Oral surgery and dentoalveolar surgery are two terms used to describe oral and maxillofacial surgery. Surgeries involving teeth are simple tooth extractions and surgical treatments. In this article, we will discuss all the procedures that a maxillofacial surgeon performs.
What is An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
“Maxillofacial” refers to the face and jaw, while “oral” refers to the mouth.
Pakistan is amongst some of the countries where people don’t pay heed to their oral health. We take oral health for granted most of the time. That is why it is quite difficult to find a credible maxillofacial surgeon in Islamabad in case of any oral procedure.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental professionals who have received board certification. They undertake treatments in the maxillofacial region that are both mild and invasive (mouth, face, and jaw). Oral surgeons often work full-time in private clinics and hospitals in their communities.
Common Maxillofacial Surgeries Include:
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Minimally Invasive Tooth Extractions
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Surgical removal of wisdom teeth, worn out and retained tooth roots.
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Biopsy to treat and diagnose oral cancer. The surgeon takes a small sample of abnormal cells for lab testing.
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To prepare for orthodontic treatment, affected canines get exposed.
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orthognathic (jaw) surgery to fix jaw discrepancies.
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Removal of the cyst from jaw, mouth, or facial region.
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Removal of cancerous tumors from jaw, mouth, or facial region.
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Facial and jaw reconstruction.
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Facial cosmetic surgeries include Rhinoplasty, facelifts, nose reconstruction, eye socket reconstruction, and otoplasty.
When to See an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
There are many different types of oral and maxillofacial surgeries, such as implants and extractions. As discussed earlier, you can struggle to find a good dentist in Islamabad, let alone a maxillofacial surgeon. Patients usually need oral surgery due to:
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Accidental injuries
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Trauma
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Diseases
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Deformities
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Periodontal issues
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Dental caries
For all oral procedures, a local anesthetic is also employed. An oral surgeon may consider combining a local anesthetic with conscious sedation or a general anesthetic. This depends on the type of surgery. The following are examples of common surgical procedures:
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom tooth extraction is a specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (third molars). They excel in using higher degrees of sedation than non-specialized or regular dentists. Surgeons recommend I.V for patients who prefer to sleep during the surgery. It takes around 30 minutes to extract all molars.
Dental Implants
A dental implant may deem necessary after a tooth extraction or tooth loss. This is a replacement tooth root for your permanent tooth. The restorations are surgically placed into your jawbone during dental implant surgery. They provide a solid foundation for artificial teeth (dental crowns).
The surgeon may recommend dentures instead of dental implants if you have a lot of lost teeth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform dental implant surgery. They can also administer general anesthesia and other forms of sedation at a deeper level.
Oral, Neck, or Head Cancer
Mouth surgeons are directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of oral cancer. Doctors and physicians play a part as well. The creation of aberrant carcinoma cells is the first step in the development of oral cancer. It leads to the development of mouth sores (cancerous lesions).
Oral cancer can occur everywhere in the mouth, including the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, palate, sinuses, and the mouth’s floor. Oral cancer includes cancers of the neck and the esophagus. The disease is life-threatening if not treated early.
Reconstructive Jaw Surgery
Reconstructive, or corrective jaw surgery, is another type of oral and maxillofacial surgery. It treats facial damage, soft tissue issues caused by an injury, and/or jaw reconstruction.
Reconstructive surgery restores the function and form of a patient’s natural characteristics. These procedures need the use of skin, nerve, or bone grafts from another region of the patient’s body. Cosmetic procedures need the same abilities. These are cosmetic procedures that improve the appearance of the face due to aging or trauma.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)
TMD is the most common temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJD). TMD patients experience headaches, earaches, and pain when opening or closing their mouths. Over time, lifestyle adjustments and tailored mouthguards can help ease symptoms and pain. A dental surgeon performs arthrocentesis in severe cases of TMD.
Cleft Lip and Palate
Cleft lip and palate are birth abnormalities that occur when the lips or palate of a baby do not develop normally. The problem appears early in the pregnancy. Because the lip and palate develop independently, a cleft lip, palate, or both can occur.
Cranial surgery is usually performed when a child is between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Surgery can benefit older people as well, but it is less usual.
Orthognathic Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery, as well as orthodontics, are all part of orthognathic (jaw) surgery. The term “orthognathic” means “straight jaw.” To repair jaw abnormalities and inconsistencies, it combines orthodontic treatment with surgical surgery.
Jaw surgery may entail adjusting the jaw’s location and size. It may also include correcting severe malocclusions (bad bites). This is for people who do not respond to simple treatments like braces or clear aligners.
Cosmetic Surgeries
Oral surgeons conduct a wide range of cosmetic procedures besides dental implants. Cosmetic operations can improve your looks and self-confidence by changing the shape and appearance of your face. These procedures are not covered by insurance since they are elective.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, it’s most likely because a procedure you need isn’t covered by your current healthcare provider or dentist. It doesn’t mean the issue is intrinsically more dangerous; rather, the surgery would benefit from the expertise of a specialist trained to work on the intricate structures of the face, jaw, mouth, and skull.
