What does a dental surgeon actually do?

Dental professionals work together to maintain oral health, assess its condition, correct deficiencies, and perform procedures in patients’ mouths and teeth.

What does a dental surgeon do and what tasks does he perform?

Who is a dental surgeon?

Dental surgeons, or maxillofacial surgeons, are dental professionals who specialize in performing operations on the teeth, gums, and other areas around the mouth. As a rule, they are knowledgeable in other fields of medicine. First of all, it is about otolaryngology (treatment of ears, nose and throat) and plastic surgery.

What does a dental surgeon do?

General dentists typically refer patients to dental surgeons for more complex procedures that require unique evaluation, instruments, or treatments.

Some of the tasks performed by dental surgeons include:

Yarema Miklos, chief physician of the Yarema Dental clinic
Lubomyr Hlushko, dentist-surgeon of the Yarema Dental clinic

• removal of teeth that cannot be cured and wisdom teeth;
• dental implantation;
• corrective jaw surgery: Also called orthognathic surgery, this procedure corrects any problems in the jaw itself to help reposition the jaws and teeth, improving their function. It can make chewing easier, correct swallowing problems, and relieve symptoms of sleep apnea;
• treatment of facial injuries: this can include problems such as teeth falling out due to an accident, a dislocated jaw, or broken bones around the jaw;
• TMJ treatment: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is pain or discomfort caused by problems in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. In these cases, dental surgeons may offer patients treatment options at home or perform surgery to improve joint function;

• Tumor removal: This type of procedure may be needed if the patient has cancerous tumors in or around the mouth. They may also complement other treatment options, such as radiation and chemotherapy;
• soft tissue removal: Dental surgeons may also remove soft tissue, such as parts of the gums, to improve patients’ overall oral function. This may include procedures such as gum grafting;
• administration of anesthesia: Depending on the duration, intensity, and expected pain during the procedure, surgeons may also administer anesthesia to patients.

What is oral surgery

Oral surgery is any operation performed in the mouth: tooth extraction, implantation and tissue transplantation. This is a broad term that describes any surgery performed in the mouth.

There are many reasons why a patient may need oral surgery.

What is the difference between oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery?

Oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery overlap, but they are not the same. Oral surgery treats diseases that affect the teeth, gums, and any other part of the mouth. Common procedures include tooth extraction, dental implants, and gum grafting. Dental surgeons usually perform treatment in a clinic.

Maxillofacial surgery treats diseases that affect the face, mouth, jaws, and neck. Common procedures include jaw surgery and cheiloschisis (cleft lip) correction. Maxillofacial surgeons can perform many of the same procedures as oral surgeons. But they also perform cosmetic surgery on the face and reconstruct broken facial bones. Medical professionals usually perform these procedures in an inpatient setting. It is important to note that dental surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons have the same education and specialization.

If you need wisdom teeth removed, you will likely see a dental surgeon. But if you have facial injuries from a car accident, you will see a maxillofacial surgeon.

How to prepare for surgery in the oral cavity?

Preparation for surgery depends on several factors, such as the type of surgery and the type of anesthesia.

Here are some general guidelines for preparing for oral surgery:

• arrange for a friend or family member to accompany you to and from the procedure;
• refrain from eating and drinking a few hours before the procedure;
• take a few days off to recover.

What happens during surgery in the oral cavity?

Depending on the situation, you can undergo the procedure in a clinic or in a hospital. What happens during oral surgery depends on the type of procedure you need.

Usually, operations proceed as follows:

• local anesthesia is administered to the patient to numb the mouth during surgery;
• a dental surgeon with assistants will perform an operation using specialized instruments, depending on the patient’s needs, it can be tooth extraction, implant placement, or bone or soft tissue reshaping. During the operation, the patient should not feel pain.

The duration of the procedure depends on the type of surgery: extraction of a single tooth usually takes much less time than a more complex procedure, such as a gum transplant.
After the procedure, the doctor will give postoperative instructions, explain how to take care of yourself, what you can and cannot eat. Following these instructions will reduce the risk of bleeding, infection, and other complications.

What are the advantages of oral cavity surgery?

Oral surgery can correct conditions where non-surgical methods will not help.

Benefits include:

• Better health. Combined with conventional dental treatment, oral surgery can treat conditions that cause infection, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Better oral health means better overall health.
• Aesthetics. The appearance of your teeth can have a big impact on your anxiety and how comfortable you feel in social situations. Oral surgery can help solve these problems.
• Improved function. Oral surgery can help replace damaged or missing teeth, reducing problems with eating and speaking.
• Analgesia. Oral surgery can correct painful problems such as broken teeth, tooth decay, and bleeding gums.
• Prevention. Preventative treatment, such as wisdom tooth extraction, can help you avoid potential problems later.

What are the risks or complications of oral surgery

Like any procedure, oral surgery carries risks.

Possible complications include:

• infection;
• damage to adjacent teeth;
• dry hole;
• numbness;
• incomplete tooth extraction;
• perforation of the bottom of the maxillary sinus.

How long does recovery take?

Healing time can vary, but most people feel better after two to three days. The more complicated the surgery in the oral cavity, the longer it will take to recover. You should not have much pain after oral surgery, but you will feel some discomfort, which can be relieved with painkillers.
After oral surgery, your mouth will continue to heal even after you feel better. Usually, soft tissues heal in about a month. Bone healing can take up to six months. Careful self-care after oral surgery can reduce the risk of complications.
The thought of oral surgery may seem unpleasant. But this is the only way to treat some diseases of the oral cavity. Today, dental surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to speed up your recovery.