What is Oral, Dental, and Jaw Surgery?

 

Oral, Dental, and Jaw Surgery is a branch of dentistry that involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the mouth, teeth, jaw, and facial region, providing necessary medical and surgical treatments in cases of pain, aesthetics, or functional disorders.

 

Who is an Oral, Dental, and Jaw Surgeon?

 

To become an Oral, Dental, and Jaw Surgeon, one must graduate from a Faculty of Dentistry and then complete a master's program at a Faculty of Dentistry, after which they earn the title of Oral, Dental, and Jaw Surgery Specialist.

 

In which cases is jaw surgery performed?

 

- Extraction of wisdom teeth and impacted teeth

- Dental implant applications

- Infections in the jaw and facial region

- Disorders of the jaw joint

- Jaw cysts and tumors

- Jaw and facial anomalies

- Soft and hard tissue deformities

- Bone lesions

- Salivary gland diseases

- Jaw surgery applications are utilized in cases such as cleft palate and lip. Jaw surgery procedures can generally be performed using local anesthesia. Special jaw surgical operations involving the mouth, jaw, and facial regions may require general anesthesia.

 

Wisdom Teeth and Impacted Teeth:

 

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to develop in our mouths, totaling four, located at the back on the right and left, both above and below. They typically emerge between the ages of 18 and 25, although they may vary based on genetic traits and dietary habits, and sometimes remain impacted due to insufficient space in the mouth.

During the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth, if the tooth is located beneath the jawbone, bone tissue may need to be removed to facilitate the extraction. In this case, tools with good technology that can lift the bone without causing trauma to the bone surfaces are used. Sometimes, only the gum can cover the tooth. In this situation, an incision is made in the gum, the tooth is extracted, and the extent of the surgical procedure is usually smaller compared to other procedures. The angle of the impacted tooth's position, the amount of bone above it, and the amount of gum are criteria that determine the extent of the surgical procedure.

Other teeth may also be impacted due to trauma, similar to impacted wisdom teeth. If they are in a position that needs to be erupted, the gum covering them can be opened, and bone or bony structures can be removed to facilitate eruption, and orthodontic force can be applied. Sometimes, impacted teeth may have fused to the jawbone at a single point; in this case, the impacted tooth may not erupt on its own, and gentle movement of the tooth may allow for eruption with the application of orthodontic force.

 

When should wisdom teeth be extracted?

 

Wisdom teeth may emerge in a partially erupted manner when they cannot find sufficient space in the mouth, or they may remain completely impacted due to lack of space. The situations in which wisdom teeth should be extracted are as follows:

- If impacted or semi-impacted teeth that cannot find space within the dental arch make it difficult to clean the gums, leading to infection,

- If the teeth have fully erupted within the dental arch but result in decay of the wisdom tooth or the adjacent tooth due to insufficient cleaning,

- If the wisdom tooth causes pain to the adjacent tooth,

- If cysts form around the wisdom tooth,

- In cases where wisdom teeth are impacted or do not fully erupt, adjacent teeth may...

Dental Implant Applications:

 

Today, implant treatment, which is one of the most frequently applied therapies in dentistry, offers the ideal solution for cases of tooth loss. Dental implants can be used to correct missing teeth with the addition of prosthetics; they can be applied for complete tooth loss in the jaw, as well as for gaps between adjacent teeth either individually or in conjunction with bridge prosthetics.

Dental implants are screw-shaped and bond with the jawbone, mimicking the natural tooth root.

 

Structure of Dental Implants

 

Dental implants consist of three units that come together to form a complete tooth.

1- Root

The root of dental implants is screw-shaped and made of titanium, placed into the jawbone to mimic the natural tooth root. This metal is ideal as it integrates with the bone to provide a long-term support point.

2- Abutment

The abutment is a structure used to place the crown, which imitates the tooth, on top of the root. It is typically made of titanium and acts as a connecting unit between the crown and the root.

3- Crown

The crown is the only visible part after the dental implant is applied. Crowns, produced using various materials, best mimic the form of a natural tooth.

Advantages of Dental Implants

• Prevents bone erosion
• Restores lost tooth functions
• Improves chewing
• Provides a better appearance
• Generally improves oral health

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants consist of a procedure with 4 sections that can vary for each patient.

General Examination 

Before starting the dental implant surgery, the oral and dental health is examined to identify existing problems. Tomographs, or 3D images, should be used to assess the area where the implant will be placed. The thickness and height of the bone must be determined. In the upper jaw, sinus cavities may sometimes extend towards the implant area. In such cases, it may be necessary to perform a sinus lift, which involves raising the walls of the sinus cavity to a higher level either before or during the implant procedure, thereby creating enough vertical space for the implant placement.

 

Bone Graft Addition and Sinus Lifting Procedure (Not Always Necessary)

 

Bone grafting is a procedure that should be performed before dental implants only if you do not have sufficient bone density in your jaw or if your jawbone is too weak to support the implant. This procedure involves your dentist taking bone tissue from another part of your body and placing it in your jaw. It is applied only when your bone density is insufficient.

After 2-3 months, the graft should integrate with the jawbone, allowing you to continue with your treatment.

In the upper jaw, sinus cavities may sometimes sag toward the implant area. In this case, it may be necessary to raise the walls of the sinus cavity to a higher level using a procedure called 'sinus lift' either before the implant is placed or during the implant placement session. This creates enough vertical distance to place the implant.

 

Dental Implant Surgery

 

This section involves placing the root in the jawbone. The procedures are performed entirely inside the mouth, leaving no visible scars.

The integration of the bone with the root takes up to 3 months. This healing process permanently stabilizes the root within the bone.

 

Placement of the Abutment

 

After the dental implants are placed and healing is achieved, the gum tissue covering the root is opened from the top, and the abutment is placed. Your dentist will then close the gum tissue around the abutment.

The healing period after this step is two weeks.

 

Placement of the Dental Crown

 

After all these procedures, measurements are taken from your mouth, and the crown designed to mimic your tooth as naturally as possible is sent to the laboratory.

 

Dental Implant Care Routine

 

The cleaning of dental implants should be done just like your natural teeth. You should brush your teeth twice a day, use dental floss, and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.