What is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery huntersville nc is performed by a trained dental specialist. It includes procedures throughout the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Dentists are able to perform minor oral surgeries, however, they are not the same as an oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS). Many people’s first interaction with an OMS is their wisdom teeth are removed.

Training and Education

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete an average of 12 to 14 years of education and training. Their training includes two to four years of undergraduate work, four years of dental school and four to six years of residency training.

Oral surgeons are trained and authorized to perform a variety of procedures including the following:

Tooth Extractions

The most common form of oral surgery is tooth extraction or removal. Patients have a tooth extracted for following reasons:
• Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth
• Teeth beyond repair due to tooth decay, root damage or trauma
• Primary or baby teeth that have not fallen out and are blocking permanent or adult teeth
• Orthodontic treatment plans, which may require the removal of teeth to reduce crowding or help resolve other issues

Dental Implants

Dental implants are often used to replace damaged or missing teeth. Implants are embedded into your jawbone, and act as a natural tooth. Dental implants are gaining popularity as a solution for replacing missing teeth or to provide stability for dentures. The procedure for placing a dental implant varies based on the technique used by the surgeon and the type of implant.

Developmental Conditions

Oral surgeons can also help with common developmental conditions such as a cleft palate. In addition to the cosmetic improvement, repairing a cleft lip improves an infant’s ability to nurse or drink from a bottle. This surgery also helps children in their speech development. This procedure is not a single surgery, but rather a series of surgeries. The treatment aims to maximize the benefit to a child while minimizing the risks from complications.

Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer, including oral cancer, is the development of abnormal cells within the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, or lips. The typical treatment plan for head and neck cancer is surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons commonly treat the disease which may include a combination or surgery and radiation therapy.

Facial Injury and Trauma

Facial injury and trauma includes fractures of the upper and lower jaws and the areas surrounding the eyes, in addition to facial lacerations. The knowledge an OMS possesses on how jaws come together is critical to repair complex facial fractures.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery is performed to correct a variety of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities. This includes the misalignment of jaws and teeth. Surgery can help improve chewing, speaking and even breathing. While the jaw's appearance may be improved as a result of the surgery, it is primarily performed to correct functional issues.

TMJ and Facial Pain

TMJ is an issue related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint is located in front of your ears and connects your jaw to your skull.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery

The goal of cosmetic surgery is to focus on enhancing appearance while plastic surgery focuses on reconstructing normal function and appearance. With their surgical and dental background, oral and maxillofacial surgeons often perform cosmetic procedures involving the functional and aesthetic aspects of the face, mouth, teeth, and jaws.

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