Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose, surgically treat and manage injuries and disorders of the jaws and face. Some basic vocabulary is helpful in understanding more about this specialty.
Maxillofacial refers to the bones and tissues of the face and jaws.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons’ training begins with four years of dental school. This is followed by another four years or more of a residency program, usually at a hospital. They train alongside residents in general surgery, internal medicine and anesthesiology. Their practice includes extracting wisdom teeth, corrective jaw surgery, dental implant surgery, bone grafting, and removing of complex tumors, among others. Most oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments can be done comfortably with local anesthesia. Occasionally, a complicated and lengthy surgical procedure may require general anesthesia and may need to be performed in a hospital or specialized clinic.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments:
Descriptions of some common Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeries
(Please note that more details can be found in linked pages found at the bottom of this page)
Wisdom tooth extractions
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear between the ages of 17 to 25. As they grow in later than other permanent teeth, there is often no adequate space in the mouth for them. In such cases, the wisdom teeth remain completely or partially impacted within the gum tissue. When left untreated, impacted teeth cause damage to nearby teeth, infection, and even cysts or tumors. Even fully erupted wisdom teeth may have these problems, with symptoms of persistent swelling and pain.
To minimize the risks associated with extraction, it is greatly recommended that impacted or symptomatic wisdom teeth be taken out as early as possible. In some cases, these molars are removed to prevent teeth overcrowding. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia.
Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots which hold replacements for teeth. The initial stage of implanting the titanium post into the jaw is often done by an oral surgeon. The subsequent steps of affixing the abutment and the crown may be done by the same surgeon or the patient’s general dentist.
Tooth root surgeries
Apicoectomy, or root-end resection, is occasionally needed when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure. The endodontist or oral surgeon opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed. A small filling is placed to seal the end of the root canal and few stitches are placed to help the tissue heal. Hemisection refers to cutting a double-rooted tooth in half when only one of the roots is infected but treatable. The root canal is treated and then the tooth is restored. Root amputation, the surgical removal of one root in a multi-rooted molar, is performed when only one root is severely infected, while the rest of the tooth structure is healthy.
Soft tissue surgery
Most soft tissue surgery involves removing or adding and reshaping gum tissue. Chronically diseased gums and deep bacterial pockets may need to be removed (gingivectomy) in order to prevent damage to the teeth and bones supporting them. Removal and reshaping of the gums in the procedure called crown lengthening ensures that a sufficient portion of the tooth’s structure is exposed to securely hold a crown and also improves the patient’s appearance. Sometimes soft tissue must be grafted on to cover an exposed root and prevent further gum recession.
Bone grafting
Bone grafting is the process of surgically adding either natural bone or synthetic bone material to specific areas of the jaw. The added material grows together with the natural bone over time. It is often done prior to implant surgery when a patient does not have sufficient bone to safely support the implant. Those with bone loss in the upper jaw may undergo a surgical procedure called sinus lift, wherein part of the sinus membrane is moved to make room for the bone graft. Another procedure that may be done to address deformities or injuries to either upper or lower jaws is called ridge modification.
Orthognathic surgery and post-trauma facial reconstruction
Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery is done to correct irregularities characterized my a misaligned jaw or improper bite which cannot be corrected by orthodontic procedures. Misaligned jaws can cause difficulty with eating, speech and breathing, as well as esthetic concerns such as receding chin. It is often a factor in sleep apnea. The diagnosis and treatment plan is likely to involve the collaboration of a dentist, orthodontist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Trauma injuries to the face usually include soft tissue damage, bone damage, and damage to the teeth and surrounding structures. So reconstructive surgery is likely to include grafting and suturing, and, often, small plates and screws to stabilize fractured bones. Each case is individual. Our 7 Day Dental oral and maxillofacial surgeons have the expertise to devise and execute the best treatment plan for each patient.
Oral pathology treatment
Oral cancer lesions in the cheeks, tongue and jaw tissues are generally treatable when detected early. During an oral cancer screening, an irregularity may be detected which requires a biopsy – the removal of a small amount of tissue for laboratory analysis. Malignant lesions or tumors that are highly localized can usually be removed by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the office, with the patient under local anesthetic. Non-cancerous cysts and benign tumors also pose a health risk and are often surgically removed.
Many people find the whole idea of getting Laguna Woods dentures overwhelming. It doesn’t need to be that way at all. Millions of people wear dentures and live life to the fullest. Here’s a few things to consider about these appliances. First things first, you’ll need to get fitted for
When older people come in to see us at our Dental Implant Services Orange County facility, we always tell them that it’s perfectly natural that the health of your original teeth start to go downward as you get older. It doesn’t even matter if you practice a perfect oral hygiene
We have Laguna Woods geriatric dentistry professionals on staff who care. They want you to enjoy a beautiful smile and dental health well into your golden years. Not only do our dental experts want you to look good, they want you to smell nice too! That’s why we’ve put together
"*" indicates required fields
