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Oral surgery is a concept that causes unpleasant associations for many people. However, it is difficult to imagine medicine without this field. Although the oral surgeon most often deals with procedures included in dentistry, this medical specialization combines many others. This field of medicine is, of course, made up of elements of dental and plastic surgery, traumatology, general medicine, and sometimes also oncology.
Oral surgeons most often perform such procedures as tooth extraction from socket sockets, root tip resection, root extraction, bone stabilization and tooth transposition. More serious procedures account for only a small percentage of maxillary surgery, but they are of great importance, especially when it concerns damage or even deformation of the facial skeleton as a result of accidents. The oral surgeon is able to perform complex operations where a plastic surgeon or dentist cannot help.
Oral surgery – malocclusion
Surgical procedures are necessary in many cases when an incorrect bite is involved. The maxillary surgeon steps in when the patient has an abnormal mandible protrusion, narrowing of the jaw, or a so-called open bite. Often times, maxillary surgery is the only solution in the event of abnormalities in the structure of the chin. This is the only way to model the lower part of the face and give it the right shape, reduce or enlarge the beard.
Oral surgery – accident injuries
Oral surgery is a real godsend for patients who have experienced bone fractures within the jaw, face or the mandible itself. Such fractures usually occur in the course of traffic accidents, in victims of construction disasters, in fights or in the case of other mechanical injuries, often sports. Procedures in this area are performed under local or general anesthesia. Provision of the injured consists in placing special splints, prostheses or other metal microplates, thanks to which you can recreate the shape of the bones, protect them and enable the patient to recover.
Other special cases
Oral surgery is necessary in many other cases where it is the only form of assistance available to the patient. This happens when there are bumps or cysts in places that cannot be reached using standard dental procedures. If the lesions occur in such places or even in the vicinity of the maxillary sinuses, oral surgery usually turns out to be necessary.
The maxillary surgeon is able to eliminate and heal bone inflammation caused by the degradation of the teeth themselves. He also performs tooth apex resections, which involves cutting the mucosa and exposing the bones. This way, you can remove any root cysts and other inflammatory tissue changes.
Children and adolescents also benefit from the services of an oral surgeon, especially when there is so-called tooth retention. It is found when the teeth stop growing because they cannot penetrate the mucosa and simply grow in the center of the bone. Such a situation can be dangerous, because it can lead to serious inflammation, uncontrolled pushing out of the adjacent teeth, not to mention pain. Tooth retention occurs most often with eights, and then usually must be surgically removed.
Implants are becoming more and more popular
The implantation of implants has become the domain of oral surgeons. It is a method of supplementing missing teeth, which is becoming more and more popular every year due to the comfort of patients and lower prices. It is the surgeon who deals with the so-called implantological qualification and he also reconstructs the bone material of the base and prepares the gum itself for implantation of the implant.
Sometimes an evaluation by the oral surgeon is also necessary before placing the prosthesis in the mouth so that it holds up well and allows the patient to function normally. Sometimes a so-called preparatory procedure is necessary, in which various irregularities, folds or thickenings are removed, which makes it possible to perfectly prepare a removable prosthesis. In some cases, only a few implants are inserted and the prosthesis is placed on them, which gives the patient even more comfort.
Oral surgeon – where to look for him?
Such specialists can be found in special clinics of maxillofacial surgery and these are places perfectly prepared for even the most complex procedures in this field. In such departments, you can also count on excellent outpatient counseling, which in many cases turns out to be extremely necessary. Unfortunately, every person will sooner or later be forced to use this branch of medicine. Fortunately, today both dentistry and oral surgery are at a very high level and allow you to solve even the most difficult problems.