Oral Surgery also known as
Oral & Maxilofacial Surgery

Oral Surgery

The surgery that involves teeth, jaws or other oral and facial structures is called oral surgery. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist performs advanced oral surgeries.

What are the Purposes of Oral Surgery?

• Extraction – Severely decayed tooth, broken tooth, or an impacted tooth requires surgical extraction. Surgical removal of teeth with periodontal problems is necessary for placing a denture. Dentists recommend surgery only if other preventive measures do not improve the symptoms. Surgical removal of a tooth with severe bone loss or extensive caries can save the adjacent tooth.
• Bone Graft – The tooth with advanced gum disease erodes the bone surrounding the tooth. The dentists usually save the teeth with minimal to moderate bone loss using a bone graft. It provides a solid foundation for a mobile tooth and prevents tooth loss. The tooth missing for the long term deteriorates the underlying bone in the gums. A bone graft restores the volume of jaw bone for placing implants.
• Tooth Implants – The titanium implants are a long-lasting teeth replacement surgical procedure. The screws are embedded inside the jaw to replace the tooth roots. After healing, the screws support positioning the dentures, bridges, or crowns. Adequate bone level and good oral hygiene play a vital role in the success of an implant.
• Gum Grafts – There is an insufficient gum attachment in the tooth with gum disease. Adding a tissue graft helps in managing the tooth roots for the long term. Thus a gum specialist manages the tissue loss by donor tissue from the palate. The periodontist makes an incision to access the tooth roots to clear the tartar. It is helpful to place a medicated chip inside the gums to prevent microbes. The tissue is repositioned, and a suture is placed.
• Reconstruction surgeries – Inadequate bone structure in the upper/lower jaws can result from injury or trauma, tumour surgery or long term denture wear. Using bone grafts or bone substitutes, skin grafts and soft tissue corrections can improve the architecture of soft and Hard tissues in oral and Maxillofacial region. Through oral reconstructive surgery, a solid foundation can be provided for dental rehabilitation, which in turn aids nutrition and speech.
• Orthognathic Surgery – Mild jaw problems can be corrected using orthodontic appliances. Severe malalignment of teeth occurs due to an underdeveloped jaw and protruded jaw. Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper and lower jaw for aesthetic purposes, swallowing and speaking. Simultaneously, the orthodontic corrects the over-bite and underbite using braces.
• Soft Tissue Surgery – Sleep apnea is a condition in which the individual experiences breathing difficulty while sleeping. A sleep specialist prescribes CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines for treating collapsed airways. Severe sleep apnea requires constructive surgery along with CPAP. The surgeon removes the excess soft tissue in the oropharynx (back of the mouth) using a laser or special tools.
• Surgery for Lesions – Maxillofacial surgeon performs the surgery to remove a cyst covering the wisdom tooth or tumour involving the face, salivary gland, or neck. The surgical resection of the tumour is often accompanied by other procedures like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Cleft Lip and Palate Repair – In newborns, the opening in the roof of the mouth or lip interferes with speech and feeding. It occurs due to poor development of facial structures during foetus formation. The surgeon restores speech and masticatory functions by repairing the cleft lip or palate.