Dentistry / Oral Health Services
Comprehensive Dental Services
St. Josephs’s Health provides inpatient and outpatient dental services for adults and children. In addition to managing urgencies and emergencies, dentists provide comprehensive oral health care including the full spectrum of diagnostic, preventive and treatment services. General dentistry and dental specialty services including prosthodontics, periodontics, and endodontics are based at the Family Health Center at 11 Getty Avenue in Paterson. Outpatient special care for medically complex patients and for mentally and physically challenged children is also available at this site. Hygiene services including education, prevention and treatment are provided at the Family Health Center for the special care and general patient population.
The operating room at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center is specially equipped for the full scope of general dentistry including: imaging, restorative procedures, preventive care, endodontic and periodontal treatment as well as extraction of teeth. Patients unable to receive care in the outpatient environment may be candidates for comprehensive dental treatment under general anesthesia in the operating room.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The oral and maxillofacial surgery section manages facial trauma patients as well as those with head and neck tumors, clefts and other congenital and acquired deformities and individuals requiring surgical procedures in the mouth such as placement of dental implants and removal of third molars (wisdom teeth). The newly renovated, state-of-the-art oral surgery facility is located on the Medical Center campus at 703 Main Street in Paterson.
Outpatient procedures may be conducted using local anesthesia alone or with patients under sedation. Individuals requiring more complex maxillofacial surgical procedures under general anesthesia are treated in operating suites also located at the main hospital. These procedures include removal of tumors, reconstructive procedures, temporomandibular joint surgery, skin and bone grafting, distraction osteogenesis and orthognathic (jaw alignment) surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons participate in the team care of patients of the Regional Craniofacial Center using advanced techniques and methods including craniofacial implants to support prosthetic facial parts such as ears, eyes and noses, and CT image-driven surgical planning to improve outcomes and reduce operating time.
Orthodontics
St. Joseph’s Department of Dentistry provides comprehensive orthodontic care to patients with functional and/or cosmetic needs. As core members of the hospital’s craniofacial team, staff orthodontists care for patients with cleft lip and palate and other dentofacial conditions, integrating this treatment with services provided by other involved specialty groups.
The full range of orthodontic services is available to populations with special needs as well to any children and adults who wish to have straighter teeth and a healthy bite. Orthodontic treatment is available in the form of metal braces, ceramic (tooth-colored) braces and clear aligners (Invisalign).
Other services include opening collapsed spaces prior to implant placement and the use of expansion appliances and headgear. In addition, orthodontists may be involved in treating patients as young as 5 years old using functional appliances to help stop damaging habits such as thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting.
Pediatric Dental Services
The pediatric dentistry division of the Department of Dentistry provides a dental home for children from Paterson and the surrounding communities. Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient pediatric oral health care is provided in a family-centered environment. Our goal is to provide children with a positive dental experience and to encourage healthy dental habits that last a lifetime.
Our services include: cleanings and examinations, sealants, fillings, tooth extractions, space maintainers, interceptive orthodontic appliances and patient/parent education including dietary counseling, Outpatient procedures are provided at the Family Health Center, located at 21 Market Street, Paterson, NJ. Emergency services, treatment under sedation and inpatient care, including oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia, are provided at the hospital’s main campus located at 703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ.
Our staff is also well equipped to provide services to pediatric patients with special health care needs. Children with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial issues who receive team care at the Regional Craniofacial Center may access comprehensive dental treatment at our facilities.
