Oral surgery is a specialized field of dentistry focusing on oral pathology. It involves various surgical approaches to diagnose, treat, and manage various conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, and surrounding structures. While many dental issues are resolved through non-surgical treatments, certain conditions require oral surgery to achieve optimal outcomes.
Impacted teeth are among the most common reasons for oral surgery. Teeth become impacted when there is limited space or the crossing of surrounding teeth that do not allow a tooth to erupt or grow at an angle. For instance, this condition is most often seen when wisdom teeth erupt. Tooth impaction can cause swelling, pain, and infection, potentially damaging the surrounding teeth and nerves.
The oral surgeon will need to perform a surgical extraction, as a simple extraction will not suffice. This oral surgery involves making an incision into the gum line and possibly the jawbone, depending on the angle of the tooth, to remove it from the socket.
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, refers to conditions that disturb the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing dysfunction. TMJ can result from several factors, such as facial or nerve trauma, bite misalignments, bruxism (teeth grinding), or arthritis. When traditional treatments fail to alleviate symptoms, the oral surgeon will perform an arthroscopy. An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique the oral surgeon uses to visualize and treat the joint directly. Open-joint oral surgery may sometimes be necessary to repair or replace the damaged joint structures.
Sleep apnea is a more serious condition many people are unaware that an oral surgeon can treat. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, often a result of an obstruction in the airway. Oral surgery may be recommended as an appropriate treatment option for sleep apnea when non-surgical interventions prove ineffective.
The oral surgeon may perform uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or genioglossus advancement (GA) to remove or reposition the tissue causing the airway obstruction to improve breathing during sleep. They may also perform corrective jaw surgery to reposition the alignments of the upper and lower jaws into a more suitable position to enlarge the upper airways.
Another serious condition is oral cancer. Patients typically receive oral cancer screenings from their general dentists. They will likely recommend the patient to an oral surgeon if they notice abnormalities, such as lesions or growths. Oral surgery can involve a biopsy, lymph node removal, or reconstruction. With a serious diagnosis, the oral surgeon will work with a network of healthcare professionals over the patient's case. These can include oncologists and radiation therapists.
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As you can see, oral surgery can do wonders for more than just teeth and can be life-saving. If you want to learn more ways we can help your condition, contact our office and schedule a consultation. Our team will craft a personalized treatment plan and walk you through the entire process.
Request an appointment or call Ecker Oral Surgery at 305-404-5447 for an appointment in our South Miami office.
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