Dentistry and Oral Surgery

The Department of Dentistry at Montefiore Medical Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for diseases and disorders of the mouth, jaws, teeth, and face. In addition to oral hygiene, restorative dentistry, root canal therapy, periodontal treatment, and implant dentistry, we perform procedures under sedation and general anesthesia in the operating room.

We also offer advanced treatment for cancer of the mouth through our Dental Oncology Program in cooperation with Radiation Oncology and Oncology. Our goal is to restore and maintain health and wellness for each patient, and to continue serving the surrounding community through our dentistry outreach programs.

Specialized Care

Our General Dentistry program provides a broad range of services, but for highly specialized needs, the department focuses on the following distinct subdivisions:

• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery: More than just tooth extractions, this specialty concentrates on treating infections and dental and jawbone conditions and disorders. We also perform complex procedures such as bone grafts, cleft lip and palate repair, post-traumatic jaw reconstruction, and repair of facial bone deformities (in conjunction with our Orthodontic, Craniofacial, and Plastic Surgery Departments). If a patient has lost a tooth or multiple teeth, we can replace them with dental implants, which are an affordable and attractive alternative to removable dentures and bridges. Plus they look, feel, and function like natural teeth, so there's no need to be bashful when it comes to a wide smile!
• Orthodontics: While this field is most commonly associated with children and braces, our experts also work in conjunction with other departments within the medical center to correct abnormalities of the jaws and facial skeleton. Through the use of implant and prosthetics, we offer esthetic and functional changes for our adult patients as well. Additionally, we perform numerous familial studies to determine the nature of certain developmental disorders and effect change by orthopedic growth modification.
• Pediatric Dentistry: Our Pediatric Dentists are committed to providing the highest level of care to the oral health needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Because their behavior, growth, and development are quite different from adults, children require unique treatment methods to avoid future dental problems. Our steadfast focus on prevention, early detection, and proper treatment of dental disease ï¾– as well as our highly specialized training, enables us to treat all children, including those with complex dental issues and special health care needs. Plus our child-friendly environment and communication style help kids feel good about visiting the dentist and caring for their teeth.
• Prosthodontics: Also known as Reconstructive Dentistry, Prosthodontics involves the replacement and restoration of teeth lost or damaged due to age or disease. Our specialists prepare bridges, dentures, crowns, and caps (laminates), and provide oral prostheses to correct defects caused by surgery and to assist those with respiratory problems and sleep apnea.

Excellence in Research

Our team participates in a variety of research projects to expand the reaches of current knowledge and techniques in all areas of modern dentistry. Among the many exciting developments, the Department of Dentistry is testing and investigating a human bone morphogenetic protein-2/absorbable collagen sponge developed by Genetics Institute for patients who have lost bone in the back (maxillary sinus) of their upper jaw. This unique absorbable collegen sponge (ACS) made from cow tendons acts as a carrier to supply the protein to the area of desired bone growth. The carrier is absorbed, meaning it will slowly and safely dissolve in the body. Studies in humans and animals with this particular protein have shown great strides with bone growth.

Additionally, clinical studies continue with the use of endosteal implants that are placed directly into the bone to provide an anchor for one or more artificial teeth to replace ones that have been lost. We continue to explore a variety of unique implant designs and advance the positive psychological impact of immediate tooth replacement.

Another area of concentration is a joint research effort between the Department of Orthodontics and the Center for Craniofacial Disorders. Our objectives are to:

• Incorporate the comprehensive database of all craniofacial patients with the departmental computerized charts to expand communication between clinicians and expedite data retrieval.
• Conduct a descriptive study of patientsï¾' characteristics (i.e. anatomy, type and location of clefts, feeding status, etc.).
• Collect and analyze data from orthodontics, oral, maxillofacial and plastic surgery, as well as pediatric neurosurgery and speech pathology.
• Evaluate the long-term impact on maxillofacial growth and speech treatment techniques.
• Identify risk factors and promote behavioral and health topics as they relate to craniofacial anomaly prevention in the New York Metropolitan area.