Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery 

Oral and maxillofacial surgery covers a comprehensive range of dental procedures, ranging from tooth extractions to advanced surgical correction of craniofacial anomalies and repair of jaw fractures.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Conditions Treated 

The following conditions can be treated most effectively by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon:  

• Complex Oral & Facial Pain 
• Craniofacial Anomalies 
• Complex Dental Rehabilitation 
• Facial Fractures & Trauma 
• Dental Infections 
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 
• Maxillofacial Prosthetics 
• Malocclusion (Misaligned Teeth & Bite) 
• Oral/Head & Neck Cancers 
• Oral Lesions 
• Salivary Gland Diseases 
• TMJ Disorders 
• Sleep Disorders 

Advanced Treatments 

One of the most common types of oral and maxillofacial surgeries is removal of impacted wisdom teeth. However, this field involves various more advanced procedures, some of which may overlap with medical disciplines beyond dentistry. 

Overlaps usually occur in palatal birth defects, facial trauma, cleft lip, head and neck cancer, and facial cosmetic surgeries. According to the American Dental Association, there are nine other dental specialties that can offer supplementary treatments as well.  

For instance, oral pathology can help identify the cause and effects of a particular facial condition to help the oral surgeon design the right treatment. Some of the procedures may involve treatment in a hospital, and may even include an overnight stay at the hospital.  

For instance, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may perform repair of broken facial bones in the emergency room of a hospital. Oral surgery may also be used for patients suffering from severe sleep apnea in order to correct their breathing while they are sleeping.  

Introaoral and Dento-Alveolar Surgery 

Dento-alveolar surgery may be necessary to correct conditions related to teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. Tooth extraction is the most common procedure of this type. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may perform dental implant surgery to replace missing teeth.  

The surgeon may also perform jaw surgery, while working with an orthodontist to correct a misaligned bite. TMJ joint surgery may also be performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to treat pathology of the jaw joint. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often have the required training and skills to perform facial cosmetic treatments. They may provide both surgical and non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments to reduce the signs of aging and other facial imperfections, while restoring a more youthful appearance. 

Choosing an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon 

For teeth extractions, dental implants, facial injury repair, and almost any other oral procedure in between, you can expect to achieve the best outcomes with a qualified and trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon. These specialists must undergo an additional four years of training after they graduate from a dental school.  

They are also extensively trained in aesthesia and IV sedation procedures. Therefore, you must choose your oral surgeon carefully and ensure that they have the necessary professional credentials to work as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Out Of Town Patient Guide

Cosmetic surgery is a life altering procedure, and it makes sense to go the extra mile in choosing the best surgeon for your needs. Discerning patients recognize that the choice of the surgeon is the single most important factor that will impact their results. Therefore, they are often willing to travel out of town to seek the best possible treatment for their aesthetic concerns. 

McLain Surgical Arts, led by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain, provides cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.  

Long Distance Consultation  

Out of town patients usually have the choice between an in-person consultation and a long distance consultation with the surgeon. If you are busy or stay afar, it may not be feasible for you visit separately for a pre-surgery consultation. In this case, your surgeon and their team will make all efforts to ensure that you have an equally satisfying and productive consultation over the phone, Skype and email.  

Prior to your virtual consultation, you will have to submit your patient forms, medical history and images pertaining to your areas of concern (typically front-view and side-view images). The surgeon will review these details and prepare a customized surgical plan for you. Feel free to ask questions during the consultation and clear all your doubts.  

Scheduling Your Surgery 

Once you are ready to go ahead with the cosmetic surgery, your patient coordinator at the surgeon’s office will help you schedule a convenient date for surgery.  

You will also receive pre-surgery preparatory instructions, such as avoiding smoking and discontinuing NSAIDs and herbal medications, if any for at least two weeks prior to your procedure. Depending on your procedure, your surgeon may also require you to have some medical tests and blood work and submit the results to their office.  

Travel Plans 

Your patient coordinator will help you to make advance reservations for your transport and accommodation in the city for your surgery. The entire surgical team will do everything to make your out of town surgery experience as seamless as possible. 

