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Welcome to our practice

Thank you for visiting East Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants web site. We hope that it will help you become familiar with our practice and will provide you with information about our services. We are committed to offering you the highest quality care possible and we will make every effort to ensure that your visit with us is a comfortable and satisfying experience.

We take great pride in providing an excellent group of qualified and caring staff. Along with knowledge we also bring the latest technological advancements to give you the safest and most comprehensive surgical care.

Our experienced and caring team is ready to assist you with your needs. Please take a moment to browse through our web site and contact us at your convenience so that we might assist you in maintaining and producing a beautiful and healthy smile. We will make sure that you will recieve the highest standards of care and patients’ satisfaction.

We are specializing in dental implants, oral surgery and other dental surgical procedures. Dr. Livesay is the world class oral surgeon and dental implants specialist.

Dr. Kenneth Livesay

Dr. Kenneth Livesay is a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and National Dental Board of Anesthesia.

After completing his undergraduate Work at Bellarmine University, Dr. Livesay graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and he completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery and anesthesia training at the University of Tennessee.

He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and the author of several professional articles.

He was the featured doctor on KET - the Kentucky Helath program, to discuss dental implants. In addition to publishing several articles, he lectures on dental implants.

He truly cares for his patients, building strong relationships and providing excellent clinical skills. His passion and enthusiasm for people as well as his concern with every patient’s total health make his practice truly unique and allows him to be one of the leading oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Kentucky.

Procedures Dental Implants

DENTAL IMPLANTS Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth, stabilize dentures and recreate your beautiful and confident smile. They are the answer to missing teeth because they feel, look and act like natural teeth making you feel good about your smile once again. The implants themselves are small titanium posts, which are surgically implanted into your jawbone where natural teeth are missing. These posts act like tooth root substitute, since the bone bonds with them preventing its deterioration and shrinking, and creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In this way, even when natural teeth are missing, facial structure and your smile can be preserved. The Procedure Usually the surgical procedure involves two phases. First, the implants have to be placed in their proper spots in your jaw bone. The bonding of bone and metal will take from three to six months. During this time you should be able to wear temporary dentures. In certain situations with front teeth, dental implants and crowns can be done in one visit. When the dental implant is done healing the second phase beings. Small posts are attached to your implants that will serve as anchors for your artificial teeth. Next, your new teeth are attached to these anchors, covering them completely. Total treatment time, from the day the implant is placed until your final crown is placed on the implant, usually takes 4 to 7 months. Anesthesia, Sedation

GENERAL ANESTHESIA AND SEDATION Many patients feel anxious about their dental procedures. It is rather a common thing and so Dr. Livesay is prepared to help you deal with your fears and nervousness. One of the ways to deal with your anxiety is the use of medication that will help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during your dental procedures. Dr. Livesay is board certified by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, holds a general anesthesia license and is ready to assist your needs. Frequently Asked Questions About Anesthesia/Sedation What is anesthesia and sedation? How is the medication administered? Is there any type of monitoring during anesthesia/sedation? Is it safe? Are you a member of ADSA? Wisdom Teeth

WISDOM TEETH By age 18 an average person has 32 teeth – 16 on the top and 16 on the bottom. However, usually the mouth is able to comfortably hold only 28 teeth. Discomfort and pain might occur when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that can hold only 28 teeth. Potential Problems The last sets of teeth to come are the so called “wisdom teeth,” the third molars. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not cause any problems. Unfortunately, this is not what usually happens. For most people they erupt misaligned, growing sideways and only partially emerge from the gum. Sometimes they even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Such situations can cause many problems. Partial eruption is a recipe for infection resulting in swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. In other cases the pressure from erupting wisdom teeth can move other teeth and interfere with their alignment. However, the most serious problem occurs when cysts or tumors form around the erupting wisdom teeth. This, if left unattended, might result in the destruction of the jawbone and surrounding healthy teeth. Removal of the offending teeth usually resolves the above mentioned problems. In many cases early removal is recommended as a preventative measure. Examination Generally your first evaluation would take place with your dentist or orthodontist. Next, Dr. Livesay will evaluate the position of the “wisdom teeth” with x-rays and oral examination of the mouth to see if there are any present or potential future problems. The results will be discussed with you. If surgery is necessary it will be performed under appropriate anesthesia to provide you with optimal comfort. You can learn more about our standards and types of anesthesia by selecting the topic above. Facial Trauma

