Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and dental health isn’t just the key to an aesthetically pleasing smile; it’s also one of the most important building blocks of our overall health and quality of life. Healthy teeth facilitate proper nutrition, support our speech, and boost our self-confidence. Therefore, every branch of dentistry offers specialized solutions to meet different needs. One of these branches is oral and maxillofacial surgery, which, while often associated solely with tooth extractions, actually encompasses a much broader field.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures, from tooth extractions and impacted tooth operations to the treatment of jaw fractures, cyst and tumor removal, joint problems, and implant surgery. This means that this field is not limited to “difficult tooth extractions”; it plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of many problems affecting the mouth, teeth, jaw, and face. Thanks to developing technologies and modern surgical methods, oral and maxillofacial surgery offers patients today both a more comfortable and faster recovery.

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of the most comprehensive and specialized branches of dentistry. Simply put, it deals with the surgical diagnosis and treatment of problems that arise in the mouth, teeth, jaw, and face. However, it would be inappropriate to limit this field solely to “difficult tooth extractions.” Oral and maxillofacial surgery encompasses a wide range of areas, from the removal of impacted teeth to the repair of jaw fractures, from implant surgery to the removal of cysts and tumors.

Doctors specializing in this field work with an eye not only on functional health but also on aesthetic appearance. This is because the jaw structure and teeth are crucial for chewing and speech functions, as well as facial aesthetics. For example, the treatment of disorders of the jaw joint directly affects the patient’s quality of daily life; Implant surgeries or jawbone corrections provide both a healthy oral structure and an aesthetically pleasing smile.

What Does Oral and Jaw Surgery Include?

Oral and jaw surgery has a very wide range of applications and is used to solve many different problems. The most common procedures performed in this field can be summarized as follows:

Impacted tooth surgeries

Wisdom teeth, in particular, can become impacted due to insufficient space in the jaw structure. This can cause pain, infection, or misalignment of other teeth. These teeth can be removed safely and comfortably with surgical procedures.

Tooth extractions

The duties of oral and maxillofacial surgeons include not only simple tooth extractions but also the removal of teeth with broken or deeply impacted roots.

Dental implant surgery

Implant surgery, which replaces missing teeth with titanium screws, is one of the most commonly performed procedures in this field. Implants are the closest solution to natural teeth in terms of both appearance and functionality.

Jaw Cysts and Tumors

Cysts, tumors, and infection foci that occur in the jaw bones or soft tissues are surgically removed, thus preserving healthy tissue.

Jaw Fractures and Traumas

Jaw fractures resulting from accidents or impacts are the specialty of this branch. The jaw bones are meticulously repaired, restoring both function and aesthetic health.

Orthognathic surgery

Jaw structure deformities, whether congenital or acquired, can negatively impact both aesthetics and chewing functions. Orthognathic surgery reshapes the jawbones and brings them into the correct position.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Problems such as limited jaw opening and closing, joint noises, or jaw misalignment are also among the issues that oral and maxillofacial surgeons deal with.

The Importance of Surgery for Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth are teeth that fail to fully erupt within the jawbone or beneath the gums, typically seen with wisdom teeth. At first glance, they may not seem like a major problem, but over time, they can negatively impact both oral health and overall quality of life. This is where oral and jaw surgery comes into play.

Impacted teeth can put pressure on the jawbone, causing severe pain, strain on the jaw joint, and even displacement of other teeth. Furthermore, infections around the teeth can cause bad breath, swelling, difficulty chewing, and serious inflammation. More importantly, there is a risk of cysts or tumors forming around the impacted teeth. Therefore, impacted teeth should not be neglected.

Surgical intervention eliminates existing problems and prevents future, potentially more serious problems by safely removing impacted teeth. This procedure, performed by a specialist oral surgeon, protects the surrounding tissues, reduces the risk of infection, and ensures long-term oral health.

In short, it’s important to remember that impacted teeth are not just a source of pain; they are one of the most important steps in maintaining our oral health with the right surgical intervention at the right time.

Post-Operative Considerations

To ensure a quick and smooth recovery after surgical procedures, it’s important to keep some points in mind:

Hot food and drinks should be avoided for the first 24 hours.
Swelling can be reduced by applying ice to the operation area.
Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided.
Medications recommended by your doctor should be used regularly.
If you have stitches, you should visit your doctor for a checkup on the specified date.

When you follow these rules, the healing process is more comfortable and faster.