Trying Times

Long before the Corona virus, I often said if we just watched TV, we would be too afraid to leave our houses. Of course the Corona virus situation has made this statement even more true. Unfortunately, getting rid of the Corona virus has been found to be quite a challenge. Decisions made no matter what they are, have quite concerning consequences. So we have to follow the recommendations of hand washing, wearing masks, social distancing, and staying out of large crowds to help reduce our risk as well as others risk relative to the virus.
Nonetheless, our medical concerns, including oral surgery issues, will continue and can get progressively worse even causing systemic health concerns. So, we must continue to figure out how we can move on with our lives and manage the Corona virus situation.

The new normal in the office

We are all now confronted with this new challenge called the Corona virus. We, in the office, have been working since the virus was 1st known to be a problem here in America to be able to safely treat patients and stay ahead of the safety curve. Literally, from day one we have been seeking out information from the governing bodies both in health care, the state as well as national agencies to be able to treat our patients with on going issues and to be as safe as possible. We’ve been working in the office treating patients through this pandemic with the exception of most of April and a few days in May. Unfortunately, our medical issues and  dental needs are continuing through these difficult times and generally must be tended to as best we can while managing the virus. In the office, we’re working as hard to safely treat you and keep life’s train moving despite such difficult circumstances of the pandemic.  Despite our best efforts, we are not going to be a 100% safe from the virus. Also, we are not sure how long this virus is going to be with us. As a result, we need to continue to move our lives forward including in the health care field. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call the office. 216-228-4232 Dr. Smith

Holiday Greetings

Well, the Christmas Season is here in full force. Everyone is buzzing with hope that ole St.Nick is soon to be here. Our staff is quite festive, and we’re trying to help as many people as possible before the end of the year. Our oral health had so many implications throughout our body, and we must work hearted keeping our mouths healthy. Remember, getting the teenagers wisdom teeth evaluated is a healthy thing to do.    Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe new Year everyone!

Facial rejuvenation

You can not beat the ease with which you can rejuvenate your look naturally. The work be done in a few minutes. Results with dermal fillers are immediate and the botox results are seen within a few days. The patient can be involved in the artistic aspects of the actual work being done.

Fear in oral surgeon’s office

I can’t remember a patient, in 27 years, that didn’t have some degree of fear for the surgery or the anesthesia. I think this feeling is natural in dealing with an area of life that we lose control to another individual like the doctor especially with anesthesia. This area of life is unfamiliar to most people with intermittent stories of a significant problem or even death on the news.
In our office,  I will encourage people to ask questions and try to direct mental thoughts in constructive ways to help them combat their fears. I will ask the patient’s what is their specific concern. I will try to get them to think positively as well as put themselves in a friendly mental place. Our staff is also quite helpful and supporting the patient through this difficult emotional time. Just remember, we are here to help you and don’t hesitate to ask questions before during or after the procedure. Have a great and safe Memorial Day. Dr Smith

We all want to look our best. Today, we can do it relatively easily and inexpensively. In the past, we had to resort to rather extensive surgery is and implants that did not age gracefully. With new technology, procedures can be done with minimal discomfort, little  time commitment, reversible additive results, and look quite natural. Procedures complement each other and can be done at the same time in order to develop the desired look. The patient can observe the procedures and provide input on an ongoing basis. The procedures can be done in the office and often performed over a few minutes to an hour. Don’t hesitate to contact our office with questions or just schedule a consultation.    Dr. Smith

Summer: time for the kids

It’s time for the kids! As far as dentistry goes , it’s a great time to get the wisdom teeth evaluated and possibly removed. Wisdom teeth are best removed in the mid teenage years or at least in the teenage years. Removing them before they go to college is also helpful in that the kids won’t have to be coming home to get the wisdom teeth removed when they have problems. It is unlikely in today is world that the kids will get away with not having their wisdom teeth removed add some time in their lives, I’m sorry to say. Being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for 26 years, I can say with great certainty that removing wisdom teeth in the mid teenagers is the way to go.   Dr. Smith

Our new office!

We’re in the process of moving to the INA building which will more than double our office space. We are in the process of designing the new office in plan to be seeing patients on October 2, 2012 in the new office. We are thrilled to be able to potentially see patients in a new office with new instrumentation even a 3-D CAT scan. This three-dimensional CAT scan will assist us in many of our cases and particularly help us in our implant patients. Instruments such as this three-dimensional CAT scan are on the cutting edge of technology and allowing us to better diagnose and treat our patients. It is truly amazing that a 3-D CAT scan can be part of the in office instrumentation. I am pleased that I can offer this kind of care to my patients and look forward to the next chapter in our forty-year practice!

anesthesia in the oral surgeon’s office

Having anesthesia in the oral surgeon’s office is frightening whether you are having it to help get through your surgery or it’s used for your child. I go through an agonizing array of details to determine what I think is the best way to treat a patient. I am acutely aware of the responsibility I have when I choose all types of anesthesia but especially intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. We see many children in the office, and I understand how important these children are having children myself. Our world today is filled with media events and an anesthetic problem in a dentist’s office is particularly of media interest. I have looked at cases from both the patient and the doctor’s perspective and some of the situations and have attempted to achieve a progressive understanding of both sides of these challenges. From any perspective when there are anesthetic challenges, emotions are high. Having. worked as an oral surgeon for 22 years and been involved in dental school, residencies, and medical schools for another 12 years,I take my responsibility in providing anesthesia seriously.  There is medical knowledge, dental knowledge, anesthesia knowledge, experience as well as a certain art to deciding on a type of anesthetic for a patient. Certainly, choosing a type of anesthesia is a joint decision with the patient or the parent.  Despite occasional situations occurring, the safety of anesthesia events causing serious harm or death is about one in 1 million when the patient follows the doctors instructions.  We are all affected when an anesthetic issue happens in the dental setting.  Patients picking a doctor that they can work with this extremely important. A consultation is an opportunity for the patient to ask questions, gain information, and determine whether the doctor is someone that he or she can work with easily.  To some extent, this type of approach can help reduce the patient or appearance anxiety in deciding the type of anesthesia to use in the oral surgeon’s office.

Surgery on children

Surgery on children is always a tenuous situation. Both the patient and parents are often quite apprehensive about the surgery. It’s amazing how important a consultation prior to the child having surgery can be. The information gained for both the anesthesia and surgery can help in immensely in relieving the fear over the whole process. The consultation allows the parents and the child to get to know the surgeon as well as the setting. The consultation should be an interactive process whereby the child and the parent can ask questions as well as develop an understanding of what is going to happen. I believe having a consult for most patients is helpful but critical to provide state-of-the-art care to a child. We see many children in the office and this process has worked well over the last 22 years. Give any questions feel free to check our website or call the office at 216-228-4232. Www.BrianSmithoralsurgery.com