Oral and maxillofacial surgery involves surgical procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and adjacent areas to extract all impacted teeth in the mouth, as well as surgical removal of cystic structures related to the mouth and teeth to assist in prosthesis construction. Major surgical procedures include tumor and cyst surgeries, jaw fractures, tooth extractions, impacted and complex tooth extractions, endodontic surgery, sinus lifting, extraoral-intraoral drainage, orthodontic surgeries, reconstructive jaw-face surgery (soft-tissue grafts, distraction osteogenesis), implant surgery, treatment and surgery of TME disorders, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, and laser surgery. All these procedures are performed by specialist doctors.
Bone Augmentation and Sinus Lifting
In recent years, missing teeth are commonly treated with dental implants. However, in some cases, bone augmentation may be necessary before implant placement due to insufficient bone. Bone augmentation involves remodeling the jawbone with artificial or bone powders obtained from the patient’s own bone. With various surgical techniques, bone height and thickness can be increased, and bone resorption in areas where teeth have been extracted can be prevented. Although the treatment duration may be somewhat longer, it allows for the fabrication of fixed prostheses that patients can use for many years afterward.Artificial bone powders, supported by scientific research, activate the formation of new bone in the patient’s jawbone area and provide volumetric support. These graft materials have made it possible to treat areas that were previously impossible to implant in. One of these is the difficulties encountered in implant placement in the upper jaw region due to the maxillary sinus. Over time, in areas that have been toothless, the sinus descends, causing the bone to thin. Sinus lifting procedures come into play here. If the patient does not have a disease such as acute or chronic sinusitis in the sinus region, through an open or closed sinus lifting procedure performed by an oral surgeon, the sinus membrane is lifted upward, ensuring that there is sufficient thickness for implant placement in the jawbone. With the piezo surgical techniques used today, the ultrasonic vibrations produced by devices create atraumatic procedures on the bone, increasing patient comfort and reducing post-operative complications. It is particularly preferred by individuals who have no teeth in the posterior regions and do not want to use removable dentures.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Today, the increased consumption of processed foods and softer food textures cause the jaw structure of individuals to diminish, resulting in a higher incidence of impacted wisdom teeth. Contrary to popular belief, the extraction of all wisdom teeth is not necessary. Wisdom teeth that erupt in the correct position, do not harm surrounding teeth and tissues, and do not cause impaction in the jaw can remain in the mouth without any issues.
However,
- Continual painful inflammations (pericoronitis) hitting jaw muscles and neck regions in the wisdom tooth area.
- Cavity formation in surrounding teeth.
Misalignment in other teeth. - Cyst formation around the wisdom tooth.
- Pain in surrounding areas.
require the surgical extraction of wisdom teeth causing these complaints. - A panoramic dental X-ray is taken beforehand to evaluate possible issues.