ment , is the highest of any treatment for sleep apnea short of tracheostomy . Dr . Bates explains , “ When we correct the jaw deformity , the obstructed airway is corrected as well .”
TMJ Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty
Dr . Bates was among the first in the area to adopt TMJ arthroscopy as a primary means of minimally-invasive surgical intervention for articular disc disorders and osteoarthritis of the TMJ . “ I actually learned arthroscopy from a couple of the real pioneers , Dr . Charles Holt and Dr . Dean White . Their studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of joint lavage combined with lysis of adhesions , more than can be accomplished with simple arthrocentesis . In our series , 67 % of patients undergoing arthroscopy experienced pain relief and restoration of function to the degree that no additional intervention was required .” For those patients with painful clicking or closed locks and salvageable discs on MRI , Dr . Bates has achieved a high success rate with disc repositioning using Mitek mini-anchors via a minimally-invasive modified endaural approach , as articulated by Dr . Larry Wolford . This is a relatively short outpatient procedure with a generally short and uneventful recovery , and with virtually no facial scar . “ However , for end-stage joint disease with advanced arthritis and disc deterioration , total joint replacement with custom-fitted condylar and fossa prostheses has proven to be a stable , long-term solution for many patients .”
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Reconstructive procedures are the primary focus of the practice , and the area of greatest interest for Dr . Bates . “ Orthognathic surgery is what first drew me to oral surgery . I entered dental school fully intending to become an orthodontist . I had closely observed my hometown orthodontist , Dr . Clifford Breaud , and was encouraged by that specialty ’ s blending of the scientific and the artistic , my two passions . One night during an orthodontics elective in my sophomore year , I was studying an orthodontics textbook in one of the study carrels in the library . Anyone who ’ s been to dental school knows those little dark rooms with a small desk , a table lamp , and an unmistakable sense of claustrophobia . Anyway , as I turned the pages of this book , I came upon a case report of a man with a noticeable jaw deformity , including old black and white photos of his deformed face before surgery . I became curious and , as I turned the page , I saw the man ’ s postoperative photos after correction of the deformity . Instantly I developed goosebumps on my arms , chills up and down my spine , and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end . That ’ s the moment I determined to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon , so that I could fix faces as well as smiles . Not to be melodramatic , but that
Photo by Ray Bryant , Bryant Studios night changed my life . I can ’ t imagine doing anything else with the skills and talents God has gifted me with . I absolutely love doing what we do every day . We ’ re exceedingly privileged to be given the opportunity to provide the treatment we do , and I ’ m thankful to our patients for allowing me to achieve a tremendous sense of fulfillment .”
ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY
Jaw growth is a gradual process and , in some instances , the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates . Injury to the jaw and birth defects can also affect jaw alignment and the dentofacial relationship . Misalignment of the upper and lower jaws can affect chewing , speech , breathing , appearance , and long-term
Larger than most hospital ORs , the operating room features custom-made Boyd operating tables .
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