Oral surgery, also known as oral and maxillofacial surgery, is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating various conditions, diseases, injuries, and defects related to the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. Oral surgeons are dental specialists who have undergone additional training beyond dental school to acquire expertise in surgical procedures involving the oral and facial regions.
Oral surgery can involve a wide range of surgical procedures, including:
Tooth extractions: Oral surgeons are often involved in the extraction of impacted or severely damaged teeth, such as wisdom teeth.
Dental implants: Oral surgeons perform dental implant surgeries, which involve the placement of artificial tooth roots into the jawbone to support dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Corrective jaw surgery: Also known as orthognathic surgery, this procedure is performed to correct facial skeletal irregularities, such as misaligned jaws, which can cause problems with chewing, speaking, and breathing.
Bone grafting: When there is insufficient bone in the jaw to support dental implants, oral surgeons may perform bone grafting procedures to augment the bone structure.
Treatment of oral infections: Oral surgeons may diagnose and treat infections in the oral and maxillofacial region, such as abscesses or cysts.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Oral surgeons may address disorders affecting the TMJ, which can cause jaw pain, difficulty in jaw movement, and related issues.
Facial trauma: Oral surgeons are often involved in the treatment of facial injuries resulting from accidents, sports-related incidents, or other traumatic events. This can include fractures of the jaw, facial bones, or soft tissue injuries.
Oral pathology: Oral surgeons may perform biopsies and remove tumors or lesions affecting the oral cavity.
These are just a few examples of the procedures that oral surgeons may perform. Oral surgery aims to improve oral health, restore function, relieve pain, and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the face and jaw. If you have a specific concern or condition, it is important to consult with an oral surgeon to determine the best course of treatment.
