Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
What is Oral Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral maxillofacial surgery is a highly specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of complex and intricate conditions affecting the face, jaws, and oral cavity. This includes impacted wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement, facial trauma, congenital deformities, and managing other oral pathologies such as cysts, tumors and infections. Our surgeons are also extensively trained to perform delicate procedures such as jaw realignment and facial reconstructive surgery. At SMILEWORKS Dental Care,
our oral surgeons collaborate with other dental professionals and specialists to provide full comprehensive care, making their expertise vital in maintaining oral well being.
Tooth Extractions
Simple Extractions:
Extracting a tooth becomes essential due to different factors. This could be due to severe decay that can't be properly treated or instances of notable bone loss. Another common reason is the necessity to make room in the dental structure. Usually, these processes are done with the patient under local anesthesia, and the intricacy varies based on the individual case.
Complex Extractions:
When a tooth extraction involves cutting into the bone or the tooth itself, it's categorized as complex. This complexity often arises with severely damaged, bone-fused, or impacted teeth, requiring more intricate extraction procedures.Neglecting impacted teeth can lead to various issues, including adjacent teeth decay or reabsorption, inflammation, pain, and misalignment. This scenario is frequently seen with wisdom teeth, the final set of molars to emerge.
Extracting a tooth becomes essential due to different factors. This could be due to severe decay that can't be properly treated or instances of notable bone loss. Another common reason is the necessity to make room in the dental structure. Usually, these processes are done with the patient under local anesthesia, and the intricacy varies based on the individual case.
Complex Extractions:
When a tooth extraction involves cutting into the bone or the tooth itself, it's categorized as complex. This complexity often arises with severely damaged, bone-fused, or impacted teeth, requiring more intricate extraction procedures.Neglecting impacted teeth can lead to various issues, including adjacent teeth decay or reabsorption, inflammation, pain, and misalignment. This scenario is frequently seen with wisdom teeth, the final set of molars to emerge.
Orthognathic Surgery
Also known as jaw surgery, is a corrective procedure performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to realign the jaws and correct conditions related to the skeletal structure of the face. It's often used to treat severe cases of misaligned jaws (malocclusions) that can't be fixed through orthodontics alone.
The surgery involves making precise cuts in the jawbones and repositioning them to improve functionality, bite, and facial appearance. Prior to the surgery, extensive planning using imaging techniques like CT scans helps determine the precise adjustments needed. Post-surgery, patients typically undergo a period of healing, which may involve a temporary liquid or soft diet, followed by orthodontic treatment to fine-tune the bite alignment.
Orthognathic surgery aims to enhance chewing, speaking, and facial symmetry while also addressing issues like sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders caused by jaw misalignment. It's a significant procedure often considered for cases where jaw misalignment significantly impacts one's quality of life.
The surgery involves making precise cuts in the jawbones and repositioning them to improve functionality, bite, and facial appearance. Prior to the surgery, extensive planning using imaging techniques like CT scans helps determine the precise adjustments needed. Post-surgery, patients typically undergo a period of healing, which may involve a temporary liquid or soft diet, followed by orthodontic treatment to fine-tune the bite alignment.
Orthognathic surgery aims to enhance chewing, speaking, and facial symmetry while also addressing issues like sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders caused by jaw misalignment. It's a significant procedure often considered for cases where jaw misalignment significantly impacts one's quality of life.
Cysts and Tumors
Cysts and tumors in the orofacial area might stem from infected or impacted teeth, yet they can also develop independently of any dental connection. Typically, these growths are asymptomatic and are often incidentally found during routine check-ups or through X-rays. Once detected, they should be surgically removed and analyzed for identification. Excising these cysts or tumors necessitates surgical intervention.
Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Dental treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) aims to alleviate symptoms and improve jaw function. It involves various approaches depending on the specific issues experienced by the individual:
Dental treatments for TMD are generally aimed at reducing strain on the temporomandibular joint, correcting bite issues, and relieving symptoms like pain and restricted jaw movement. These treatments are often part of a comprehensive approach that may involve collaboration between dentists, oral surgeons,and other specialists to address the multifaceted nature of TMD.
- Occlusal splints or mouthguards: Custom-made appliances to be worn over the teeth, helping to alleviate pressure on the jaw joint, reduce grinding/clenching, and promote jaw alignment.
- Bite adjustments: Minor adjustments to the teeth to correct misalignments or irregularities that might contribute to TMD symptoms.
- Dental restorations: Sometimes, dental treatments like crowns, bridges, or orthodontics are used to restore proper bite alignment and alleviate pressure on the jaw joint.
- Orthodontic treatments: In cases where misalignment contributes to TMD, orthodontic interventions may be recommended to align the teeth and jaws properly.
Dental treatments for TMD are generally aimed at reducing strain on the temporomandibular joint, correcting bite issues, and relieving symptoms like pain and restricted jaw movement. These treatments are often part of a comprehensive approach that may involve collaboration between dentists, oral surgeons,and other specialists to address the multifaceted nature of TMD.
Bone Grafts
Bone grafting in dental terms refers to a surgical procedure aimed at rebuilding or augmenting bone structure in the jaw. This technique is commonly employed when the jawbone lacks adequate density or volume, often due to tooth loss, periodontal disease, or trauma. During the procedure, the dentist or oral surgeon places a special material, usually bone from another area of the body or synthetic bone, into the deficient area. This graft material acts as a scaffold, promoting the growth of new bone cells over time. Over several months, the grafted material integrates with the existing bone, reinforcing and strengthening the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for dental implants or other restorative procedures.
Bone grafts are crucial in dental treatments, facilitating the restoration of bone structure necessary for successful dental procedures like implants. This procedure not only helps regenerate bone but also aids in improving the jaw's structural integrity, ensuring proper support for dental prosthetics. It allows individuals who previously lacked sufficient bone density to be eligible for various dental treatments, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in their oral health.
Bone grafts are crucial in dental treatments, facilitating the restoration of bone structure necessary for successful dental procedures like implants. This procedure not only helps regenerate bone but also aids in improving the jaw's structural integrity, ensuring proper support for dental prosthetics. It allows individuals who previously lacked sufficient bone density to be eligible for various dental treatments, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in their oral health.