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.
Professional Solutions For Your Skin
CALL TODAY
303-557-2097
Many people are looking for ways to rejuvenate their skin without surgery. They may find the ideal solution with laser skin resurfacing at Alta Vista Dermatology. We provide a number of laser skin resurfacing treatments to reduce the signs of aging and improve skin texture and tone.
Laser skin resurfacing is a versatile cosmetic treatment that can eliminate skin imperfections, create a younger appearance, and produce a more even skin tone. This is done by using laser energy to carefully remove damaged skin one layer at a time, revealing the healthy, beautiful skin underneath. At Alta Vista Dermatology, we use the Halo Fractional Laser and the Erbium Sciton Laser for laser skin resurfacing treatments.
Halo fractional laser is a treatment done right in our dermatological practice with dual laser technology. This provides deep dermal rejuvenation and epidermal renewal all at once. It can remove sun damage, treating the skin’s overall appearance and health, while reducing texture and tone issues such as fine lines and wrinkles. This versatile treatment can also be adjusted based on the needs of the patient. Fewer appointments can be made with more aggressive treatment, though patients will need to assess downtime that may be necessary during the healing process. Milder treatments can be done to reduce downtime, but will need more sessions for similar results.
At Alta Vista Dermatology, we specialize in using the Erbium Sciton Laser, which is the most advanced laser skin resurfacing system available. By utilizing laser resurfacing technology, we can rejuvenate your skin and deliver a more youthful looking appearance. In comparison to older laser resurfacing technology, the treatment we provide requires less downtime and is associated with fewer risks. We use this laser for the following:
Age spots are small patches of discoloration, and commonly occur in people who spend a lot of time in the sun. Although harmless, many people would like to have age spot removal treatments to achieve a more youthful appearance and an even skin tone. Age spots are a common form of hyperpigmentation that can be treated with laser skin resurfacing. To learn more, visit our page on hyperpigmentation treatment.
Brown spots are a common condition that can occur due to hyperpigmentation. They are small patches of skin that are darker than the skin around it. While brown spots are not dangerous, they affect the appearance of the skin and can lead people to pursue brown spot removal treatments for cosmetic reasons. Laser skin resurfacing at Alta Vista Dermatology is effective for brown spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation. To learn more, visit our page on hyperpigmentation treatment.
Sun damage develops on the skin due to frequent sun exposure, especially when sunscreen is not worn. Sun damage can appear as brown spots, freckles, and age spots. Although it is usually harmless, sun damage can produce precancerous growths in rare occasions. If you are concerned that you are developing skin cancer, you may want to consider a full body skin exam or skin cancer treatment. For sun spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation that occurs as a result of sun damage, laser skin resurfacing can be an effective treatment. To learn more, visit our page on hyperpigmentation treatment.
Stretch marks typically occur due to a rapid growth or body changes, which stretches the skin. This usually happens due to pregnancy, bodybuilding, and puberty. Like other cosmetic conditions, these are not harmful to your health, but some people may find them undesirable. If you have stretch marks that you would like to remove, you may be able to achieve the results you desire with laser skin resurfacing at Alta Vista Dermatology.
Laser skin resurfacing is a popular solution for wrinkle treatment, which we frequently perform with great success. With the Erbium Laser, we are able to carefully treat moderate to severe wrinkles in the skin without damaging the surrounding areas. This allows for a smoother recovery after treatment, while still delivering dramatic rejuvenation results.
To determine the exact cost of your laser skin resurfacing treatment, 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, major credit cards, and offer an online payment service for your convenience.