Instances Where Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is Needed

Sometimes, going to the dentist means more than getting a routine checkup. In those instances, you may need a specialty service that requires the assistance of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. While All Smiles Care does not currently have an oral surgeon on staff, we are able to help in some instances where oral surgery is needed. For every other case, we’re happy to refer you to any one of the highly qualified surgeons in the area.

But, before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s dive into what oral and maxillofacial surgery is and when you would need these procedures. Keep reading to learn more!

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a type of procedure that is meant to treat or cure a variety of oral diseases, injuries, and disorders. These surgeries are generalized to the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial, or the face and jaw, regions. Some of these procedures include the extraction of wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, and dental implant surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialized in performing these procedures and are also trained to administer anesthesia and provide care in an inpatient setting. The main difference between the two types of surgery is that maxillofacial surgeons are trained to treat conditions that impact the mouth, face, head, and neck, while oral surgeons may choose to focus on advanced procedures pertaining to the mouth and oral structures.

When Do You Need Oral Surgery?

There are many reasons why you would need to get oral surgery. If you experience severe facial trauma, need a tooth extracted, or are dealing with any other condition that impacts the mouth, throat, head, face, and neck, oral and maxillofacial surgery may be a good option for you to bring up to your regular dentist.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a dental restoration option that completely takes the place of a tooth, including the root. Dental implants may be necessary if you are missing teeth but don’t want to get dentures, bridges, or crowns.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)

The TMJ connects your jaws to your skull. When you have a TMJ disorder, you may experience pain or discomfort around those joints, making it hard to fully control your jaw movement. TMJ surgeries can range from minimally-invasive procedures that flush the area of debris to open-joint surgery that repair or replace the joint.

Teeth or Jaw Misalignment

If anything is misaligned in your mouth, it can be hard for you to chew, speak, or breath properly, which affects your overall quality of life. Oral and maxillofacial surgery can help in these circumstances by aligning the jaw so your bite functions properly.

Wisdom Teeth Issues and Impacted Teeth

It’s generally recommended that teens and adults get their wisdom teeth removed in order to avoid any oral issues in the future. For people who opt to not get that procedure done, they can experience adverse effects such as impacted teeth or frequent wisdom cavities. The best way to mitigate these issues is to consult with an oral or maxillofacial surgeon to remove the teeth before they cause even more issues.

Oral or Skin Cancer Evaluation

If you’ve been diagnosed with oral or skin cancer that’s localized to the face or neck, it may be worth visiting an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an evaluation and second opinion or to remove the cancer cells.

Facial Trauma/Reconstruction Surgery

Millions suffer from accidents that leave them with facial trauma so severe that they need to completely reconstruct their face. Facial reconstruction surgery is incredibly invasive and specialized, which means that you will need a surgeon that is uniquely qualified to handle the intricacies of the area.

Finding an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Westminster, MD

If you believe that you are a candidate for any of the above surgeries, give All Smiles Care a call. Dr. Imm is an accomplished dentist that is able to perform many of the procedures listed above, and additionally has a trusted network of surgeons for more advanced procedures. 

We’re standing by to schedule an appointment – get in touch with us today!