Dr. Karakourtis provides a full range of Oral and Maxillofacial surgical services. With many years of surgical experience, Dr. Karakourtis can provide the highest quality care and expert treatment. Dr. Karakourtis maintains current state licenses and anesthesia permits for the procedures he performs.

He specializes in:

• Dental Implants - To replace missing teeth and stabilize dentures.
• Deformities of the Jaws - Surgery for the correction of deformities of the jaws and face.
• Wisdom Teeth - Extraction of teeth including removal of wisdom teeth.
• TMJ Disorder – Management of Temporomandibular joint pain and symptoms.
• Related Oral and Maxillofacial Services

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Dr. Karakourtis: Dr. Karakourtis received his dental degree from Loyola University Chicago College of Dental Surgery. His residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was completed at Charity Hospital of Louisiana. Dr. Karakourtis is Board Certified and a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Karakourtis is on the active staff of Edward Hospital in Naperville and the Courtesy Staff of Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, The American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He is also a member of the Illinois and Chicago Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and an active member of the American Dental Association, as well as the Illinois and Chicago Dental Society. He is past President of the Chicago Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and served as clinical associate professor, Department or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Loyola University School of Dentistry. He has numerous National and International Professional Memberships including The American College of Oral Implantology, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, The International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is certified by the American Heart Association in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Dr. Karakourtis has been practicing in Naperville, Illinois since 1971.

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Dental Implants

Dr. Karakourtis has been surgically placing dental implants for over 25 years. He has extensive experience in bone and tissue grafting techniques, which at times is required to surgically place dental implants. Dr. Karakourtis utilizes the most current techniques in implant treatment placing. Cross-sectional and longitudinal tomographic images of the jaws can be taken with our state of the art x-ray machine. This is paramount for locating anatomical structures and determining width and height of bone before placing dental implants.

Over 100 million Americans are missing one or more of their natural teeth. Over 25 million are totally without teeth and are wearing dentures that do not fit properly.

Dental implants are tooth root substitutes that are surgically inserted in the jawbone to replace lost natural teeth. The implants provide a stable foundation on which replacement teeth are attached. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth. The number of implants you will need depends on whether you are replacing a single tooth, several teeth or all of your upper or lower teeth. The number of implants needed to replace all your upper or lower teeth will vary depending on the type of dental prosthesis. With a fixed prosthesis you will not be able to remove or take out the replacement teeth. With a removable prosthesis you can take the replacement teeth out of your mouth to make cleaning easier. Many people who are missing teeth feel embarrassed about the appearance of their mouth. Others are self-conscious about speaking or eating because their removal denture is ill fitting and may slip during use.

Dental implants are the best replacement for missing natural teeth. With Dental Implants, missing teeth can be replaced, and removable dentures can be made more stable so they will function properly, and fit more comfortably. Dental implants restore your ability to bite, chew, speak, and smile with confidence.

To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, have a consultation with your general dentist or an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

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Deformities of the Jaws and Face

The bones and teeth in a healthy jaw are a "matched set." If they come together evenly when you chew, you have a normal bite. If the relationship between your forehead, lips and chin is a pleasing one, you have a proportional appearance.

When jaws fail to grow properly, they can interfere with the alignment of the teeth, chewing, swallowing, speech and breathing.

Developmental growth abnormalities or irregularities of the jaws and face can create a malocclusion (bad bite), facial asymmetry, facial pain, TMJ Disorder, and an undesirable appearance. Treatment usually consists of "orthodontics" to straighten the teeth, and "orthognathic " surgery to straighten and correct the jaw malformation and malocclusion. Orthognathic surgery creates facial harmony, improves your appearance and the way you look to others, and the way you feel about yourself. It also improves the ability to chew, speak and breathe properly.