You should ideally arrive in town a day or two head of your surgery, and plan to stay for a few days until you have recovered enough to safely travel back home. Your surgeon will give you an estimated recovery timeline according to your procedure. In general, you should expect to stay back for about one week after your surgery to allow the incisions to heal well.  

Post-Operative Care 

Your best option would be to bring along someone you can trust to assist you during your surgery and a day or two afterwards. Your caregiver can accompany you back to your hotel after the surgery, and preferably stay for at least 24 hours to provide you physical and emotional support.  

Hotels in Huntsville 

• Embassy Suites  
• The Westin Huntsville 

Airport 

Huntsville International Airport is located 15 miles west of town. Flights are available to and from cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Houston and New York City. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for safe and proven cosmetic procedures.   

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

…and cosmetic surgery is not cosmetic surgery!

It can be difficult in this modern day climate of heavy advertising, social media and internet searches for prospective cosmetic surgery patients to learn the truth about cosmetic procedures and the surgeons who perform them. Unfortunately, the online plethora of marketing, advertising and websites has muddied the waters about cosmetic surgery and unscrupulous groups and individuals have taken advantage of the flotsam and jetsam to advance their own agenda. It is disappointing to see, but the “turf battles” in healthcare and among physician specialties are often the nastiest and most intellectually dishonest encounters imaginable. The battles between surgical specialties that encompass esthetic/cosmetic surgery are no exception. This is especially evident in the attempt by some to equate cosmetic surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery

The truth is that no one specialty owns cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is recognized by the AMA (American Medical Association) as a separate and distinct specialty from cosmetic surgery. In fact, the nation’s largest cosmetic surgery group, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) which is comprised of physicians from multiple specialties, including cosmetic surgery, has voting delegates in the AMA House of Delegates. Cosmetic surgery is the surgery of appearance. It is elective and focuses on the aesthetics of beauty.

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery is primarily reconstructive in nature and was born out of the need to repair severe head and neck injuries during World War I. As there were no “cosmetic surgeons” at the time, the U.S. Surgeon General (William C. Gorgas) combined oral surgeons and general surgeons to form the Department of Oral and Plastic Surgery to treat these injured soldiers. Interestingly, Dr.’s Robert Ivy and Varaztad Kazanjian, who are considered the fathers of cosmetic surgery in the U.S. were originally oral surgeons. The prestigious American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), which limits its membership to only the most accomplished cosmetic surgeons in the country, was originally founded by oral surgeons and physicians and was called the American Society of Oral and Plastic Surgeons until 1931.

Unfortunately, some (not all) organized cosmetic surgeons attempt to mislead the public about who is competent to perform cosmetic surgery and the most deceptive lies are those that contain some grains of truth. Plastic surgeons (like many other surgical specialists, including but not limited to, Otolaryngologists/ENT, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dermatologists and Ophthalmologists) do learn cosmetic procedures during their residency. However, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) only recommends that residents in cosmetic surgery perform 110 cosmetic procedures to be considered adequately trained. These include ten breast augmentations, seven face lifts, eight blepharoplasties, six rhinoplasties, five abdominoplasties, ten liposuctions, and nine “other” cosmetic procedures.

I do not believe that number of procedures is enough to become truly efficient in the full scope of cosmetic surgery and in fact, most cosmetic surgery educators agree with me. This is exemplified in a 2008 article published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal, where a survey of cosmetic surgery training in cosmetic surgery programs in the United States found that the majority of the cosmetic surgery program directors encouraged their residents to pursue some type of postgraduate cosmetic fellowship. There is no doubt that the residency experience pales in comparison to formal fellowship training in cosmetic/esthetic surgery.

