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About Kent Moore
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than 25 years of relevant experience, Dr. Kent E. Moore laid the foundations for his career in college and graduate school. After high school, Dr. Kent E. Moore enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where, from 1977 through 1981, he pursued undergraduate studies in a variety of subjects. Graduating from UNC with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Dr. Kent E. Moore chose to remain at his alma mater and entered the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. For the next three years, Dr. Kent E. Moore studied all facets of clinical dentistry, with a strong focus on basic and advanced oral and maxillofacial surgical training. An exemplary candidate at the UNC School of Dentistry, Dr. Kent E. Moore won admission to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and earned his D.D.S. degree (cum laude) in December 1984.
Following graduation, Dr. Kent E. Moore traveled to Kijabe, Kenya, where, for four months, he performed minor oral surgeries for patients at the Kijabe Medical Center. Returning to the U.S. at the end of this period, Dr. Kent E. Moore received a one-year fellowship in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. From July 1986 through June 1990, Dr. Kent E. Moore fulfilled his formal residency training at the University of Washington in Seattle, ultimately ascending to Chief Resident in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. During this time, Dr. Kent E. Moore also completed a term as Senior Resident in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Municipal Hospital of Arnhem in The Netherlands.
Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Kent E. Moore entered the Medical College of Virginia (now the VCU Medical Center) to work toward his M.D. An inductee to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and valedictorian of his GI Pathophysiology class, Dr. Kent E. Moore graduated with honors from the Medical College of Virginia in June 1993. Today, Dr. Kent E. Moore operates a private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Charlotte Oral Surgery.
Kent Moore's Publications
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Dr. Kent E. Moore on Dental Implants, Dr. Kent E. Moore
January, 2011
by Dr. Kent E. Moore
In the past, when people lost teeth prematurely, their only options were to use false teeth or to go toothless. In recent years, however, dental implant technology has advanced and now offers a viable way to replace missing teeth. Dental implants not only look like natural teeth, but also function just like teeth. The implants are small titanium anchors that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jaw where teeth are missing. The anchors effectively function just as the roots of a natural tooth, and the dentist uses them to attach replacement teeth. Using implants in place of missing teeth can help prevent bone deterioration and maintain facial structure, which may be compromised by missing teeth.
The entire process of implanting a fake tooth takes about six weeks and only involves one surgical procedure done under anesthesia to place the implants. In some cases, doctors place the implants under the surface to bond with the bone, and the procedure requires follow-up surgery after several months to expose the implants and attach posts. Other oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer initial surgery that implants the posts and leaves them exposed, eliminating the need for follow up surgery. In about six weeks, surgeons can place the teeth on the implants. In some cases, your surgeon can even place an implant with a crown on the same day he or she extracts your tooth. Talk with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon about your options for dental implants and tooth replacement, or visit CharlotteOralSurgery.com for more information.
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Treating TMJ Disorders, Kent E. Moore
March, 2011
by Kent E. Moore
As Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Charlotte Oral Surgery, I focus on sleep-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, as well as issue requiring corrective jaw surgery. One jaw-related issue often encountered in clinical practice is patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
TMJ disorders are linked to defects in the jaw joint and may be accompanied by pain or distinct clicking sounds. The chewing muscles and the jaw joints that connect the jaw to the skull function in a complex coordinated manner. There are numerous reasons for TMJ disorders, including grinding teeth, and tightening of the jaw muscles. Injuries and diseases such as arthritis can also have a negative effect, damaging the joint or stretching and tearing the muscle ligaments. In these cases, the disc, or cartilage cushion between the joint and the ligaments, can slip out of place, causing pain, misaligned bite, and difficulty opening the mouth wide or grating, and clicking noises.
If any of these symptoms arises, it is wise to consult with an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon immediately, as they can easily lead to more severe conditions that will be difficult to correct. Initial treatments for TMJ disorders often involve minimizing tension and stress in the jaw joint and joint muscles through oral prescriptions, such as pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Physical therapy regimes, mixed with eating soft foods and application of heat and ice have also proven effective. If these treatments do not solve the problem clear plastic splints, nightguards, and other appliances may be employed to confine the motion of the jaw. This prevents often unconscious clenching and grinding behaviors that occur during sleep and throughout the day.
In some cases, TMJ disorders impact how the teeth fit together, and dental solutions such as orthodontics, jaw repair, and bite adjustment may be necessary. Surgery is reserved for particularly severe cases where these treatments fail, and I don`t generally recommend it. Surgery may be necessary when patients cannot open their jaw, have nonreducible dislocations, or have significant joint degeneration. To learn more about medical options in treating TMJ disorders, visit Charlotte Oral Surgery at charlotteoralsurgery.com.
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