Conditions that may indicate treatment for Orthognathic Surgery may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Protruding jaw
• Receding chin or jaw
• Open bite (upper and lower teeth do not touch when mouth is closed)
• Chronic mouth breathing with dry mouth
• Difficulty chewing or biting food
• Speech problem
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unbalanced facial appearance
• Excessive wearing of teeth
• Chronic jaw pain
• Inability to make lips meet without effort

Dr. Karakourtis specializes in Orthognathic and Facial surgery, to correct deformities, irregularities, and growth malformations of the jaws and face, including severe malocclusion and facial asymmetry. With many years of orthognathic and reconstructive surgical experience, Dr. Karakourtis can provide expert treatment and optimum surgical results when corrective jaw and facial surgery is necessary.

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Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molar teeth, are the last teeth to emerge into the mouth during the late teens, or "age of wisdom," which gives them their name. Most often there is not enough room in the jaw for the teeth to properly erupt into the mouth causing the teeth to remain partially or completed imbedded. Early removal of impacted teeth give patients the advantage of rapid healing and less postoperative problems, and may prevent serious complications such as permanent damage to adjacent teeth, cyst formation, periodontal disease, infections, and crowding of other teeth in the mouth. Impacted teeth should be removed as soon as it is evident that they will not properly erupt into the oral cavity. Wisdom teeth are easiest to remove in patients ages 15-21 or before they become a problem.

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TMJ Disorder

TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint, Disorder is a problem that can cause pain of the jaw, face, head, and neck. Some of the common symptoms of TMJ Disorder include pain in the jaw joint area, clicking or locking of the jaw with associated muscle pain, and frequent headaches. A severe malocclusion (bad bite), clenching or grinding habits, and emotional stress can contribute to TMJ disorder, muscle spasms, and facial pain. Early diagnosis and treatment may help eliminate symptoms, prevent degenerative changes in the jaw joint, and possibly prevent joint surgery.

TMJ Disorder treatment can range from self-care techniques, to more extensive physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

Self-Care Techniques may include the following:

• Avoiding hard foods
• Proper exercise
• Ice packs and moist heat
• Relaxation techniques
• Medications

Physical Therapy may include a variety of techniques such as:

• Jaw exercise
• Posture training – of the head, neck and jaw
• Ultrasound
• Relaxation techniques and biofeedback

Splint Therapy and Dental Treatment including the following:

• Occlusal splint – nightguard device to prevent clenching and grinding.
• Orthodontic treatment to correct a bad bite.
• Dental fillings, replacement of missing teeth and bite adjustments.
• Orthognathic or corrective jaw surgery – to reposition, straighten, and restore balance to the jaws, teeth and face.

TMJ Surgical Options may include the following:

• TMJ Arthroscopy – A miniature telescopic instrument through which the jaw joint can be visualized.
• TMJ Arthroplasty – Joint surgery to expose the joint and perform repair procedures in the jaw joint.
• Complex TMJ Surgery – For severe joint deterioration and certain cases of arthritis; procedures such as removal and replacement of the disc, bone recontouring and artificial joint replacement.

If you are experiencing symptoms of pain in your face, jaw, head or neck, you may be suffering from TMJ Disorder and muscular pain. A thorough evaluation and TMJ examination can help establish a diagnosis and proper treatment.

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Related Oral and Maxillofacial Services

ORAL MEDICINE - Diagnosis and treatment of lesions, tumors, and other diseases of the mouth and jaws.

PRE-PROSTHETIC SURGERY - Preparation of the jaws to receive new dentures; including bone and tissue grafting and repositioning of gum tissue.

FACIAL INJURIES - Diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries of the face, jaws, mouth or teeth such as fractures and lacerations.

MANAGEMENT OF FACIAL PAIN - Diagnosis and treatment of facial, muscular and TMJ pain.

INFECTIONS - Diagnosis and treatment of dental, oral and facial infections.

CONTROLLING PAIN AND ANXIETY - Intravenous sedation and general anesthesia utilized during surgical procedure.

LASER SURGERY - State of the Art CO2 Laser is utilized for certain surgeries of the mouth and removal of skin lesions of the face and neck. With a CO2 laser there is usually no cutting with a surgical blade, there is no bleeding, and normally no stitches are needed.

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Office Hours Weekdays: 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. (Except Thursday)

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