Fellowship training is widely recognized as the highest level of training available after residency and denotes extraordinary commitment to that field of medicine or surgery. Personally, I was fortunate enough to perform over 1400 cosmetic surgeries during my accredited fellowship.   Also, in contrast to many residency experiences, as the cosmetic surgical fellow, I was responsible for the patients’ from their initial consultation to their surgery and through their postoperative course. Unfortunately, many residents do not gain enough experience in the university setting to meet cosmetic surgery requirements and are sent out to private offices to “scrub in” on cosmetic cases to gain sufficient numbers.  This means that many of the nuances of patient selection, treatment planning, informed consent, and management of postoperative complications are likely missed.  That said, I have many cosmetic surgery colleagues who are very experienced in esthetic surgery and are excellent at it; but just having the designation “cosmetic surgeon” does not assure a patient of that surgeon’s proficiency in cosmetic surgery.

Dermatologists

Contemporary educators will freely admit that cosmetic surgery is a multi-specialty field that includes leaders and contributions from many surgical specialties. For instance, dermatologists pioneered laser surgery, chemical peels and invented tumescent liposuction.  Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also made significant advances in aesthetic facial skeletal surgery and facial implants.  Ophthalmologists have contributed many techniques for cosmetic eyelid surgery and cosmetic uses of botulinum toxin. Gynecologists have introduced or improved cosmetic vaginal surgery.  ENT physicians have advanced the field of rhinoplasty and facelifting techniques on a continual basis.   Plastic surgeons have made remarkable advancements in breast and body contouring procedures. The list goes on and anyone that disagrees with the fact that contemporary cosmetic surgery is a multi-specialty realm simply has their head in the sand or has intentions of secondary gain.

The real bottom line is that there is no residency for cosmetic surgery and in my opinion, the ideal surgeon is one who has completed a formal fellowship in cosmetic surgery, or has a vast amount of cosmetic surgical experience.  This could be a surgeon or surgeons from a multitiude of specialty backgrounds. Although board certification is an indicator of basic surgical competency, it is only one component that should be considered when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. Depending on the community in which you live, the best person to perform your rhinoplasty may be an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ENT/Otolaryngologist and the best person to perform your liposuction procedure may be a board certified cosmetic surgeon or a general cosmetic surgeon.

Also, any honest and competent surgeon should be willing to discuss their actual training and experience in the procedure(s) considered and not just hide behind some board certification. Lastly, successful and accomplished surgeons seldom disparage their competition because they are: 1) confident in their own abilities, 2) are too busy with surgery to waste time belittling others, and 3) realize that their competition will not last long if they aren’t getting good results, and if they are, they should be respected as colleagues.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic surgery in Huntsville, AL with Dr. Landon McLain, please visit our website at McLainsurgicalarts.com

Oral Surgery 

Thorough preparation for your oral surgery will help ensure that your risk of complications is minimized and you have an expedited recovery. You should approach oral surgery just like any other surgical procedure, and diligently follow your surgeon’s instructions for pre-op preparation and post-surgical care.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities. 

Follow the Rules for Diet and Smoking  

If your oral surgery involves general anesthesia or IV sedation, your pre-op guidelines will be similar to those for any other surgery. In general, you will have to avoid eating or drinking (including water) for at least eight hours prior to your scheduled surgery time.  

If only a local anesthetic will be used for your oral surgery, your surgeon may allow you to have a light meal a few hours before surgery. But make sure you thoroughly brush and floss after the meal. Your surgeon will determine how long you should avoid smoking prior to your oral surgery, but normally you may not be allowed to smoke for a minimum of 12 hours before the scheduled surgery time.  

Clothes to Wear for Oral Surgery 

You should choose comfortable, short-sleeved and loose fitting clothes for the day of your oral surgery. This will be more important if you are going to have an IV drip. Additional tips include:  

• Do not wear contact lenses as your eyes may be closed for a longer period if the surgery is performed using general anesthesia  
• Avoid wearing jewelry as you may have to remove it before certain procedures  

• Avoid wearing any lipstick or makeup, but you may carry a lip balm as your lips might be chapped following the surgery  
• Consider pinning or tying your hair back, particularly if it is voluminous 

Plan Your Post-Operative Diet in Advance 

It is a good idea to pre-plan a soft food menu that involves little to no chewing. You should avoid acidic or spicy foods that could irritate your gums. Protein supplements or drinks can be concrete sources of nutrition in the early part of your recovery. You may also consider quick-cook foods and oatmeal.  

