Our Services

More and more people are getting dental implants to replace missing teeth. They're a long-term solution that is imbedded in your jawbone, just like your natural teeth. Plus, unlike fixed bridges or removable dentures, dental implants will not affect neighboring healthy teeth or lead to bone loss in the jaw. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime. 

(Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org)

You may need to have a tooth extracted  for a number of reasons such as decay, injury, or as part of orthodontic treatment. Whatever the reason, you will most likely be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who will remove your tooth in the office using an anesthetic that is appropriate for your procedure. 

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop and appear in your mouth. They come in between the ages of 17 and 25, a time of life that has been called the "Age of Wisdom."  When a tooth doesn't fully grow in, it's "impacted"–usually unable to break through the gums because there isn't enough room.   

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) are trained in all aspects of anesthesia administration. Following dental school, they complete at least four years of training in a hospital-based surgical residency program alongside medical residents in general surgery, anesthesia and other specialties.   Before your surgery, Dr. Phillips will review the type of anesthetic to be used, as well as the way you're likely to feel during and after the operation. 

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is the expert for diagnosing and surgically treating cancer of the head, neck and mouth.

Your family dentist or OMS is in the best position to detect oral cancer during your routine dental examinations. 

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. It permits the lower jaw to move and function.

The TMJ is the  most constantly used joint

in the body. TMJ disorders are not uncommon. Individuals with a TMJ disorder may experience a variety of symptoms, such as earaches, headaches and limited ability to open their mouth.

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

While most root canals are successful, there are times when a root canal alone isn’t sufficient. If the infection from the dead nerve inside a tooth spreads beyond the tooth root and into the surrounding bone, your dentist may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an apicoectomy. During an apicoectomy, the surgeon removes the infected portion of the tooth’s root in order to clean the infection from the tooth and surrounding bone and then fills the root to prevent future infections.

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

It is not uncommon for teeth other than wisdom teeth to be impacted, or blocked, from entering the mouth. Fortunately, many of these teeth can be brought into proper position rather than being removed. By working together, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon and orthodontist can often bring the impacted tooth through the gum and into the correct position through a procedure known as “expose and bracket.” 

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org) 

Frena are small folds of tissue located in the mouth: under the tongue, inside the upper lip, inside the lower lip, and connecting the cheeks to the gums.

A frenectomy is a simple procedure performed in the oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s office to loosen the frenum’s connection and extend the range of motion in that part of the body.

 (Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, www.MyOMS.org)