Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases of the teeth, jawbones, and oral tissues.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized branch concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the oral cavity, teeth, jaw bones, and surrounding tissues. Many conditions fall within the scope of this specialty, including impacted teeth, jaw cysts and tumors, tooth extractions, implant procedures, traumatic jaw fractures, and joint disorders.

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of problems occurring in the oral cavity, teeth, and jaw structure. This department evaluates problems in the oral and maxillofacial region and treats them surgically when necessary.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery aims to protect the health of the bones, teeth, and soft tissues within the mouth. Structures such as tooth roots, jawbones, gums, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) fall within the scope of this field. Therefore, this specialty addresses not only teeth but also conditions related to the overall structure of the jaw.

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What diseases does Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery treat?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized field concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the teeth, jawbones, temporomandibular joint, oral soft tissues, and facial region. This department evaluates a wide range of conditions, including infections, cysts, tumors, joint disorders, traumas, and structural abnormalities.

Dental diseases

Impacted teeth: These are teeth that remain embedded in the jawbone and do not erupt normally.
Tooth root infections: These are inflammatory conditions that develop at the root tip of a tooth and can cause pain and swelling.
Dentoalveolar abscesses: These are accumulations of pus caused by infections originating in the teeth.

Jawbone diseases

Jaw cysts: These are pathological cavities, usually filled with fluid, that form within the jawbone.
Jaw tumors: These are benign or malignant masses that can develop in the jaw and facial region.
Osteomyelitis: A serious bone infection that occurs in the jawbone.

Temporomandibular joint disorders

Temporomandibular joint disorders: These are diseases characterized by pain, clicking sounds, and limited movement in the jaw joint.
Jaw locking: This is a condition where the jaw is difficult to open or close, or completely locked.
Chewing function disorders: These are chewing problems originating from the jaw muscles and joints.

Oral soft tissue diseases

Oral lesions: These are sores, bumps, or discoloration that occur on the oral mucosa.
Aphthous ulcers are common, painful, superficial sores in the mouth.
Lichen planus: A chronic disease characterized by white lines or tenderness inside the mouth.
Leukoplakia: These are lesions that appear as white plaques inside the mouth and require monitoring.
Soft tissue growths: These are abnormal tissue growths that develop inside the mouth.

Infectious and inflammatory diseases

Mouth and jaw infections: These are bacterial in origin and can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness.

Cellulitis: A serious condition caused by the spread of infection to soft tissues.

Common facial and neck infections: These infections can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Jaw and facial traumas

Jaw fractures: These are fractures of the jawbone resulting from trauma.
Facial bone fractures: These are fractures that occur in facial bones such as the cheekbone and upper jaw.
Dental injuries: These are traumatic tooth damages such as fractures, displacement, or loss.
Soft tissue injuries: This involves damage to the tissues of the lips, cheeks, and inside the mouth.

Developmental and structural disorders

Jaw and facial deformities: These are structural disorders where the upper and lower jaws are misaligned.

Malocclusion: This refers to a condition where the teeth and jaws do not close properly.

Cleft lip and palate: These are congenital deformities of the face and mouth structure.

Jaw and facial pain and nerve disorders

Jaw and facial pain: Chronic pain originating from muscles, joints, or nerves.

Nerve damage (paresthesia): Manifests as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation.

Trigeminal neuralgia: A nerve disorder characterized by sudden and severe pain attacks in the facial area.

Salivary gland diseases

Salivary gland stones: These are hard formations that block the salivary ducts.

Salivary gland cysts: These are fluid-filled structures that form in the glands.

Salivary gland tumors: These are masses that develop in the salivary glands.

Conditions associated with implant and bone deficiency

Jawbone deficiencies: This is a condition where bone volume decreases after tooth loss.
Bone loss: This can develop due to trauma, infection, or tooth loss.

What are the diagnostic methods in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Diagnostic methods in oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgery are evaluation processes used to accurately identify diseases occurring in the mouth, teeth, jaw bones, temporomandibular joint, and surrounding tissues. Since accurate diagnosis directly impacts the success of treatment, a detailed and multifaceted examination is conducted in this field.

Clinical examination

Oral examination: This involves a detailed examination of the teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and cheek tissues.
Jaw and facial examination: External findings such as jaw structure, facial symmetry, and swelling are evaluated.
Functional assessment: Mouth opening and closing, chewing, and speech functions are observed.

Radiological imaging methods

Panoramic X-ray: Allows for evaluation of all teeth and jaw structure in a single image.
Periapical X-ray: Allows for detailed examination of a single tooth and the surrounding tissues.
Dental CT scan (CBCT): Provides three-dimensional imaging of the jawbone and anatomical structures.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Particularly used in the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint and soft tissues.
Computed tomography (CT): Provides detailed imaging of bone structures and in cases of trauma.

Oral cavity and soft tissue assessments

Lesion assessment: This involves examining any sores, swelling, or discoloration inside the mouth.
Palpation (manual examination): This involves assessing findings such as swelling, hardness, or tenderness by touch.

Pathological examination

Biopsy: This involves taking a sample of suspicious tissue and examining it in a laboratory.
Histopathological analysis: This involves evaluating the tissue sample under a microscope to make a definitive diagnosis.

Functional and joint assessments

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examination: The examination checks for pain, clicking sounds, and restricted movement during jaw movements.
Muscle assessment: The sensitivity and function of the chewing muscles are checked.

Digital and assisted diagnostic methods

Photographs and video recordings: Used for comparison before and after treatment.
Digital intraoral scan: Enables the creation of a detailed digital model of the oral structure.