Arrange for Transportation and Post-Op Care  

You should ideally bring along a family member or friend to the dentist’s office who can also safely drive you back home after your oral surgery. Your surgeon will advise you against driving yourself, even if you have only been exposed to local anesthesia for your procedure.  

If the oral surgery is more complex or elaborate, have someone stay with you overnight to assist with the chores. If you have little kids, consider arranging for child care or organize pre-prepared food so that you do not have to bother with cooking once you return home after your oral surgery. 

Be diligent about visiting the oral surgeon’s office for your scheduled follow-up appointments. If you have any post-surgical symptoms such as persistent pain or fever, call your surgeon for advice.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Dentists can undertake minor oral surgeries, but they are not oral surgeons or oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS), which is the complete name of these specialists. The word “maxillofacial” means pertaining to the face and jaw. 

An OMS receives four years of dental school and then completes a minimum of four to six years of additional surgical training. In addition, these specialists are trained to administer anesthesia and offer care in an office setting. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities. 

 

Training and Certification

For an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the average total length of education and training after secondary school is 12 to 14 years.

In general, training includes two to four years of undergraduate study, four years of dental study (DMD, BDent, DDS, or BDS), and four to six years of residency training (six years include two additional years for attaining a medical degree).

Upon completing surgical training, a majority of oral and maxillofacial surgeons undertake final specialty exams. This certifying body in the US is the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). Patients can verify that a surgeon is board-certified through the ABOMS.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons with board certifications are expected to maintain current standards through continuing professional endeavors. This ensures that they remain updated in their knowledge and skills as well as practice in a safe and contemporary manner.

 

Procedural Expertise

There are various procedures that oral surgeons are trained and authorized to undertake, such as:

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is the most recognized form of oral surgery. Some reasons for tooth extraction are as follows:

• Teeth beyond repair either from root fracture, tooth decay, or trauma
• Primary teeth that have failed to fall out, preventing the eruption of permanent teeth
• Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth
• Orthodontic treatment plans, which may warrant the removal of some teeth to decrease crowding and accomplish the optimum result

 

Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery

This surgery does not refer to a single procedure, rather a series of surgeries to help maximize the advantage to a child while minimizing the risks involved. 

 

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic surgery typically is undertaken to treat:

• Major or minor trauma to the jaw
• TMJ and dysfunction due to trauma or deformation
• Malocclusion or incorrect bite
• Incorrect jaw position, which can cause an out-of-proportion facial appearance

 

Dental Implants

Today, dental procedures are a common procedure to replace missing teeth or offer stability to a new or existing denture. The procedure for fixing a dental implant may differ, depending on the technique used by the surgeon as well as the type of implant used. 

 

Facial Cosmetic Procedures

Their specialized surgical and dental background allows oral and maxillofacial surgeons to undertake a cosmetic procedure that involves the aesthetic and functional aspects of the face, teeth, mouth, and jaws. 

 

Sleep Apnea

Oral surgeons typically serve as a member of the sleep team to help address obstructive sleep apnea. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Oral Surgery

Any oral surgery is a delicate procedure, which should only be performed a qualified and experienced oral surgeon. These surgeons are specifically trained to perform a wide range of procedures, and will be able to deliver safe and predictable results.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Tooth Extraction 

Tooth extraction is a commonly performed dental surgery, which may necessary to resolve trauma or disease or correct teeth overcrowding. A simple extraction may work if the affected teeth are visible above the gum line, and the surgeon can pull them out with forceps.  

A surgical extraction may be required when it is necessary to cut the tissue or bone to remove the tooth. The wound will be closed with sutures following a surgical extraction. It can be particularly difficult to remove wisdom teeth, and the procedure should only be performed by a skilled oral surgeon.  

