Oral Surgeons Cocoa, Melbourne, Suntree/Viera, Titusville

If you have oral health needs such as jaw correction, oral pathology surgery, and growth removal, oral surgeons Gerald Bird and Jay Johnson can help you at their Cocoa and Melbourne, Florida offices.

Our board-certified oral surgeons with their specialized training and expertise can help you improve the health and look of your smile. Your oral health has a profound effect on your overall health, and when your needs exceed the services of a general dental practice, it is highly important that you seek the care of a dentist experienced in advanced treatments. Schedule a consultation with one of the oral surgeons at our Melbourne or Cocoa, Florida offices today to find out how we can help you.

Oral Pathology Surgery

Drs. Bird and Johnson can treat the development of oral cancer or other pathologic problems, which are usually indicated by changes in the color or texture of the soft tissue in your mouth, gums, lips, face, or neck.

Oral cancer is on the rise, especially among men, and the chances of survival increase dramatically if your dentist makes an immediate diagnosis. Since the dentist must take a biopsy sample of the affected area, seeking immediate attention when changes first occur can be the difference between life and death.

Oral cancer screening is painless and takes only a few minutes. The dentist will assess the soft tissue with a laser light to detect cell changes that might indicate oral cancer. If changes are present, a small tissue sample, or biopsy, will be taken and sent to a laboratory.

If you are experiencing oral pain or other symptoms, we encourage you to contact us and schedule an appointment.

Not all lesions or growths in the mouth are cancerous, there are many common and  benign conditions as well. It is always best to have either Dr. Bird or Dr. Johnson see you to determine if the lesion is serious and in need of attention and treatment.

Examples of Common growths or lesions:

Mucoceles : This condition is marked by a fluid-filled skin sac that can appears in the center of the palate, causing substantial discomfort. Removing the cyst can increase comfort, alleviate problems, and improve speech.

Leukoplakia : Overgrowth of bacteria, or a yeast infection in the mouth can cause leukoplakia. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, extensive antibiotics use, or some radiation treatments.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, addresses imperfections in your bite because of birth defects, growth defects, or traumatic injuries. Your upper and lower jaws may not meet correctly because of recessed incisors, an underbite, or an overbite. These conditions can cause your teeth to wear quickly, result in chronic jaw and muscle pain or headaches, loose teeth, tooth sensitivity, or difficulties swallowing, chewing or biting food.

Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is the removal of the tip of an infected tooth root, followed by a filling procedure to seal it and protect it from infection. It usually follows root canal therapy, or the removal of pulp from the tooth's center, if inflammation or infection persists following the root canal treatment. If infected roots are untreated, they can damage other teeth, spreading infection and weakening the jaw bone. Apicoectomy becomes necessary when a tooth has multiple tiny, complex branches that cannot be cleaned during root canal treatment.

Facial Trauma

Automobile crashes, falls, accidents, and other unforeseen circumstances can all result in lacerations, fractured teeth, fractured jaws, fractured facial bones, and knocked-out teeth, which can all require reconstruction. While there are obvious aesthetic reasons for repairing facial damage, there are serious health concerns that can result from even a small amount of trauma, such as difficulties with respiration, speech, and swallowing.

Treatment of facial trauma encompasses a variety of techniques. If facial bones are damaged, they may be held together with wiring or small plates and screws. Facial lacerations are treated with stitches. If a tooth has been knocked out of the mouth, it can still be reinserted if a dentist can treat the patients quickly enough after their injury. If the natural tooth does not survive, crowns or bridges can help restore a natural, complete look to the patient's smile.

Learn More about Oral Surgery

If you are experiencing painful or worrisome symptoms, or if you have suffered severe injuries to your teeth or face, oral surgeons Bird and Johnson, with offices in Melbourne and Cocoa, Florida, can help you. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.