What are the treatment methods in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery encompasses procedures aimed at treating diseases of the mouth, teeth, jaw bones, temporomandibular joint, and surrounding tissues, preserving function, and improving aesthetic appearance. The treatment plan is determined individually based on the type and extent of the disease and the patient's overall condition.

Dentoalveolar surgery

Tooth extraction: The removal of teeth from the mouth that cannot be saved.
Surgical extraction of impacted teeth: This is the process of removing teeth that remain embedded in the jawbone.
Apical resection: This involves removing infected tissue from the tip of a tooth root.

Jawbone cyst treatments

Cyst decompression: A pressure reduction procedure applied to shrink large cysts.
Cyst marsupialization: This is the process of allowing a cyst to open into the oral cavity and gradually shrink over time.
Cyst enucleation: This is the process of completely removing the cyst.

Treatment of jaw and facial tumors

Biopsy: This involves taking a sample of suspected tissue to establish a diagnosis.
Marginal resection: This involves removing only a limited portion of the tumor.
Segmental resection: The removal of a portion of the jawbone.
Block resection: This involves removing the tumor along with the surrounding tissues.
Maxillary resection: The removal of pathologies in the upper jaw region.
Mandibular resection: The removal of pathologies in the lower jaw region.
Reconstructive surgery: The process of rebuilding lost tissue.
Free flap reconstructions: Tissue transfer from other areas in cases of significant tissue loss.
Microsurgical techniques: These are precise surgical techniques used in advanced repairs.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatments

Conservative treatment methods include non-surgical approaches such as medication, splints, and exercise.
Physical therapy: Supports joint and muscle function.
Laser treatments: Help reduce pain and inflammation.
Arthrocentesis: This is a procedure to wash the inside of a joint.
Arthroscopy: The visualization and treatment of the inside of a joint using a camera.
Open joint surgery: This surgical method is used in advanced cases.
Arthroplasty: Surgery aimed at restoring joint function.
Discoplasty: The correction of the joint disc.
Distectomy: Removal of the damaged disc.
Disk replacement: This is the reconstruction of the joint disc.
TMJ (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Prostheses: Replacement of the joint with a prosthesis in cases of advanced TMJ damage.
Joint ankylosis surgery: This involves restoring joint mobility.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) applications: Provide supportive treatment for pain originating from jaw muscles.

Orthognathic surgery and deformity treatments

Le Fort I osteotomy: This is a repositioning of the upper jaw.
Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy: This is a procedure to correct the position of the lower jaw.
Vertical ramus osteotomy: This is a procedure to restore mandibular alignment.
Genioplasty: The aesthetic and functional reshaping of the chin.
Distraction osteogenesis: The controlled lengthening of bone tissue.
Genioplasti for sleep apnea: This is a surgical procedure aimed at widening the airway.

Oral soft tissue treatments

Removal of lesions: This involves removing suspicious tissue from inside the mouth.
Frenectomy: Correction of tongue and lip ties.
Periodontal aesthetic surgery: This involves reshaping gum levels.
Soft tissue modifications: This involves restoring the functionality of oral tissues.

Treatment of craniofacial traumas

Treatment of jaw and facial fractures: This involves repairing bone fractures caused by trauma.
Treatment of dental injuries: This includes treating broken or displaced teeth.
Soft tissue repair: This involves healing injuries to the lips and the inside of the mouth.

Cleft lip and palate treatments

Cleft lip surgery: This involves closing the opening in the lip.
Cleft palate surgery: This involves repairing the palate area.
Alveolar cleft grafting: This involves reinforcing jawbone openings with bone graft material.

Implant and bone augmentation treatments

Implant surgery: The process of placing implants to replace missing teeth.
Zygomatic implants: In cases of advanced bone loss, support is obtained from the cheekbone.
All-on-4/All-on-6 systems: These are fixed prosthetic solutions for complete edentulism.
Guided bone regeneration: This involves supporting bone formation.
Sinus floor elevation: This involves increasing the bone volume in the upper jaw.
Nerve repositioning: This is the repositioning of the nerve for the implant.
Alveolar crest augmentation: A procedure aimed at increasing bone volume.
Alveolar distraction osteogenesis: An increase in bone height.
PRF/PRP treatments are biological supports that accelerate tissue healing.

Graft applications

Autogenous graft: This involves using the patient's own bone.
Iliac graft: A graft taken from the hip bone.
Tibial graft: Taken from the tibia (shin bone).
Calvarial graft: Bone tissue taken from the skull.
Ramus graft: Taken from the back of the lower jaw.
Symphysis graft: Taken from the front of the lower jaw.
Allogeneic graft: The use of bone from a donor source.

Infections and emergency treatments

Abscess drainage: This is the process of draining inflammation caused by an infection.
Treatment of facial infections: This involves controlling infections that spread to the face and neck.

Salivary gland surgery

Salivary gland stone removal: This involves clearing blockages in the ducts.
Salivary gland cyst and tumor surgery: This involves the removal of formations originating from the gland.

Nerve and pain treatments

Nerve decompression: The relief of nerve compressions.
Neuropathic pain treatments: These are treatments for pain originating from nerves.

Prosthetic preparation surgeries

Alveoloplasty: The process of preparing the jawbone to be suitable for a prosthesis.
Vestibuloplasty: This involves widening the seating area of a prosthetic device.

Treatments for specific patient groups

Dental treatments for disabled patients: This involves planning treatment in appropriate conditions for individuals with special needs.
Treatment under sedation and general anesthesia: Ensures safe treatment for patients who are difficult to cooperate with.