Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a field specializing in the treatment of diseases, deformities, and traumas affecting the oral cavity, teeth, and jaw. It aims to improve oral and dental health through interventions such as jaw fractures, dental implants, cyst removal, and cosmetic jaw surgery.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized branch of dentistry that treats diseases, deformities, and traumas in the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. This specialty, not limited to the mouth, also encompasses jaw and facial aesthetics and function.
This branch can provide services in many areas such as jaw joint disorders, facial traumas, surgical treatment of impacted teeth, oral cancers and correction of jaw deformities.
What Does Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Look for?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery deals with the surgical treatment of impacted teeth, cleft lip and palate, and correction of oral, jaw, and facial deformities. The conditions treated by oral and maxillofacial surgery include:
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Fractures and traumas in the jaw and face area
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Cleft lip and palate
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Jaw alignment surgeries (orthognathic surgery)
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Facial tumors and cysts
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Correction of mouth, jaw and facial deformities
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Treatment of jaw joint disorders.
What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
In Which Situations Is Oral, Dental and Jaw Surgery Applied?
Oral, dental and jaw surgery can be performed for jaw disorders, facial asymmetry problems, jaw deformities, jaw joint injuries, impacted teeth, tumors and cysts in the jaw and mouth area.
Jaw Disorders and Orthognathic Surgery
Jaw deformities result from problems with the alignment of the upper and lower jaws. They negatively impact a person's aesthetic functions, chewing, and speech. Orthognathic surgery involves correcting these deformities. Treatments may include forward or backward positioning of the jaw, facial asymmetry, and congenital or acquired jaw deformities.
Treatment of Jaw Fractures and Traumatic Injuries
Jaw fractures can occur as a result of traffic accidents, falls, or impacts. In such cases, orbital fractures, temporomandibular joint injuries, and trauma, jaw function can be restored.
Surgical Extraction of Impacted Teeth
Extracting teeth trapped under the gums or in the bone can also be considered oral, dental, and jaw surgery. This includes impacted wisdom teeth, teeth causing jaw cysts, and impacted teeth that are damaging the jaw structure.
Preparation for Dental Implants and Jaw Replacement
Dental implants, used to replace missing teeth, are generally placed in areas with sufficient bone structure. In cases of bone deficiency, dental bone grafting, sinus lift surgery, and jaw replacement surgery may be performed.
Treatment of Tumors and Cysts in the Jaw and Mouth Area
Tumors and cysts in the jaw and mouth area can be benign or malignant. Early treatment of malignant tumors, cysts in the jawbones, and reconstructive surgery can be performed to preserve the jaw structure.
How is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Performed?
Before oral and maxillofacial surgery, the patient's condition is evaluated, and the surgical area is examined using dental imaging techniques. The procedure is performed using small, delicate surgical instruments.
Preoperative Examination and Planning
Before surgery, a detailed examination is performed, and a treatment plan is developed. This examination assesses the patient's general health. The surgical area may be examined using dental X-rays or three-dimensional imaging techniques. At this stage, the patient is informed and their expectations regarding the surgical procedure are clarified.
TMJ (Jaw Joint) Disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a condition that causes limited movement and pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that control jaw movement. Temporomandibular joint disorder can occur due to trauma to the jaw, nighttime clenching and grinding of the teeth, lack of daily care, and wear and tear. TMJ treatment varies from person to person. Treatment can include physical therapy, medication, and mouth guards. TMJ treatment often involves lifestyle changes, along with medications to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Temporomandibular joint disorders are disorders that occur in the jaw joints, surrounding muscles, and ligaments. This condition can cause symptoms such as headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. TMJ affects quality of life but is not a life-threatening condition. If left untreated, its symptoms can become chronic and difficult to manage.
What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder?
Symptoms of TMJ disorder vary depending on the individual's condition and severity, and include pain in the jaw muscles and headaches.
Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder include:
Pain around the face and neck
Stiffness in the jaw muscles
Limited movement in the jaw
Dental problems due to tooth wear
ringing in the ears
Headache and dizziness
Shifting and protrusion in the jaw and mouth
Sound coming from the jaw while eating and talking
What Causes Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) occurs due to factors such as jaw dislocation, teeth clenching and grinding, stress, and arthritis. In other cases, TMJ may be caused by another medical condition, such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome .
Temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms are listed as follows:
Jaw injury
Arthritis of the jaw joint
Malocclusion (teeth not fitting together as they should)
Stress
Some dental problems
What Not to Do for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
While the factors that cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can't be controlled, certain daily habits can worsen the condition. Therefore, avoiding certain situations can prevent the progression of TMJ disorder.
Situations that a person with temporomandibular joint disorder should not apply:
Using teeth as tools to open packages or tear clothes
Having bad posture
Chewing on pencils or other objects
Taking large bites of food
Daytime teeth clenching or grinding
Sleeping face down
Excessive chewing of gum and ice
How Is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder Treated?
Treatment for TMJ varies depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the pain. Initially, a specialist will offer non-invasive options, such as medications or non-surgical treatments. If symptoms persist, jaw surgery may be necessary.
Medication
A variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to relieve TMJ symptoms. These medications typically include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants.
Non-surgical TMJ treatment
Non-surgical treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder includes physical therapy to stretch your jaw and exercise the muscles, a mouth guard to adjust the position of the jaw, and trigger point injections for the jaw muscles.
Surgical TMJ treatments
If medications and nonsurgical treatments for temporomandibular joint disorder don't work, surgery may be necessary. Arthrocentesis, which involves removing fluid from the joints, TMJ arthroscopy, and open joint surgery may be performed.
The Recovery Process After Oral, Dental, and Jaw Surgery
Swelling and mild bleeding may occur after oral, dental, and jaw surgery. Ice compresses can be applied to reduce swelling. Soft, not too hot foods can be encouraged.
Postoperative
Discomfort, swelling, and slight bleeding may occur after surgery. An ice pack may be applied to the surgical area to reduce swelling. Pain relievers prescribed by your doctor may be used. It may be beneficial to avoid strenuous activity for a few days.
Nutrition and Oral Hygiene Recommendations
Maintaining a healthy diet and oral hygiene can accelerate the healing process. Soft, cold foods are recommended in the first few days. Crunchy, hard, or difficult-to-chew foods should be avoided, as should tobacco and alcohol. A gentle gargle can be used to avoid damaging the surgical area. Be gentle when brushing your teeth. Oral care products recommended by your doctor can be used.
What are the advantages of oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Misalignment of the jaw and teeth can cause pain. This can lead to difficulty with functions such as biting, chewing, and speaking. Conditions and injuries to the mouth and face can negatively impact both your oral health and your overall health. Sometimes, surgery is the only solution to eliminate the infection and reduce the risk of further damage.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery FAQ
Q: What procedures does jaw surgery involve? Only wisdom teeth? A: No. Jaw surgery covers a wide range of areas, including wisdom tooth extractions (impacted or normal), implant applications, sinus lifts (bone augmentation), bone grafts (bone meal) treatments, treatment of jaw cysts and tumors, jaw fractures, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Q: Is wisdom tooth extraction very difficult and painful? A: Because wisdom tooth extraction is performed under local anesthesia, there is no pain during the procedure. Because it's a surgical procedure, it's normal to experience some swelling or mild pain in the area after the procedure. However, this can be easily managed with ice compresses and medication prescribed by your doctor.
Q: What is dental cyst surgery? Why is it performed? A: Dental cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form within the jawbone, usually due to infection in the tooth roots or impacted teeth. Over time, they enlarge and damage healthy bone and adjacent teeth. Surgery (cystectomy) is required to completely remove this infected tissue.