Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a branch of dentistry that involves surgical procedures on parts of the mouth, jaws, and face. Each of these procedures helps restore patients to a more normal appearance and functions. Your dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon when additional assistance is required. Oral surgeons provide surgical treatment for various facial injuries, TMJ problems, oral pathology, facial trauma, cancer treatment, and orthognathic surgery.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt (come out) in your mouth. They tend to erupt between 17 and 25 years old, but sometimes they may emerge earlier or later than expected. Wisdom teeth that do not come out properly can cause pain, infection, soft tissue damage, and even tooth misalignment if left untreated.
Dental Implants
The most common type of oral surgery is the placement of dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces the root of the tooth that is missing. It is inserted into your jawbone, and then you get a permanent crown to attach to it. This new tooth looks and feels like your natural tooth, so it's easy to forget that you even had surgery.
Bone Grafting
If there is not enough bone to support a dental implant or other procedure, then bone grafting may be necessary to prepare the jawbone for treatment. Bone grafts are harvested from other areas of your body (such as your hip) and implanted into your jawbone during the procedure. This allows enough bone to grow so that further treatment can be done successfully.
Cleft Palate Repair
A Cleft palate is a congenital disability that causes the roof of the mouth to be split into two parts. It usually occurs in the upper lip and palate. This can cause problems with eating, speaking, and hearing. Cleft palate repair surgery is used to correct this defect and help people form words properly.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a branch of dentistry that involves surgical procedures on parts of the mouth, jaws, and face. Each of these procedures helps restore patients to a more normal appearance and functions. Your dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon when additional assistance is required. Oral surgeons provide surgical treatment for various facial injuries, TMJ problems, oral pathology, facial trauma, cancer treatment, and orthognathic surgery.