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 

One of the more complex forms of oral surgery is oral and maxillofacial surgery. The procedure should be performed by an oral and maxillofacial specialist. Dentoalveolar surgery, corrective jaw surgery, maxillofacial dental implants, and pre-prosthetic nerve repositioning and bone augmentation are some of the advanced procedures that are included in this category.  

Dental Implants 

Dental implant surgery is the most reliable and long-term solution to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants do not require support from the adjacent teeth, which avoids any compromise to the natural health of those teeth.  

To replace the missing tooth, the oral surgeon will insert a metal post (usually titanium) into the jawbone. The post will serve as an artificial tooth root and will fuse with the bone and gum tissue over time. This creates a solid foundation for the placement of a dental crown over the implant.  

Oral Biopsy  

Sometimes the presence of a lesion in the mouth may have to be evaluated to rule out cancer. A biopsy will have to be performed for this purpose. The oral surgeon will remove a small piece of tissue from the affected site, which will be then analyzed in the lab to check for oral cancer.  

Jaw Surgery 

If you suffer from poor jaw alignment, it may not only cause you cosmetic concerns, but also interfere with your oral function. Jaw surgery may be required to correct this condition and restore normal oral function. 

Sleep Apnea  

Sometimes it may not be possible to successfully treat sleep apnea with non-invasive treatments. In severe cases, the oral surgeon may remove excess tissue from the back of your throat. This will considerably relieve you of the sleep apnea symptoms.  

Reconstructive Surgery 

Facial injuries and knocked-out teeth can severely compromise oral function as well as appearance. The oral surgeon may perform a reconstructive surgery to replace damaged or broken teeth, treat gum tissue or jawbone damage, and correct problems of the jaw joint. Severe facial trauma may cause deformities that can be best restored with a reconstructive surgery. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Tooth Extraction 

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure to remove a tooth from its socket in the bone. When you have a decayed, damaged or broken tooth, your dentist will first try to restore it with a filling, dental crown, or another treatment. However, if the damage cannot be repaired with these treatments, a tooth extraction may have to be performed.  

Sometimes a very loose tooth may also have to be extracted, if even bone grafting surgery cannot save the tooth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Types of Tooth Extraction Procedure 

Simple Extraction 

If the tooth is visible in the mouth, it is usually removed with a simple extraction. In this procedure, your dentist will loosen the affected tooth using an instrument called elevator. Thereafter, they use dental forceps to take out the tooth.  

Surgical Extraction 

If the tooth has broken off at the gum line or has not yet erupted into the mouth, it will have to be removed with a more complex procedure called surgical extraction. Your oral surgeon will make a minor incision into the targeted gum tissue area. It may also be necessary in some cases to remove a part of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in two pieces in order to extract it.  

Anesthesia for Tooth Extraction 

While a simple extraction can be performed using a local anesthetic, a surgical extraction will usually require local anesthesia as well as IV sedation. General anesthesia may be needed in some cases, such as with young children or with patients suffering from specific medical conditions. 

The surgeon may administer steroids and other medications through IV if you are undergoing conscious sedation. The steroids will help to keep you pain-free after the surgery and mitigate post-surgical swelling. While you may experience some pressure during the tooth extraction process, you will not feel any pain.  

Post-Treatment Pain Management 

You will receive post-op care instructions from your dentist following your tooth extraction. Before you leave their office, make sure you clarify any questions or concerns that you may have. After the treatment, some discomfort is expected even in case of a simple extraction. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can be highly effective to reduce pain after your tooth extraction. 

Take the medications in the dosage prescribed your dentist. Once the local anesthesia effect wears off, you should take your first pills. You may have to continue taking the pain meds as prescribed for at least three days. However, the actual degree of discomfort and how long the pain lasts will depend on the type of extraction and how complicated it was to extract your tooth.  

In many cases, the dentist may first prescribe pain medications for a few days, followed by an NSAID. The intensity of discomfort will significantly reduce after the first two days. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

A wide variety of cells constitute the mouth tissue. Malignancy may originate in any particular type of cells, which will determine the type of oral cancer. Before the mouth cancer treatment begins, it’s necessary to identify its type. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities. 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

One of the most common forms of oral mouth cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which begins in the oral cavity. Squamous cells are flat, thin and appear like fish scales. These cells are found in the tissue that builds the skin surface, the lining of the body’s hollow organs, and the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts.  

