Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the field that deals with diseases, injuries and other problems of the jaw, face and mouth. A wide range of diseases and conditions are included in the expertise of this field. Many aesthetic and functional problems can be solved with the treatments to be performed.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the field where treatments such as tooth extraction and implant procedures are performed. In addition, the effects of accidents and injuries on the face and jaw require the intervention of physicians in this field. In addition, it is necessary to apply to oral, dental and maxillofacial surgery for tumors etc. formed on the face and jaw.
What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
The mouth and jaw constitute a serious part of the face. For this reason, surgical operations in the field are quite different and cover many areas. There are a wide range of procedures known as oral, dental and maxillofacial surgical operations that can be performed by specialists in this field.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform a variety of procedures, including tooth extraction (especially impacted wisdom teeth), corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), dental implant surgery, management of facial trauma, treatment of oral cancer and other tumors/cysts of the jaw, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and reconstructive surgery following oncological treatments. They may also perform cosmetic facial procedures.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are involved in many areas of work, from the treatment of people born with cleft palate and lips to surgical operations required for various oncological diseases. The way the procedures are performed and other details will vary depending on the patient and the case.
What Does Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Do?
Depending on the complexity of the case, oral, dental and maxillofacial surgery involves various steps from initial consultation to post-operative care. Procedure processes are planned and implemented individually for the patient. However, dentists working as maxillofacial surgeons advance their treatment practices within the framework of the following steps;
In the initial examination, the surgeon reviews the patient’s medical and dental history, performs a comprehensive examination and may order additional diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans or MRI to better understand the patient’s condition.
Accordingly, dental implant placement or tooth extraction jaw surgery operations are usually completed in the dental clinic. Larger operations such as corrective jaw surgery, facial trauma surgery or removal of tumors require a hospital operating room.
It is important to note that the exact process can vary greatly depending on the nature of the patient’s condition and the specific procedure being performed.