Blog Archive
The medical name for a face-lift is a rhytidectomy. It’s a procedure that can improve your appearance by repositioning your skin, removing excess skin, and adjusting the position of fat and muscle beneath your skin. If you’re unhappy with how you look, you have options. Dr. Michael Nichols offers cosmetic...
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 75% of head and neck cancers begin in the mouth. Early detection plays a crucial role in improving outcomes, making regular screenings essential. By catching oral cancer in its earliest stages, patients have access to more effective treatment options, offering hope and a better...
Your face is amazingly expressive and likely a central element in how you feel about your appearance. But it’s exposed to the elements and subject to the forces of gravity and time. Although your health is our primary concern at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, Michael Nichols, DMD, MD,...
Unless you have serious dental problems or are missing teeth, you probably don’t think too much about how your teeth allow you to chew and speak comfortably or the importance of your teeth to your overall health. At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, Michael Nichols, DMD, MD, and his...
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are surprisingly common, affecting nearly a third of adults and more than 11% of children and adolescents. Facial trauma, unusual jaw anatomy, and chronic grinding and clenching habits are all potential causes of TMJ disorders, and arthritis and genetics can contribute, too. While many people with...
You’ve always liked your nose well enough: It fits your face and is a major part of what makes you look like yourself. Still, if you could make a few minor improvements, you would — you just don’t think the subtle shape changes you’re seeking are worth the intensive cosmetic...
To some, wrinkles and creases are a sign of increased wisdom that comes with age. To most, though, fine lines, wrinkles, and drooping and sagging skin are a reminder that you’re not as young as you once were. Fortunately, that’s where procedures like brow lifts and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can...
Lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity are all inevitable parts of aging. Collagen and elastin, two structural proteins that give your skin strength and resiliency, start declining in your mid-20s and continue to diminish with each succeeding year. That doesn’t mean you have to accept the inevitable. Several cosmetic treatments that...
Summer is a great time to head outdoors for fun in the sun, but the sun can wreak havoc on your skin. While once it was beautifully blemish-free, the ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause dark spots, wrinkles, and other skin damage that can dull your enthusiasm for that beautiful tan....
Scars are a result of the body’s healing process. When you have a cut or wound in your skin, your body sends healing factors to the site to repair the tissue and close the gap. If there’s a buildup of tissue, though, the result is a scar that marks the...
Your third set of molars, colloquially known as wisdom teeth, are essentially a relic from the days when humans lived in caves and ate tough foods that needed lots of grinding. Today, though, we don’t need them to survive, and that’s a good thing. While some people’s wisdom teeth emerge...
The American Academy of Prosthodontists estimates that about 40 million Americans have lost all their teeth. That’s about 30% of adults between 65-74 years old, making tooth loss a major health problem, especially in older populations. It used to be that the only restoration option was a full set of...
Your wisdom teeth don’t make you wise. In fact, you’re often wise if you have them removed. This third set of molars were useful when humans lived in caves and ate tough foods that needed extra grinding, but modern-day people don’t need them to survive. In fact, while some people’s...
Spring cleaning is almost upon us, and what better way to start than by giving your skin a deep, nourishing cleaning with a HydraFacial. This multistep facial treatment is typically performed with a proprietary machine — HydraFacial MD® — manufactured by technology leader, Edge Systems. At Oral & Facial Surgery...
When you feel younger than you look in the mirror, your self-confidence can take a hit. The visible signs of aging — fine lines, wrinkles, dry and sagging skin, and even acne pits and scars — creep up on us all, and sooner than you might think. But you don’t...
Valentine’s Day says “pucker up,” but are your lips ready to celebrate? Maybe you think they’re too thin or too flat or not enticingly shaped. Whatever the reason, you may be looking to give them a boost. At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood, board-certified oral and maxillofacial...
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a collection of problems related to the hinge joint of your jaw and the surrounding tissues. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and prompt treatment are important. At Oral & Facial Plastic Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood,...
Chin augmentation, also known as genioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reconfigures the contours of your chin, neck, and jawline. Generally, the surgeon places an implant around your existing chin bone to augment the chin’s size and shape, which helps create a more naturally attractive balance between facial features. Board-certified...
A sinus lift isn’t a cosmetic procedure; it’s a bone-grafting surgery oral surgeons use to create enough space in your mouth to install dental implants to replace missing teeth. At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Michael Nichols uses sinus lifts to...
Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars, and they’re the last teeth to grow in, usually erupting between ages 17-25. While it’s possible for them to grow into a jaw large enough to accommodate them, most people only have room for 28, not 32, teeth. Without enough space to...
If you’re struggling with fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, or acne scars, you may not feel that you’re putting your best face forward. There are several minimally invasive facial treatments out there that address one or maybe two issues, but if you’re looking for a more inclusive treatment, chemical peels...
Mouth (oral) cancer refers to a cancerous lesion (or tumor) that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth, including the: Lips Gums Tongue Under the tongue (floor) Roof (upper palate) Inner cheek lining Face Neck Oral cancer and other head/neck cancers are often treated similarly. At...
When you’ve had a tooth extracted, one temporary but painful complication is called dry socket, and it usually needs to be treated by your dentist. There are things you can do, though, that prevent dry socket from occurring, making your recovery quicker and easier. Dr. Michael Nichols of Oral &...
Lips that display a full, pouty look can be an attractive asset to your facial features. If yours don’t quite measure up to the image you have in mind, a lip augmentation procedure may be the right thing for you. At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood, Dr....
Clefts in the lip and/or palate occur when fetal tissues fail to fuse properly during development. These two conditions affect about 1 in 1,000 babies every year, making them the fourth most common birth defect in the US. Since the lip and the palate develop at different times, it’s possible...
Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars and the last of your adult teeth to emerge through the gum tissue. For most people, they come in between ages 17-25. While some people’s wisdom teeth come in normally, for many, they cause problems that require a dentist or oral...
Aging can be hard on your skin. The smooth, taut, pliable tissue you had when you were young inevitably gives way to fine lines and wrinkles, sagging, and areas of hyperpigmentation or rough texture. Add to that the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, cigarette smoke, and environmental toxins,...
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you have a number of options to replace them. You can get a dental bridge, which is anchored to the teeth or dental crowns on either side of the gap; you can get a partial denture, where resin “teeth” are welded to a...
When it comes to breathing, we usually focus on our nose and lungs. But the symmetry and structure of your jaw play a critical role in the process, too. At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Michael Nichols, DMD, MD, specializes in procedures designed...
Dr. Nichols was recently interviewed for this article in Mississippi’s “Well Being” Magazine….check it out for some great insight into both the prevention and treatment of scarring in children…and adults too! https://www.maxsurg.com/files/2016/09/Scarring-in-kids.pdf