Oral verrucous carcinoma is a rare subtype of SCC. Another type of mouth cancer is oral melanoma, which occurs in the pigment-creating cells in the body. Melanoma of the head and neck may develop on the skin in these areas, or the tissue inside the oral or nasal cavity. 

Location of Mouth Cancer

Although nine out of 10 oral cancers are SCC, the treatment will depend on the precise location of the cancer. 

Floor of the Mouth Cancer

This type of head and neck cancer occurs when the cells constituting the floor of the mouth start growing out of control and form tumors or lesions. This type of cancer may initially be mistaken for canker sores. Therefore, it is important to see an experienced oral surgeon for early diagnosis. 

Gum Cancer

Gum cancer is easily treatable if detected early, but patients sometimes mistake it for gingivitis. This type of head and neck cancer occurs when the cells forming the lower and upper gum tissue grow out of control and start creating tumors or lesions. 

The risk of gum cancer is higher for people who chew tobacco or drink alcohol excessively. An experienced dentist may be able to notice the early signs of gum cancer during a periodic dental exam. 

Hard Palate Cancer

Cancers of the hard palate are relatively rare. An ulcer occurring on the roof of the mouth may be the first sign of this cancer. This type of cancer occurs when cells constituting the bony portion of the roof of mouth form tumors or lesions and growth out of control. Hard palate cancers in an advanced stage may spread into the nose cavity.

Buccal Mucosa cancer (inner cheek cancer), tongue cancer, and lip cancer, are the other common types of mouth cancer. These cancers are often curable if detected early.

Stages of Oral Cancer

If your dentist finds pre-cancerous cells in the oral cavity, which could eventually develop into a cancer, it is called carcinoma in situ or stage 0. Localized oral cancer only affects one area of the mouth, but has not spread to the surrounding tissue. 

Distant mouth cancer has spread to other body parts, possibly including the liver or lungs. If oral cancer is left untreated, it may first spread to other parts of the mouth, and then to the neck, head, and the remaining areas of the body.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Complications may sometimes result from your primary breast augmentation cosmetic surgery, making it necessary to have the breast implants replaced. Breast implant exchange or replacement surgery should only be performed by a trained and experienced surgeon in order to achieve safe and sustainable outcomes. 

You should familiarize yourself with the procedure, and clarify any doubts and concerns with your surgeon during the pre-operative consultations. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides breast implant exchange and replacement to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Breast Implant Replacement Surgery

Breast implant replacement is a surgical option for women who may have suffered from capsular contracture or another type of implant damage, causing the implants to lose their shape, position or become leaky, hardened, or rippled. The life of a breast implant on average is 10 to 15 years. With time, even the best quality and well-placed implants could ruptured or develop capsular contracture. 

The surgeon will perform breast implant exchange surgery in a similar way to the original breast augmentation procedure. Their first choice will be to use the old incision lines, through which the old implants can be removed and replaced with new ones. This will create only minimal additional scarring in nearby areas. But if the patient seeks differently sized or shaped implants, the surgeon will have to adjust the breast pocket and create new incisions. 

If only breast implant removal is performed, it may be accompanied by breast lift. Over time, the aging effects will cause loss of skin elasticity, resulting in sagging breasts. Therefore, for women who want to remove the old implants without replacing them with new ones, the procedure may be to be combined with a breast lift. 

The surgery can be performed using general anesthesia and IV sedation. Most patients can go back home the same day after the surgery.

Choosing Between Implant Removal and Replacement

Breast implant replacement is often preferred over removal because the firm and natural looking breast appearance can be easily achieved. Also, implant replacement surgery is relatively less complicated and the risk of infection and bleeding is reduced. In case of implant removal, the breasts may deflate or become saggy. Therefore, to restore firmer and tighter breast appearance, the surgeon may perform a breast lift in conjunction with implant removal surgery.

