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Why did my dentist
send me to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
You may have a problem, injury, or illness that is most
appropriately treated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons care for patients who
experience such conditions as problem wisdom teeth,
facial pain, and misaligned jaws. They treat accident
victims suffering facial injuries, offer reconstructive
and dental implant surgery, and care for patients with
tumors and cysts of the jaws and functional and esthetic
conditions of the maxillofacial areas.
What is the difference
between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a general dentist?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental specialists who
treat conditions, defects, injuries, and esthetic aspects
of the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. After training that
includes a four-year graduate degree in dentistry, they
complete a minimum four-year hospital surgical residency program.
I am nervous about my
upcoming surgical appointment. Is this normal?
Like the first day of school or the start of a new job,
it is normal to be anxious about a new event in your life.
In all likelihood you have never experienced outpatient
surgery, and much of your anxiety is simply a fear of the
unknown, as well as a concern that upcoming procedures are
going to hurt.
The truth is that modern technology makes it possible for you to safely undergo complex surgery in the office with little or no discomfort. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also have specialized knowledge in pain control and advanced training in anesthesia. They receive extensive schooling in the medical and dental aspects of anesthesia, and clinical experience in anesthesia techniques ranging from local anesthesia to sedation and general anesthesia. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will help you decide which type of anesthetic will best help avoid discomfort and relieve your anxiety. Before surgery, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will review with you the type of anesthetic to be used, as well as the way you’re likely to feel during the operation, and what you can expect during recovery. Your surgeon will provide answers to questions you have regarding your operation to help you understand what to expect and help alleviate your anxiety. Afterwards, your surgeon can prescribe medications to make you as comfortable as possible when you get home. Before, during and after surgery, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon truly shares your concern for your well being. Beyond that, though, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon also has the training, the knowledge and the experience to make your visit as pleasant and comfortable as it possibly can be.
Why do I need to
have my wisdom teeth removed when they aren’t hurting?
Most people start getting their third molars (also called
wisdom teeth) when they reach their late teens or early
twenties. In many cases, the jaws are not large enough
to accommodate these teeth and they remain either under
the gums or partially erupted (known as impacted).
Serious problems can develop from partially blocked teeth such as infection and possible crowding of and damage to adjacent teeth. More serious complications can develop when the sac that surrounds the impacted tooth fills with fluid and enlarges to form a cyst, causing an enlargement that hollows out the jaw and results in permanent damage to the adjacent teeth, jawbone and nerves. Left untreated, a tumor may develop from the walls of these cysts and a more complicated surgical procedure would be required for removal. No one can tell when your impacted molar will cause trouble, but trouble will probably arise. When it does, the circumstances can be much more painful and the teeth can be more complicated to treat. After evaluating your x-rays, your dentist can often predict if the wisdom teeth are going to cause trouble later on. If so, your dentist will recommend their removal rather than wait for trouble to occur. Removal is easier in younger patients. Roots are not yet fully developed and the bone is less dense. In older patients, removal before complications develop is key to shorter recovery and healing time and minimizing discomfort after surgery.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are a great option for patients who are
missing natural teeth. They are secure anchors for artificial
replacement teeth and eliminate the instability associated
with dentures and the unnecessary cutting down of adjacent
teeth needed to make a bridge.
Dental implants are made of materials that are compatible with human bone and tissue. The implants are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. Small posts are then attached to the implants, which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Based on patient needs, a single tooth, a partial bridge or a full set of replacement teeth are fitted to the implants and locked in place over the protruding posts. In appearance and in function, implants are the closest thing to natural teeth and a good alternative to conventional dentures.
I was told that I need
orthognathic surgery. What is that?
Jaw growth is a slow and gradual process. Occasionally,
one or both jaws may grow too much or too little. The
resulting abnormality may interfere with proper teeth
alignment, speaking and chewing. The tongue and lips
may be forced to move awkwardly during speech and
swallowing in an attempt to compensate for the jaw
malrelationship. There may be speech defect or
excessive mouth breathing.
When unequal jaw growth is the source of the problem, corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be necessary. Corrective jaw surgery involves moving all or part of the upper and/or lower jaw into a favorable position. For example, the entire jaw can be moved backward if it's too large. The goal of treatment is to improve function and restore facial balance. * Parts taken with permission from educational materials provided by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. |
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