Oral surgery refers to any procedure in the mouth that requires cutting of tissues. Maxillofacial surgery refers to surgery on the bones of the jaw or face. Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend oral and maxillofacial surgery for a variety of reasons, all of which may benefit your oral health and wellness. Learn more about oral and maxillofacial surgery and what you can expect.
What is Oral Surgery?
Any time that a dental procedure requires cutting of the soft tissues or bones in your mouth, it is considered to be oral surgery. Examples of oral surgery include extraction of impacted teeth, dental implant placement, apicoectomy, pocket reduction surgery, bone grafting, frenectomies, and more.
What is Maxillofacial Surgery?
The purpose of maxillofacial surgery is to restructure the jaw or bones of the face to correct abnormalities or severe bite misalignment. Maxillofacial surgery may include cutting and reshaping the upper or lower jaw, sometimes both. This can create a more ideal facial structure so that the upper and lower teeth meet together properly. It can also improve your appearance in some cases.
Who Performs Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
A variety of dental specialists may perform oral surgery, including dentists, periodontists, endodontists, and oral surgeons. But Maxillofacial surgery is more complex, requiring the expertise of a trained and experienced oral surgeon. Complete restructuring of the jaw and lower part of the face is relatively invasive and may be done in a hospital or surgical outpatient center.
Benefits of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial surgery offers numerous benefits, including:
- Improved oral health. If a dental professional has recommended oral or maxillofacial surgery for you, it is because it will provide significant improvements to your oral health. This includes your teeth, jaw, and soft tissues of your mouth.
- Accelerated results of orthodontic treatment. Oral and maxillofacial surgery can accelerate the results of orthodontic treatment and make your overall experience more effective. In some cases orthodontic treatment alone is not sufficient to correct bite misalignment without surgery.
- Treatment for gum disease. Some oral surgery procedures can treat gum disease and repair the residual damage from chronic, untreated gum disease.
- Preserve your natural teeth. Oral and maxillofacial surgery can save your natural teeth and protect them from damage due to bite misalignment.
- Oral cancer treatment. Soft tissue abnormalities that are discovered to be cancerous can be removed with oral surgery.
- Cosmetic improvements. In some cases oral and maxillofacial surgery can improve the appearance of your face and smile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Will I need to be put to sleep for oral and maxillofacial surgery?
The type of anesthesia or sedation required for your procedure will depend on the invasiveness and your own level of comfort. Your dentist or oral surgeon will discuss anesthesia options with you and make a recommendation based on all factors.
Will my jaw be wired shut after maxillofacial surgery?
If you have jaw surgery it is not typically necessary to have your jaw wired shut. A series of plates and screws can be used to stabilize your jaw while it heals, allowing you the ability to eat and speak.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
In some cases wisdom teeth extraction requires oral surgery. When the wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they are stuck below the gums, it requires cutting into the gum tissue and possibly the jaw bone to remove them. Glassman Dental Care provides wisdom teeth extraction for patients whose wisdom teeth are not coming in properly. We also provide consults and referrals for oral and maxillofacial surgery that requires the expertise of an oral surgeon.
Call 212-787-4860 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.