your case, as well as address any questions you may have. We can use this innovative technology to quickly and easily share 3D images of the area of concern with you and with your referring dentist/doctor – allowing the doctors to collaborate on your care, improving your experience, and delivering a positive treatment outcome.
• Tooth Extractions
  After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
• Ridge Augmentation
  A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in our office under local anesthesia. Some patients may also request sedative medication in addition.
• Bone Grafting
  The following are the most common causes for jawbone deterioration and loss that may require a bone grafting procedure.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Our practice utilizes state-of-the-art, cranial cone-beam CT (computed tomography) technology that provides highly accurate 3-D radiographic images for the diagnosis, planning, and treatment of oral surgery. This technology provides highly accurate 3-D radiographic images for the diagnosis, planning, and treatment of orthodontics, implantology, TMJ analysis, airway assessment, oral and orthognathic surgery, and other dental procedures. Undistorted, anatomically correct views of the jaws, teeth, and facial bones are easily generated. Three-dimensional images enable a level of anatomic accuracy essential for a contemporary implant and reconstructive procedures. It simply offers visualization not possible with conventional 2-D technologies. It is highly unique to be located within the facility adding to your convenience.
• Braces
  Treating such a problem may involve an orthodontist placing braces to open spaces to allow for proper eruption of the permanent teeth. Treatment may also require referral to an oral surgeon for extraction of over-retained baby teeth and/or selected permanent teeth that are blocking the eruption of the all-important canines. The oral surgeon will also need to remove any extra teeth (supernumerary teeth) or growths that are blocking the eruption of any of the permanent teeth.

General

• General Dentistry
  Dr. Martin Salgueiro was born in Buenos Aires Argentina. At the age of two, his family moved to Caracas Venezuela where he grew up. He obtained his dental degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela in 1996. Dr. Salgueiro practiced general dentistry in Venezuela until 2003, then came to the US to pursue training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.