What procedures are performed by oral surgeons?
Dr. Elias performs the full range of oral surgeries, specializing in numerous procedures that treat the hard and soft tissues of your face, mouth, and jaws.
These are a few examples of surgeries often performed by Dr. Elias:
- Tooth extractions including impacted wisdom and canine teeth
- Placement of dental implants including bone grafting
- Corrective jaw surgery to treat a misaligned bite
- Treatment of severe temporomandibular joint disorder
- Repair of face, jaws, and teeth following trauma
- Cleft lip and palate repair and restoration
- Jaw surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea
With dual board certification as a dentist and oral surgeon, Dr. Elias is uniquely qualified to perform your surgery.
What should I expect from my oral surgery consultation?
The team at Southern California Center for Surgical Arts use cone beam computed tomography (CT) to produce a 3-D image of your teeth, gums, bone, and nerve pathways. With a single image, the cone beam CT gives Dr. Elias the details needed to evaluate problems with your jaw, teeth, facial bones, and sinuses
Dr. Elias uses your 3-D image to show you what’s wrong, illustrate how surgery will help, and map out your treatment, whether planning surgical extraction of an impacted tooth, accurate placement of implants, or complex jaw surgery. This cutting-edge technology also helps detect, measure, and treat tumors.
What should I know about oral cancer?
Oral cancer includes tumors that develop in your mouth and the back of your throat, including your lips, tongue, gums, and the insides of your cheeks. Tobacco use is the single most significant risk factor for oral cancer, although your chance of developing a tumor also increases if you abuse alcohol.
The symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Sore that bleeds or doesn’t heal
- Lump or thickness in your cheek
- Loss of feeling in your mouth
- A chronic sore throat
- Changes in your voice
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
- White or red patches on your gums, tongue, or inside your mouth
It’s essential to know that oral cancer doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages of the disease, and it rarely causes pain.
You can help protect your health by performing a monthly self-exam and calling Southern California Center for Surgical Arts for an evaluation as soon as you notice any symptoms. Dr. Elias specializes in the management of oral, jaw, and facial tumors and will work with your primary dentist or physician to ensure your health and safety.
If you need an oral surgeon or have questions about the health of your mouth, call Southern California Center for Surgical Arts or book an appointment online.
