Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Please keep in mind that at NVOMS there is a consultation fee. We will submit the consultation to your insurance for consideration. If you have two dental exams/cleanings with your general dentist (or have had a consult with another dental provider), you may have exceeded the number of allowable exams per year according to your policy. NVOMS will submit a pre-treatment estimate to your dental insurance company, and it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for processing and review. After that, it will be available on your dental insurance company’s member portal for your review. Many dental insurances are primary over the medical insurance for impacted teeth. Many companies require waiting periods and have “missing tooth clauses” that may affect your coverage for procedures related to dental implants. Please contact your dental insurance company for any details regarding your benefits and what may or may not be covered.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning

Restorative

• Crowns
  As one of the most significant dental innovations in recent times, a dental implant is a small surgical post made of biocompatible metal or ceramic, that is placed into the jawbone to function in the same manner as the root of a natural tooth. In the same way that a root supports the natural crown of your tooth, an implant integrates over time with the surrounding bone to provide a stable and durable foundation for a single dental crown or bridge, as well as a complete set of upper or lower replacement teeth.
• Bridges

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  If you wear any dentures, partial dentures or flippers, remove these prostheses so that you can apply direct gauze pressure to the surgical area.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  By performing grafting procedures, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon can help restore the bone to its original dimensions to maintain facial esthetics, repair the damage caused by periodontal disease as well as facilitate the success of procedures such as the placement of dental implants. A bone graft provides a platform or “scaffolding” for new bone growth and the material for a bone graft can be derived from the patient, other donor sources or be comprised of synthetic, bone-like materials.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Sedation offers individuals with general anxiety about going to the oral surgeon, or fears about a specific oral surgery procedure, the opportunity to have a stress free and more comfortable experience. Utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques prior to the procedure, the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation. This eliminates any discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety that may be associated with a particular visit. With sedation, patients typically feel more at ease post-operatively as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment oral surgery procedure.
• Jaw Surgery
  Dr. Runnels was born and raised in southern Maine. As a child, she always enjoyed science and math and eventually majored in biology at Boston College. One summer, she worked as an orderly in the operating rooms of Mercy Hospital, where her mother worked as a nurse. She was introduced to many surgical specialists but was particularly fascinated by watching the oral surgeons perform jaw surgery. Sensing her keen interest, the oral surgeons invited Dr. Runnels to observe in their private practices. It was then that she knew she had found the perfect job for her! Following the surgeons’ advice and encouragement, Dr. Runnels attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she excelled in anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
• Pre-prosthetic Surgery
• Maxillofacial Surgery
  Dr. Herman is a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts and has been practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery in the Boston area since 1976. He has received degrees from McGill University in Montreal and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
• Tooth Extractions
  Sometimes it is necessary to extract a tooth. This situation can arise for a variety of reasons. Extractions are commonly performed in cases where a deciduous “baby” tooth is reluctant to fall out, a severely broken down and non-restorable tooth is present, or a “wisdom tooth” is poorly positioned and unable to erupt into place. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are frequently referred patients by both general dentists and specialists for the extraction of permanent or primary (deciduous or “baby”) teeth that are erupted, unerupted, fractured, severely broken down, or ankylosed (fused to the surrounding bone). Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are also best equipped to provide care for patients who are undergoing complex medical treatment, have certain medical conditions or take specific medications that can influence dental extractions, healing and recovery.
• Ridge Augmentation
  In addition to bone grafting for purposes of ridge preservation or augmentation to allow for dental implants, an aesthetic ridge augmentation procedure to restore the natural contours of the bone is sometimes performed in preparation for fixed bridgework to achieve a more cosmetically pleasing result.
• Bone Grafting
  If you are considering having an implant in the future and at the time of your extraction bone is noted to be deficient, a socket bone graft may be recommended. Socket bone grafting helps to increase bony healing and regeneration. If socket bone grafting is required in preparation of the site for an implant, there is an additional charge. The socket bone graft is NOT covered by most insurances and you would be responsible for the total cost of this procedure is required the day of the procedure. Despite socket grafting, sometimes more extensive grafting may still be required in order to regenerate enough bone for a dental implant. In this case, you would be notified of the cost for additional grafting procedures.