We understand the idea of oral surgery can be overwhelming. It is our mission at Sandhills Oral & Facial Surgery to support and educate you every step of the way. While each procedure is unique, the following are common questions most patients ask.
Contact our office for more detailed answers to your individual questions.
What is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
If you have never visited an oral surgeon, you may wonder how they differ from general dentists or other oral health care providers. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMS) are specialists in a variety of conditions that affect the mouth and face. Oral surgeons have extensive residency training for surgery and anesthesia that goes beyond that of a general dentist. An oral surgeon is trained to safely provide complete oral and maxillofacial surgical care and various levels of anesthesia for patients within an office setting.
What does the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training consist of?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery training includes the completion of a four-year graduate degree in dentistry, followed by a four-year or six-year surgical residency program for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS).
Dr. Weber earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Dentistry. He was then accepted to train at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, globally considered one of the premier training sites for oral & maxillofacial surgery.
During his residency, Dr. Weber acquired his medical degree (MD) from the prestigious University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center. He served as the chief resident covering 5 level I & II trauma hospitals and tertiary care centers. This program gave him extensive training in head & neck trauma and reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, dental implants, facial cosmetic surgery, pathology, and cleft lip & palate surgery. Furthermore, a significant portion of his training was dedicated solely to anesthesia, including hospital-based general anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, and office-based sedation.
What conditions does an Oral and Facial Surgeon treat?
- Perform complex tooth extractions, including removing impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth.
- Replace one or more missing or damaged teeth with dental implants.
- Diagnose and surgically treat obstructive sleep apnea.
- Surgically reconstruct inadequate bone structure in the jaw area.
- Treat victims experiencing trauma and injuries to the face, jaws, mouth, and teeth due to accidents.
- Perform facial cosmetic surgery procedures to enhance facial esthetics and appearance.
- Diagnose and treat oral cancer and other diseases, tumors, and cysts in the oral and facial region.
Why should I see an oral and facial surgeon?
You should consider seeing an oral surgeon when your dental emergency requires a tooth to be extracted, or if your condition involves manipulating the bone and gum tissue in any way. Patients experiencing conditions such as severe pain from tooth impaction, misaligned teeth, bleeding gums, hard-to-reach teeth, severe decay, or cavities below the gumline should visit an oral surgeon immediately to treat and prevent the situation from worsening.
Patients who are missing one or more damaged teeth should visit an oral surgeon for dental implant options. At Sandhills Oral & Facial Surgery, we provide the most advanced replacement options for single and full mouth dental implants, made to replicate the aesthetics and function of a natural tooth.
What if I am experiencing an emergency situation?
Call our office as soon as possible if you are experiencing any facial or dental trauma. Every attempt will be made to see you immediately, and ensure that you are treated as needed. A member of our Sandhills staff is available 24/7 to answer emergency calls.
Do I need to secure a referral from a dentist to set an appointment with Sandhills Oral & Facial Surgery?
Many of our patients are referred by their general dentist or other health care physician. However, you do not need to have a referral from your dentist to see Dr. Weber. Patients may call our office to schedule an appointment if your condition lies under our scope of care. You may also complete an online appointment request form through our website. Our scheduling coordinator will then contact you for scheduling and appointment confirmation.
What will my procedure cost?
The costs of your procedure will vary depending on the complexity of treatment and the needs of the patient. We make exceptional efforts to help our patients retrieve insurance benefits and give you an accurate estimate of all the costs beforehand.
At Sandhills Oral & Facial Surgery, we offer payment plan options that work for all of our patients, as well as dental and medical coverage from various insurance providers. For more information regarding payment and insurance, visit our Financial Information page.