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Copyright © 2018 Greenville Oral Surgery. All rights reserved.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in the treatment of many oral and facial conditions, including diseases, defects, and injuries. Their work is generally isolated to the face and neck regions, incorporating both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and jaw. Many patients visit oral surgeons for complicated tooth extractions, TMJ disorders, and oral cancer, but there are other procedures and treatments that these surgeons specialize in as well. Examples include facial cosmetic surgery, treatment for sleep apnea, craniofacial reconstruction, and treatment for facial injuries.
Did you know…
that you do not have to see a plastic surgeon to have cosmetic work performed on your face? That’s right — the same person who may have extracted your compacted wisdom tooth can inject you with Botox or perform a rhinoplasty. For more information about the types of cosmetic services available through your oral and maxillofacial surgeon, schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
There are many circumstances that could warrant a visit to your oral surgeon. If you are experiencing jaw pain, have unusual lesions in your mouth, have difficulty breathing during sleep, or are interested in cosmetically enhancing your facial features, you could be a candidate for oral and maxillofacial treatment.
Your oral surgeon will want to meet with you to discuss your symptoms and long-term health or cosmetic goals. Your initial visit will include a survey of your personal medical history and possibly some x-rays of your neck and facial region. Depending on the reason for your visit, you may need to undergo lab work, additional testing, or schedule a time to return for treatment.
If you undergo oral surgery of any kind, you’ll be given a list of instructions to follow after your treatment. This may include a modified diet and limitations on physical activity. It is important to take all medications exactly as prescribed and contact your surgeon if you start to run a fever or experience any complications following the operation. Some procedures – such as dermal fillers – require very little down time, if any at all. However, you may still be given advice for minimizing swelling after your procedure, as well as tips for prolonging your results when applicable.
Jaw alignment is an important part of oral health. When the jaw is out of alignment, it can negatively affect the bite, as well as the function of the mouth. Some misaligned jaws are so problematic; they cause abnormal wear on the teeth and other secondary symptoms, such as headaches. Also known as orthognathic surgery, jaw alignment surgery is meant to address irregularities that impair the normal function of the jaws. By undergoing corrective jaw surgery, patients can improve their bite, speech, and appearance – not to mention alleviate other side effects.
Did you know?
Though only an oral surgeon can let you know if jaw surgery is right for you, there are some signs and symptoms that the procedure could be right for you:
- Your lips do not meet in your natural bite
- Your jaw protrudes noticeably forward
- Your chin is receded backward
- Your face seems unbalanced
- You have open space between your upper and lower arches when your mouth is closed
- You have breathing difficulties during sleep
- You find yourself breathing primarily through your mouth
- You have difficulty chewing and/or swallowing food
- You have excessive wear on your teeth
- You have ongoing jaw joint pain
- You suffer with chronic headaches
You may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery if you have a malocclusion (bad bite) that is caused by poorly aligned jaws. Only a complete consultation with an oral surgeon can help you determine whether jaw surgery is right for you.
You’ll be evaluated by an oral surgeon to determine if oral surgery is right for you. In some cases, a bad bite can be treated with orthodontics alone. In others, a combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery, or jaw surgery alone is used to correct alignment issues. If you require orthodontic treatment, treatment will occur prior to jaw surgery.
X-rays will be taken of your teeth in a pre-surgical consultation. On the day of your operation, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia. An incision will be made on the inside of your mouth, through which your surgeon will reposition your jaws. Some jaw surgeries involve bone shaping, which may include shaving some bone away or grafting new bone into the jaw. A combination of plates, screws or wires may be used to hold the jaw in place before your incision is closed.
Yes. The initial healing phase is usually a few weeks long. During this time, you’ll be placed on a modified diet and instructed to avoid certain activities. It is important to take all medications as prescribed and to keep the incision site clean and free of debris. Your jaw may be swollen and sore for several days after surgery. Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience fever or any discomfort that worsens with time. Keep in mind that your jaw will continue to heal over the course of several months – a process that can take up to one year to complete.
Ridge and sinus augmentations are surgical dental procedures used to fill in areas of the gum line and underlying bone that have deteriorated as a result of tooth loss or extraction. Specifically, a ridge augmentation refers to the reconstruction of degenerated or underdeveloped gums, and a sinus augmentation refers to an enhancement of the amount and consistency of the maxillary jaw bone by lifting the sinus floor and grafting bone into the jaw line. These state of the art procedures are capable of restoring a natural appearance to, as well as making it possible for some patients to qualify for dental implants.
Did you know…
that tooth loss is not the only reason for getting a ridge or sinus augmentation? Many patients have deteriorated gum lines or inadequate jaw bone support caused by oral diseases, such as periodontal disease, or a physical trauma to the face. Others experience bone atrophy caused by prolonged denture wear. By grafting in bone and building up the gum line, a dentist can make it possible for a patient’s jaw and gums to support permanent dental implants.
You may be a candidate for a sinus or ridge augmentation if you have been denied dental implants in the past due to inadequate supporting tissues. You may also qualify if your receded gum line is a source of insecurity or embarrassment. To find out more about sinus and ridge augmentations and whether you qualify, contact your dentist for a consultation today.
Ridge augmentations begin with the administration of a local anesthetic used to numb treatment areas and prevent pain. Graft material will then be placed into the tooth socket where the missing tooth once was. Your dentist will then pull surrounding gum tissue over the graft material and suture it shut. Sinus lift augmentations are similar, except your dentist will instead make an incision to expose the sinus floor and use hard graft materials to build up the sinus floor. The site will be sutured shut and allowed time to heal before additional treatments, such as a dental implant, are completed.
It is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort following your procedure though these symptoms should subside within a few days.
Copyright © 2018 Greenville Oral Surgery. All rights reserved.