Recovery 

Breast implant exchange and replacement recovery will vary from one patient to another depending on several factors. The kind of surgical technique used, the size of the implants, your age and health condition, and how diligently you follow the surgeon’s post-op care instructions will make a difference to the recovery.

In general, you can expect to go back to your workplace or resume your regular routine in about one to two weeks. Mild bruising, swelling and discomfort may occur initially. The surgeon will prescribe pain meds in the first week. Swelling will take longer to resolve fully, and the patient may have to wear a special surgical bra for several weeks until the new shape of the breasts is firmed up.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast implant exchange and replacement surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Out-of-Town Patients Visiting Huntsville, AL

Many patients now choose to travel for their cosmetic treatments in order to receive the best possible care and enjoy a quiet and anonymous recovery period. No longer are patients limited to their own local area when looking for the most trusted and experienced doctors to meet their cosmetic needs.

As a board certified cosmetic surgeon in Huntsville, Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS works with patients from all over the world who want expert care in a private, convenient setting. McLain Surgical Arts’ staff is dedicated to making the process positive for our out-of-town patients, and we will work with you every step of the way to ensure your travels and surgical experience are safe, successful, and convenient.

If this is your first time in Huntsville, here is a little information about our city:

The Huntsville metro area is the third largest in Alabama, with a population of nearly half a million people. Huntsville, which sprawls at the foot of a mountain in North Alabama, is itself home to about 200,000 residents. The city is nicknamed “The Rocket City” for its historical association with US space missions. Huntsville has been a part of space technology development since the 1950s.

Weather 

Summers in Huntsville are hot and humid, but the temperature rarely goes above 100°F. Strong thunderstorms may appear from nowhere in the afternoons. Autumn is a fairly comfortable season in Huntsville. First frost normally occurs around Halloween. In winter, snow is a possibility, but not a guarantee.

Airport

Huntsville International Airport is located 15 miles west of town. Flights are available to and from cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Cincinnati, Denver, Memphis, Detroit, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, and New York City. 

Hotels Nearby

Embassy Suites Huntsville

This 10-story hotel opened in 2006. It offers excellent views of the city, downtown, and the skyline. It is connected by a “skybridge” to the Von Braun Center.

The Westin Huntsville

Located near the Cummings Research Park and adjacent to Bridge Street Town Center in Huntsville, Alabama, this hotel features an indoor and outdoor pool and numerous other amenities. Sensational shopping locations are at a walkable distance. 

Historic Districts

Twickenham Historic District 

The Twickenham and Old Town historic districts are located east of downtown. They feature large homes that were constructed as early as two centuries ago. In the months of June and July, you can take free guided walking tours of the area every Saturday.

Five Points Historic District 

This area is an example of early 20th-century neighborhood, and is marked by numerous architectural styles, including California Bungalow, Queen Anne and other Victorian styles. The district is now considered one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Huntsville, with art galleries, restaurants, and small shops lining the streets.

Museums

US Space and Rocket Center Museum

This is a top attraction in Alabama. The highlight is the Davidson Center, which features a Saturn V rocket that was never launched. It also includes several exhibits on the program that led up to the moon. The US Space Camp is also based here and has hosted more than half a million visitors since its launch in 1982.

Huntsville Museum of Art

The museum has seven exhibit halls that play host to numerous regional and national art exhibits each year. The museum also boasts of its own 2,500 piece collection. It features a huge gift shop and a coffee shop with a patio that overlooks the park.

Restaurants

Huntsville has its fair share of fast-food restaurants, but you can also save the local food at various high end eateries. Thanks to Huntsville’s diverse population, it has a number of ethnic restaurants that specialize in Greek, Indian, Thai, and many other cuisines. Some of the international dining options include: 

• Phuket Thai Restaurant – A stylish Thai restaurant in the village of Providence
• Shogun – An upscale Japanese steakhouse
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House – A famous New Orleans steakhouse 

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.