Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is a specialized field of dentistry that involves surgical procedures to diagnose, treat, and manage various conditions and diseases affecting the mouth, teeth, jaws, and facial structures. It encompasses a range of surgical procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have undergone additional training beyond general dentistry.

The category of oral surgery covers a broad spectrum of procedures, including:

1. Tooth extraction: Removal of teeth that are damaged, decayed, impacted, or causing other dental issues.
2. Dental implant surgery: Placement of artificial tooth roots (implants) into the jawbone to support dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, or dentures.
3. Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery): Surgery to correct misaligned jaws, malocclusions, or skeletal irregularities that affect the bite, chewing function, or facial aesthetics.
4. Bone grafting: Augmentation of bone in the jaw to provide a suitable foundation for dental implants or to repair bone loss due to injury or disease.
5. Facial trauma surgery: Treatment of injuries to the face, jaws, or mouth, such as fractures, lacerations, or soft tissue damage.
6. Cleft lip and palate repair: Surgical correction of congenital defects involving the lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate).
7. Treatment of oral infections and cysts: Removal of infected or cystic tissues in the mouth and jaw to promote healing and prevent complications.
8. Oral pathology procedures: Diagnosis and surgical treatment of oral diseases, including oral cancers and other abnormal growths.
9. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery: Surgical management of TMJ disorders that cause pain, dysfunction, or limited movement of the jaw joint.
10. Pre-prosthetic surgery: Surgical preparation of the mouth and jaws to optimize the fit and stability of dental prosthetics like dentures or bridges.

Oral surgery procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia, but general anesthesia or conscious sedation may also be used depending on the complexity of the procedure and patient preferences. Oral surgeons work closely with other dental specialists, such as orthodontists, periodontists, and prosthodontists, to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for patients requiring surgical interventions.