Essential Operations Performed by Oral Surgeons: A Comprehensive Guide
ShareOral surgeons treat various dental conditions that require surgical intervention. With extensive training beyond dental school, they're equipped to handle complex dental issues ranging from impacted teeth to facial injuries. This article details several operations that oral surgeons can perform to address dental problems.
Tooth Extractions
One of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons is tooth extraction. This operation becomes necessary when teeth are badly damaged, decayed, or overcrowded. Wisdom teeth removal, particularly, often falls under the expertise of an oral surgeon thanks in part to the complexity that can arise if these teeth are impacted or positioned awkwardly.
Dental Implants
Oral surgeons play a crucial role in the placement of dental implants. These artificial tooth roots provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth. The process will typically involve surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone, which would then fuse with the bone over time. This procedure offers a long-term solution for tooth loss.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is another operation within the scope of an oral surgeon. This procedure corrects a range of skeletal and dental irregularities, including misalignment of jaws and teeth. It can significantly improve chewing, speaking, and breathing.
Treatment of Oral Diseases
Oral surgeons will be specifically trained to diagnose as well as treat various diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. This includes benign mouth tumors, cysts, and malignant oral, head, and neck cancer. They're also skilled in conducting biopsies to diagnose potential oral cancers.
Facial Injury Repair
Oral surgeons are adept at repairing facial injuries. They can treat fractures in the upper and lower jaw, cheekbones, nose, and eye sockets. Additionally, they can handle complex cases involving extensive soft tissue injuries in the mouth, face, or neck.
Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
Cleft lip and palate are both different yet similar birth defects that end up occurring when a baby's mouth is unable to form properly during pregnancy. Oral surgeons work as part of a team of healthcare providers to correct these issues, helping improve the child's ability to eat, speak normally, and have a normal facial appearance.
In conclusion, oral surgeons possess the skills and knowledge to perform a variety of complex operations beyond the scope of general dentistry. Whether it's extracting impacted teeth, placing dental implants, correcting jaw misalignments, treating oral diseases, repairing facial injuries, or fixing cleft lip and palate, they're equipped to handle numerous dental issues effectively.
Remember, oral health significantly impacts overall well-being. Therefore, it's crucial to seek timely expert intervention for any oral concerns. With their advanced training and expertise, oral surgeons can provide the necessary surgical care to maintain optimal oral health.