What Does a Maxillofacial Surgeon Do?

Maxillofacial surgeons, also known as oral surgeons, specialize in dental surgeries. A maxillofacial surgeon can help correct issues with a patient’s teeth and lower face. Here are some procedures that maxillofacial surgeons perform.

Bone Grafts

Missing teeth or untreated periodontitis are common causes of bone loss. Without sufficient supporting bone, missing teeth cannot be replaced.

Bone grafting is a procedure that restores bone density through real or synthetic grafts. After a bone graft solidifies with the rest of a patient’s jaw, dental implants are viable tooth replacements.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Wisdom teeth are the final molars to grow between ages 17 and 21 on average. Most people need their wisdom teeth removed, as these molars commonly grow crooked or become impacted and cause disruptive oral health issues. Oral surgeons can put patients under anesthesia to remove wisdom teeth safely and effectively.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are prosthetics that include a crown, abutment, and titanium root that function like natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures are a great solution for individuals who wish to replace multiple missing teeth at the same time. Once healed, dental implants allow patients to chew, brush, and floss normally and can last for years. 

Impacted Tooth Bracketing

Sometimes teeth fail to erupt through the gumline properly and become impacted. Impacted teeth cause issues, including difficulty chewing and eventual bone loss in the affected area. Impacted teeth occur most often in children and adolescents. A maxillofacial surgeon can operate on an impacted tooth to expose the tooth and use an orthodontic bracket to help the tooth erupt slowly.

Oral Cancer Treatment

Regular oral cancer screenings at the dentist can reveal lesions or growths in a patient’s lower face and mouth. This vital process enables people to catch oral cancer early and get treatment right away.

A qualified maxillofacial surgeon can remove and send off abnormal growth tissue for biopsy to determine what it is and what steps or treatments to begin next.

How to Find a Good Maxillofacial Surgeon

At some point, most people need to get minor surgery to address an oral or facial health concern. When undergoing a procedure, you will want to visit a maxillofacial surgeon you trust to provide a high-quality experience and services.

At Jackson Oral Surgery, we prioritize patient comfort and safety when performing a wide range of maxillofacial procedures. Get in touch with us today to set up your appointment with Dr. Jackson.

 

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