206 W County Line Rd., Suite 340 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
303-557-2097
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is used to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillfacial region. A recognized international surgical specialty, it is also one of the specialties of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association.
Wisdom teeth are the final set of teeth to develop. Sometimes they emerge from the gum line, and the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but more often, they fail to appear and become impacted. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed.
Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons strongly recommends that wisdom teeth be removed by the time a patient is a young adult in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the only dental specialists who, after completing dental school, are surgically trained in an American Dental Association-accredited hospital-based residency program for a minimum of four years. They train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery, and anesthesiology; and also spend time in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, emergency medicine, and other specialty areas.
Their training focuses almost exclusively on the hard and soft tissue of the face, mouth, and jaws, and their knowledge and surgical expertise uniquely qualify them to diagnose and treat functional and aesthetic issues in this part of the body.
Corrective jaw or orthognathic surgery may reposition the upper jaw, lower jaw, and chin to correct minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth. This can improve chewing, speaking, and breathing.
Difficulty chewing or biting food, excessive wear of teeth, a receding chin, a protruding jaw, or sleep apnea may indicate a need for corrective jaw surgery.
Dr. Herbst has many years of education and hands-on training to perform care for a wide range of conditions.
Cleft lip and cleft palate result when all or portions of the mouth and nasal cavity do not grow together properly during fetal development. The result is a gap in the lip or a split in the opening in the roof of the mouth.
Until it is treated with surgery, a cleft palate can cause problems with feeding, speech, and hearing. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons work as part of a team of healthcare specialists to correct these problems through a series of treatments and surgical procedures over many years.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. It allows the lower jaw to move and function. If you experience jaw pain, earaches, headaches, a limited ability to open or close your mouth, clicking, or grating sounds, you may have Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).
TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery. If non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or there is clear joint damage, surgery may be indicated, which can involve either arthroscopy or repair of damaged tissue by a direct surgical approach.
Maxillofacial injuries or facial trauma encompass any injury to the mouth, face, and jaw. One of the most common types of serious injury to the face occurs when bones are broken. Fractures can involve the lower jaw, upper jaw, palate, cheekbones, eye sockets, or combinations of these bones.
These injuries can affect sight and the ability to breathe, speak, and swallow. Because of this, the expertise of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is indispensable. Avoiding injury is always best, so it’s vital for anyone who participates in athletics at any level to use seat belts, protective mouthguards, and appropriate masks and helmets.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that everyone perform an oral cancer self-exam each month. If you notice white or red patches, an abnormal lump, chronic sore throat or hoarseness, or difficulty chewing or swallowing, you should contact our office. Dr. Herbst can remove a section of tissue to perform a biopsy and diagnose the problem.
Dental implants are long-term replacements for missing teeth that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone. Composed of titanium metal that fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, dental implants do not slip or decay. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, bone loss is generally not a problem.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons possess the ability to provide patients with safe, effective outpatient anesthesia, including local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. During their surgical residency, residents must complete a rotation on the medical anesthesiology service, during which they become competent in evaluating patients for anesthesia, delivering the anesthetic, and monitoring post-anesthetic patients.
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Sun-damaged and aging skin can leave people longing for a more youthful appearance. With a BBL™ photofacial, patients can achieve the youthful appearance they desire, thanks to the use of gentle broadband light. Alta Vista Dermatology offers BBL™ photofacials and other advanced laser treatments to men and women living in Highlands Ranch and Denver, CO.
A BBL™ photofacial is an advanced laser therapy that is used to improve skin discoloration and skin texture, often reducing fine lines and the size of pores. It is the only effective treatment for improving redness and flushing from rosacea, which is often difficult to control with medications. Broken capillaries, spider veins, and red blood vessels on the face, chest, or neck can also be treated with a BBL™ photofacial. At Alta Vista Dermatology, we use the Sciton BBL system for BBL™ Photofacials.
The BBL laser system has an integrated cooling tip to ensure patient safety and comfort. For treatment, specific settings are selected to achieve optimal results. Light energy is delivered by the BBL, gently heating the upper layers of the skin. The heat is absorbed and coagulates tissue to variable depths. This process helps restore skin to its natural state, providing rejuvenation results. This process typically takes about 30 minutes, but can vary depending on the size of the area being treated.
BBL is a versatile technology that we also use for photodynamic skin rejuvenation treatments. The procedure involves combining BBL with Levulan to treat moderately to severely sun-damaged skin, moderate to severe acne, and pre-cancerous skin lesions. If patients have had these pre-cancerous lesions treated in the past, this treatment may be an effective solution.
After your treatment, you can expect mild redness that resembles a sunburn. This usually fades within a few hours, and rarely lasts longer than a day or two. However, this should not impact your ability to work or perform other normal activities. Once the skin begins to recover over the days following treatment, you will notice healthier looking skin. During this time, the skin will be highly sensitive, so it is important to limit sun exposure and use sunscreen if necessary. Age spots, spider veins, and other skin conditions should begin to fade after a week or two.
We usually recommend three to five sessions in three-week intervals, but this number will vary depending on your desired results. During your consultation, we will examine your skin and determine how many treatments will be necessary.
To determine the exact cost of your laser BBL™ photofacial, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our office. During your consultation, we will develop a personalized treatment plan that will satisfy your unique needs and produce the best results possible. At that point, we will be able to provide you with a clear breakdown of the costs associated with your treatment. To help make our services affordable for our patients, we are proud to offer financing through CareCredit®. We also accept cash, checks and major credit cards.