Oral health is a significant part of a person's overall well-being. When issues arise and require specialized care, oral surgeons can provide the services needed to restore oral health. These highly trained professionals address a wide range of dental and facial issues. They are essential dental professionals, providing multiple services that promote and restore oral health.
Oral surgeons, also known as maxillofacial surgeons, are dental specialists who receive extended training beyond dental school. This training includes advanced medical knowledge, surgical skills, and how to safely administer anesthesia. Furthering their education allows oral surgeons to perform complex oral and facial surgical procedures. They can also diagnose and treat various mouth, jaw, face, and neck conditions.
Oral surgeons address oral and facial conditions that can impact a patient's quality of life. They have specialized training that allows them to perform intricate surgical procedures while ensuring patient comfort and safety. Oral surgeons also collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals, including dentists, orthodontists, and primary care providers, to provide comprehensive treatment for patients with complex dental and facial issues. This interdisciplinary approach ensures patients receive the most effective treatment plans tailored to their needs.
One of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons is tooth extraction. While general dentists can handle routine extractions, complex cases require the expertise of oral surgeons. For example, it is common for impacted wisdom teeth to require surgical removal to prevent infection, pain, and damage to surrounding teeth.
Another common service by oral surgeons is placing dental implants. Dental implants are a procedure where the surgeon places a biocompatible titanium post that replaces one or more missing teeth. They place these posts into the jawbone, which will fuse around the implant over time. Implants provide a stable foundation for future dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Patients with misaligned jaws or facial deformities benefit from corrective jaw surgery. An oral surgeon can realign the jaw, improving both function and appearance. This type of oral surgery can resolve issues like difficulty chewing, speaking, and breathing.
Oral surgeons can diagnose and treat various oral pathologies. These may include cysts, tumors, and infections. Early treatment is key to preventing the spread of disease and maintaining one's oral and overall health.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause pain, pressure, and dysfunction in the jaw joint. Oral surgeons can diagnose and treat these conditions. They may recommend more conservative treatments, such as physical therapy and taking oral muscle relaxers. In severe cases, the oral surgeon can use advanced techniques to treat the disorder. Some of these techniques include TMJ arthroscopy and open-joint surgery.
TMJ arthroscopy is a less-invasive technique where the surgeon inserts a small tube into the TM joint. Surgical tools and an arthroscope (magnifying camera) are passed through the tube to perform the surgery. Open-joint surgery is for more complex cases. With open joint surgery the oral surgeon can use open-joint surgery to repair or replace a TM joint.
A facial trauma resulting from an accident or injury may involve fractured facial bones, damaged soft tissues, or dental injuries. This damage may require oral surgery. An oral surgeon can use their expertise in facial reconstruction to restore the patient's oral function and appearance.
Oral surgeons can provide surgical solutions for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep. Procedures like genioglossus advancement or maxillomandibular advancement can alleviate OSA symptoms.
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Oral surgeons are essential healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating various oral and facial conditions. Their advanced training and commitment to patient care make them instrumental in maintaining and restoring oral health and function. Call Morris Oral Surgery & Implant Center today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward improving your quality of life and oral health.
Request an appointment or call Morris Oral Surgery & Implant Center at 973-400-5254 for an appointment in our Morris Plains office.
There are various reasons why an oral surgeon might perform a tooth extraction, but the procedure is typically done as a last resort when there is no way to save the tooth. Some of the common reasons an oral surgeon might recommend extracting a tooth include severe decay, infection, or to make more room on…
Oral surgeons are the surgical specialists of the dental world. They undergo a long and rigorous period of education and training to prepare them to perform surgical procedures involving the mouth and maxillofacial region on a wide range of patients. Because of this, oral surgeons are equipped to handle even the most advanced surgical cases.…
No definitive "rule" states when a patient needs to see an oral surgeon for a tooth extraction. Providers advise patients on a case-by-case basis after examining several factors, such as a patient's unique situation and the level of complexity involved in the extraction. For those wondering whether they should see a dentist or an oral…