Maxillofacial Surgery

The wisdom teeth or Third Molars

At the age of 18, the average adult has 32 teeth: 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canines, premolars, and teeth) are ideal for grabbing and biting the food into smaller pieces. The posterior teeth (molars) are used to grind the grain in a suitable consistency to swallow.

The average mouth can contain only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit into a mouth that is meant to hold only 28 teeth. These other four teeth are your third molars, also called “wisdom teeth”

Why should I remove my wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. When they line up properly, and the gum tissue is healthy, the wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this is not what usually happens. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they can not erupt appropriately inside the mouth. They can grow sideways, only partially emerge from the gum, or they can even remain trapped under the gum and bone. The retained teeth can take many positions in the bone in their attempt to find a path that allows them to erupt successfully. An impacted tooth means that it is “stuck”.

These teeth impacted in a wrong position can cause many problems. When they partially erupt, the opening around the teeth allows the bacteria to grow and eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure of erupting wisdom teeth can move other teeth and alter the alignment of orthodontics or natural teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jaw and healthy teeth. The extraction of retained teeth usually solves these problems. Early excision is recommended to avoid complications.

Oral exam

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, in Oralcorp ® you can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are possible present or future problems. Patients are usually assessed first in the teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. In Oralcorp ®, we perform these surgeries in our operating room suitable for dental operations.

Elimination

In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is done under local anesthesia, or general anesthesia, rarely. These options, as well as surgical risks (Such as sensory nerve damage or sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding bite the gauze placed in the mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Your discharge will include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medications, antibiotics and a follow-up appointment in a week to remove the suture. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.

Facial trauma

A specialized oral and maxillofacial surgeon is fully qualified to repair facial injuries. These professionals are experts in emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation – not only for physical reasons but because of emotional reasons. Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high emotional level, as well as physical trauma to patients. The science and technique of treating these injuries requires special training involving a “Specialist”; Experience and understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient’s long-term function and appearance./p>

Our Maxillofacial in Oralcorp ® fully meets these modern standards. He is trained, qualified, and the only one qualified to handle and treat facial trauma. It is part of the staff at local hospitals and offers emergency room coverage for face injuries, which include the following conditions:

• Facial lacerations
• Intraoral lacerations
• Avulsed teeth
• Fractured facial bones (cheek, nose or eye socket)
• Fractured jaws (upper and lower jaw)

The nature of Maxillofacial Trauma

There are some possible causes of facial injuries, such as car accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence and work-related injuries. Types of injuries on the face can range from injuries to the teeth to severe injuries to the skin and bones of the face. In general, facial injuries are classified as soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to particular regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves, or salivary glands).

Soft tissue injuries of the maxillofacial region

When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, occur on the face, suturing repairs them. In addition to the evident concern of providing repair, the best possible aesthetic result is obtained, care is taken to inspect and treat lesions in structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands and salivary ducts (or outflow channels). Our Oralcorp® Specialist is a well-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is competent in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of facial lacerations.

Bony lesions of the maxillofacial region

Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in such a way to fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, including the location of the split, the severity of the fracture, and the age and general health of the patient. When an arm or leg is broken, a cast is often applied to stabilize the bone to allow adequate healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, other means have been developed to support facial fractures.

One of these options involves the cerclage of the jaws for certain fractures of the upper or lower jaw. Certain other types of jaw fractures are treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the site involved. This treatment technique can often allow healing and eliminates the need to have the jaws with wires together. This technique is called “rigid fixation” of a fracture. The relatively recent development and use of rigid fixation have significantly improved the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.

The treatment of facial fractures should be carried out comprehensively and predictably. More importantly, the patient’s facial appearance should be minimally affected. An attempt to access the bones of the face through the necessary incisions is made in a lesser amount. At the same time, the required incisions are designed to be small and, wherever possible, placed so that the resulting scar is hidden.

Injuries to teeth and surrounding dental structures
Isolated lesions on the teeth are prevalent and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons are usually involved in the treatment of fractures in the supporting bone, or in the replanting of the teeth that have been displaced. These types of injuries are treated by splinting (stabilizers or bonding by the teeth). If a tooth falls, it should be placed in salt water, milk or keep it in the mouth. The sooner the tooth is inserted back into the tooth socket, the better chance it will survive. Therefore, the patient should consult a dentist or an oral surgeon as soon as possible. Never try to clean the tooth outside, since the remains of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaws are united and vital for the successful replanting of the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called, as an endodontist, to perform root canal therapy, and restorative dentists, who may need to repair or reconstruct fractured teeth. If injuries to teeth cannot be repaired, dental implants are often the best choice as substitutes for lost teeth.
Proper treatment of facial injuries is now the domain of specialists who are well trained in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and patient rehabilitation.

Extractions

Our professionals in Oralcorp ® may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth can be extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a significant impact on your dental health.

To avoid these complications, in most cases Oralcorp ® will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.

The Extraction Process

At the time of extraction, the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.

During the extraction process, you will feel much pressure. This is from the operation of firmly rocking the tooth to widen the socket for removal.

You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit force are not profoundly affected.

If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction, please let us know right away.

Sectioning a tooth

Some teeth require sectioning, this is a standard procedure done when a tooth is firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the cavity can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor directly cuts the tooth into parts then removes each section one at a time.

After Extraction Home Care

Bleeding

Some bleeding may occur. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this.

Blood clots that form in the empty socket

This is an essential part of the healing process, and you must be careful not to dislodge the clot.

• Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction.
• Avoid use of a straw, smoking or hot liquids.
  Swelling

If swelling occurs, you can place ice on your face for 10 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.

Pain and Medications

If you experience pain, you may use non-prescription pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Eating

For most extractions make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. A liquid diet may be recommended for 24 hours.

Brushing and Cleaning

After the extraction, avoid brushing the teeth near the extraction site for one day. After that, you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction, you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.

Dry Socket

Dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the cavity where the tooth has been extracted, or the clot has been dislodged, and the healing is significantly delayed.

Following the post extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain which doesn’t appear until three or four days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. Dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath and the extraction site appears dry. Oralcorp® will apply a medicated dressing to the dry socket to soothe the pain.

Healing

After a tooth has been extracted, there will be a resulting hole in your jawbone where the tooth was. In time, this will smooth and fill in with bone. This process can take many weeks or months. However, after 1-2 weeks you should no longer notice any inconvenience.