An oral surgeon is a specialist dentist who treats diseases of the mouth, teeth, jaw and tongue, especially with surgery. Oral surgeons need to have a dental education background, then complete specialist education in the field of oral surgery.
The range of fields handled by oral surgeons is quite extensive. Oral surgeons need to master dentistry as well as general surgery. In addition, oral surgeons also need to attend specialized education for 5-6 years (around 12 semesters) after becoming a dentist.
To deal with various conditions experienced by patients, oral surgeons also often collaborate with other specialist doctors, such as dentists and their specialty branches, ENT surgeons, plastic surgeons, and oncologists.
Diseases that can be treated by oral surgeons
Oral surgeons have in-depth knowledge about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases or conditions that occur in the mouth or jaw.
The following are various conditions that can be handled by oral surgeons:
- Abnormalities in the mouth and jaw area, such as cleft lip or palate.
- Abscess in the mouth and jaw area.
- Tumors or cancers and cysts in the mouth and jaw area, such as salivary gland cancer, oral cancer, tongue cancer, and dental cysts.
- Tooth impaction, the failure of the tooth growth process in the right position, so that part or all of the teeth are trapped in the gums.
- Disorders of the TMJ (tempromandibular joint), which are joints that function to move the jaw and connect the jaw to the skull.
- Infection of teeth, gums, and mouth. Examples are tooth and gum abscesses, or abscesses in the mouth and tongue tissue.
- Impaired jaw movements, such as trismus or stiff jaws.
- Impaired position and structure of the jaw bone and teeth. For example, the tooth is bent (overbite), the lower jaw is too advanced (underbite), or the lower jaw is too backward (retrognathia).
- Nerve disorders in the mouth and jaw area, such as trigeminal neuralgia.
- Injuries to the mouth and jaw area, including broken or cracked jawbones.
- Sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea.
Oral surgeons can also treat a variety of problems with teeth and gums that require surgery including cavities, cracked teeth, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
What the Oral Surgeon Can Do
In making a diagnosis, the oral surgeon will trace the medical history, as well as the symptoms felt by the patient. After that, the doctor will perform a series of physical examinations on the patient's teeth, mouth and jaw.
To confirm the diagnosis, an oral surgeon may also advise the patient to have dental and oral X-ray examinations, CT scans, and MRIs. Blood tests and tissue sampling by biopsy are also possible, if needed.
After the diagnosis is confirmed, the oral surgeon will determine the treatment steps. Handling can be with drugs or medical procedures. The aim is to restore the function of the affected mouth, teeth and jaw area.
The following are some of the actions an oral surgeon can perform:
- Tooth extraction to the root.
- Dental implant insertion involving bone grafts.
- Orthognathic surgery or jaw surgery.
- Removal of cysts, tumors, or cancer in the mouth, tongue, and jaw.
- Jaw and face reconstruction.
- Jaw joint surgery.
- Surgical deformities of the mouth and jaw, for example cleft lip surgery.
- Salivary gland surgery.
Oral surgeons can also carry out radiation therapy, chemotherapy, plastic surgery, to the installation of assistive devices in the mouth, such as jaw stretching devices.
When Should You See a Oral Surgeon?
Disorders of the mouth and jaw that are left, especially in the long term, can cause complications that can interfere with daily activities, such as chewing and talking.
Therefore, you should immediately see a dentist or oral surgeon if you experience the following symptoms:
- The jaw feels painful, stiff, or sounds.
- Gums are painful, swollen, festering, or bleeding.
- The shape of the jaw is not in harmony with the teeth.
- Difficulty or pain when chewing and swallowing.
- There are deformities in the mouth and jaw area.
- Tooth decay or severe cavities.
- Bad breath or bad mouth.
- The jaw is difficult to move, even just to open the mouth.
The symptoms above may come and go or stay for a long time. Symptoms may also occur on only one side of the jaw or both.
Things You Need To Prepare Before Meeting An Oral Surgeon
You generally go to an oral surgeon after getting a referral from a dentist. Before going to an oral surgeon, there are some things that need to be prepared to make it easier for doctors to determine the right treatment.
The following are some of the things you need to prepare and pay attention to before consulting an oral surgeon:
- Bring the results of the examination that you've done before, including a history of treatment from a dentist.
- Share your symptoms and complaints in detail.
- Tell your doctor about your and your family's medical history. Some diseases, such as diabetes, make a person more susceptible to disorders of the mouth and jaw.
- Prepare a list of medicines that are being consumed (including supplements and herbal medicines), as well as allergies that you have.
- Tell your doctor about your habits, both about oral hygiene or other things, such as smoking.
- Ask your family or friends to accompany you, so that you feel calmer when surgery needs to be done immediately.
You can find out in advance about the costs required to conduct an examination with an oral surgeon. The costs you will incur may not be small, especially if you need direct surgery.
Komentar
Posting Komentar