FACIAL TRAUMA Dr. Livesay is a trained and skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeon. His expertise qualifies him to properly treat facial trauma. He is on staff at most local hospitals and takes emergency room calls. At our office we realize that any injury to your face bears both physical as well as emotional suffering for you. That’s why we are ready to assist your needs through our experience and understanding of the restoration process. Our goal is for your complete satisfaction, restoring your appearance as well as function. There are three general categories of facial injuries: 1. Soft tissue injuries (skin and gums) 2. Bones injuries (fractures) 3. Special regions injuries (such as facial nerves, eye area, salivary glands, and other) All these can be caused by a variety of accidents – violence, work related, motor vehicle accidents, sport injuries, falls, an others. When you contact our office regarding a facial trauma you can be assured that Dr. Livesay’s proficiency and expertise at diagnosing and treating their various kinds will work for your benefit. He is a specialist who is ready to help you using the latest technology and knowledge. Oral Pathology

ORAL PATHOLOGY Your mouth is normally lined with a special skin called “mucosa.” This skin is smooth and coral pink in color. Should you ever notice any change in appearance or feeling it might a warning sign for a more serious problem, even oral cancer. Here are some of the warning signs: - red or white patches in your mouth; - bleeding sore that fails to heal; - a lump on the inside of your mouth; - difficulty in chewing and/or swallowing; - chronic sore throat or hoarseness; It is important that you self-examine your mouth on a regular basis. Should notice any of the warning signs please do not hesitate to contact us. Jaw Surgery

CORRECTIVE JAW SURGERY Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) allows improving the way your teeth fit with your jaws. Some people experience a condition where teeth do not seem to fit with their jaw. Proper use of orthodontics and corrective jaw surgery is able to improve facial appearance as well as allow you teeth to meet and function properly. Since jaw growth is a gradual process sometimes upper and lower jaws grow at different rates – that can cause many different problems. Misaligned jaws, caused by growth problems or various injuries, affect oral health, speech, chewing function of your teeth, and also your appearance. Dr. Livesay is able to examine and evaluate your jaw structure. A series of x-rays is taken and consultations are held. Dr. Livesay is able to show you what the problem is and how it can be treated. The goal is always to make your teeth and jaw function in a healthy and correct manner, making your smile look as beautiful as ever. TMJ Disorders

TMJ DISORDERS TMJ disorders, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorders, refer to various types of problems related to your jaw joint. People with symptoms including “clicking,” pain or locking accompanying the opening of their mouth are now able to be treated and helped with their problems. TMJ disorders can lead to serious health relate conditions. That’s why early detection and treatment are important. For patients with this kind of condition it is important to know that treatments can take a long time to be effective, but a healthier and more comfortable jaw is their result. If you suspect to have TMJ disorder, please contact our office. You can also take a look at the most common symptoms listed below: - you wake up with sore and stiff muscles around your jaw; - you know that you clench and grind your teeth often; - you have unexplainable neck pains or headaches; - you can hear or feel your jaw click, pop or grate; - your jaw periodically catches or locks up when you open your mouth; - you are in pain while yawning or opening your mouth wide; - you have problems with other joints; - you have trouble biting and your teeth do not meet any longer when you bite; - your teeth are sensitive or worn; These are just a few possible symptoms of TMJ disorders. The more of them are common in your case the more likely you have a problem with your jaw joint. When you contact our office, Dr. Livesay will examine and evaluate your jaw joint. He is able to determine a proper course of treatment and give you advice about care steps you can also take yourself.

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