What Does an Oral Surgeon Actually Do

Dental professionals collaborate to maintain oral health, assess its condition, correct issues, and perform procedures in the mouth and on patients’ teeth.

What does an oral surgeon do and what tasks do they perform?

Who is an oral surgeon?

Oral surgeons, or maxillofacial surgeons, are dental professionals who specialize in performing operations on teeth, gums, and other areas around the mouth. They are usually knowledgeable in other fields of medicine as well, primarily otolaryngology (treatment of the ears, nose, and throat) and plastic surgery.

What does an oral surgeon do?

General dentists usually refer patients to oral surgeons for more complex procedures that require unique assessment, instruments, or treatment methods.

Some of the tasks performed by oral surgeons include:

Yarema Miklosh, chief physician of the Yarema Dental clinic
Liubomyr Hlushko, oral surgeon at the Yarema Dental clinic

• extraction of teeth that cannot be treated, as well as wisdom teeth;
• dental implantation;
• corrective jaw surgery: this procedure, also called orthognathic surgery, eliminates any problems in the jaw itself to help change the position of the jaws and teeth, improving their function. It can facilitate chewing, correct swallowing problems, and relieve symptoms of sleep apnea syndrome;
• treatment of facial injuries: this may include issues such as tooth loss due to an accident, jaw dislocation, or fractures of the bones around the jaw;
•  treatment of TMJ disorders: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is pain or discomfort caused by problems in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. In such cases, oral surgeons may offer patients home treatment options or perform surgery to improve joint function;

• tumor removal: this type of procedure may be necessary if a patient has cancerous tumors in or around the mouth. They may also complement other treatment options such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy;
• removal of soft tissues: oral surgeons may also remove soft tissues, such as parts of the gums, to improve the overall function of the patient’s oral cavity. 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 grafting. It 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 conditions that affect the teeth, gums, and any other part of the mouth. Common procedures include tooth extraction, dental implantation, and gum grafting. Oral surgeons usually provide treatment in a clinic setting.

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

If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will most likely see an oral surgeon. But if you have facial injuries resulting from a car accident, you will visit a maxillofacial surgeon.

How to prepare for oral surgery?

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

Here are some general recommendations 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 for several hours before the procedure;
• allow yourself a few days of rest to recover.

What happens during oral surgery?

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

Typically, procedures proceed as follows:

• the patient is given local anesthesia to numb the mouth during the operation;
• the oral surgeon, together with assistants, performs the operation using specialized instruments; depending on the patient’s needs, this may involve tooth extraction, implant placement, or reshaping of bone or soft tissues. During the procedure, the patient should not feel pain.

The duration of the procedure depends on the type of surgery: removal of a single tooth usually takes significantly less time than a more complex procedure, such as gum grafting.

After the procedure, the doctor will provide postoperative instructions, explain how to take care of yourself, and what you can and cannot eat. Following these instructions will reduce the risk of bleeding, infection, and other complications.

What are the benefits of oral surgery?

Oral surgery can correct conditions where non-surgical methods are ineffective.

Benefits include:

• Better health. Combined with routine dental care, oral surgery can treat conditions that cause infection, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Better oral health means improved overall health.
• Aesthetics. The appearance of teeth can have a significant impact on anxiety and on how comfortable you feel in social situations. Oral surgery can help address these issues.
• Improved function. Oral surgery can help replace damaged or missing teeth, reducing problems with eating and speaking.
• Pain relief. Oral surgery can correct painful conditions such as broken teeth, tooth decay, and bleeding gums.
• Prevention. Preventive treatment, such as wisdom tooth removal, can help you avoid potential problems later.

What are the risks or complications of oral surgery?

Like any procedure, oral surgery is associated with risks.

Possible complications include:

• infection;
• damage to adjacent teeth;
• dry socket;
• numbness;
• incomplete tooth removal;
• perforation of the floor of the maxillary sinus.

How long does recovery take?

Healing time may vary, but most people feel better within two to three days. The more complex the oral surgery, the more time will be needed for recovery. You should not experience severe pain after oral surgery, but you may feel some discomfort, which can be relieved with painkillers.

After oral surgery, the mouth will continue to heal even after you start feeling better. Soft tissues usually heal in about a month. Bone healing may 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. However, it is the only way to treat certain oral conditions. Today, oral surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to speed up your recovery.

This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.