Our
Services
Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others it may not be until the early twenties. Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30. Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include: Infection, Cyst Formation, Crowding, Damage to Adjacent Teeth
Dental Implants
A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant.
Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In many cases a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.
Oral Pathology
Patients are often referred by their dentist or physician for further examination and management of soft or hard tissue abnormalities and oral pathology. Soft tissue lesions generally involve ulcers, patches, bumps, and discoloration on the gingivae (gums), palate, lips, cheek, tongue or salivary glands. Hard tissue oral pathology refers to changes in the teeth or jaw bone(s). Fortunately, abnormal changes in the mouth are often detected early because the oral cavity is rich in nerves and is an area that we are typically very aware of. Although such tissue change usually does not mean nor prove to be cancer, it certainly needs to be examined promptly to determine exactly what it may be. This is especially true given that oral cancer kills one person every hour, twenty-four hours a day, in the U.S.
Tooth Extractions
While the most familiar type of extraction is wisdom teeth removal at our Terre Haute office, there are a variety of reasons and conditions that may lead to a tooth needing to be extracted. Most commonly, extensive caries (decay) in a tooth may ultimately render it beyond repair, no matter how heroic the measure. Situations that may lead to the need for an extraction can include the decay extending too deep within the tooth, too much of the tooth having been eroded, the tooth being severely abscessed
Anesthesia
Anesthesia was invented by dentists in the earlier part of the 19th century, and, since then, sedation dentistry has become a critical part of many dental procedures. Today’s technology makes it possible to perform both simple and complex procedures in an office setting while maintaining maximum patient comfort and safety. As the surgical specialists of the profession, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are extensively trained in all aspects of anesthesia administration and sedation dentistry techniques. The ability to provide patients with safe and effective anesthesia has distinguished the specialty since its inception.
Facial Trauma
At Terre Haute Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our surgeons specialize in dental, medical, and surgical background and training. Maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified experts at treating dental and facial trauma including fractures of the upper and lower jaws, nose, and orbits, and cosmetic management of facial lacerations. They rely on the knowledge of how the jaws come together and the crucial role of dental occlusion as the foundation for surgical repair.
Although trauma is usually associated with motor vehicle accidents and physical altercations, dental or maxillofacial trauma can also result from such things as childhood injuries caused by bicycles, sports, or falls. Kids can be especially prone to sustaining damage to their teeth or supporting structures from falls. Thankfully, such injuries can usually be effectively treated in our Terre Haute office, avoiding costly emergency room visits. We understand that sustaining facial injuries can be quite traumatic both physically and emotionally. That is why our team at Terre Haute Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery will be here to help offer support and to guide you through the process of recovery after the facial trauma surgery.
Our Team
Jan Slapnicka
MD, DDS, PhD
Dr. Jan Slapnicka is a graduate of University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry and the Masaryk University Medical School. He completed an oral maxillofacial surgery residency at Indiana University. Dr. Slapnicka is an adjunct faculty for the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program at Indiana University.
Dr. Slapnicka is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Jan Slapnicka is known for his multiple publications and contributions to the field of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. He was involved in multiple international humanitarian missions including craniofacial and cleft surgery mission in Lima, Peru, and cleft lip and palate mission in Raipur, India.
OG
MD, DDS
Coming soon
LP
DDS
Coming soon