Maxillofacial Surgery

The official definition of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from the American Dental Association is as follows:

“Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.”

In plain English, that means Maxillofacial surgeons are trained to do just about any surgery or cosmetic procedure to correct just about any kind of problem with the mouth, jaws, facial structures and neck. We do everything form correcting cleft palates to rebuilding jaws, cheeks, noses, eye sockets and foreheads damaged in accidents. We remove complex tumors as well as impacted and nonrecoverable wisdom teeth. We also do other complex dental extractions.

Oral Surgery Q&A

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery refers to any operation involving incisions to treat complications with your teeth, jawbone, or the soft tissues in your mouth. There are many different types, and the team at Nuve Dental can help you decide which type, if any, can help you meet your oral health and wellness goals.

In most cases, you’ll need to go under some form of anesthesia for oral surgery. Local anesthesia numbs a localized area to make sure you don’t feel the incision or any other potentially uncomfortable part of your surgery. You may also have the option of IV sedation to keep you feel calm and at ease during your surgery. In some complex cases, oral surgery may call for general anesthesia instead. General anesthesia renders you unconscious, and you won’t remember anything after the procedure.

What are some common types of oral surgery?

The team at Nuve Dental specializes in oral surgery and uses a variety of surgical techniques to treat oral health conditions or improve oral functioning. A few available oral surgeries are:

Bone grafting

Bone grafting may be a necessary oral surgery before getting a dental implant. During a bone grafting procedure like a sinus lift, the team adds volume to your jawbone with artificial or natural bone material.

Dental implant surgery

Dental implant surgery is a surgical process to place small titanium posts in your jawbone. These posts, called implants, act as the natural roots of your teeth to support realistic-looking and functioning crowns or dentures.

Impacted wisdom tooth extractions

Impacted wisdom teeth do not emerge above the gumline and can contribute to complications like gum disease or tooth decay. To treat them, the team must make an incision to access and remove the tooth.

How should I prepare for oral surgery?

Before your oral surgery, you’ll need to attend one or more appointments for planning. The team may use 3D cone beam radiography to create a detailed three-dimensional image of your mouth. They use these images to predict possible complications and take them into consideration while planning your surgery. To help you prepare for surgery, the team may recommend: