Oral and maxillofacial surgery is an orthodontic treatment used to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. This surgical specialty is recognized by the Canadian Dental Association and requires additional formal training. The orthodontists at Wonder West Orthodontics are trained in working with the oral and maxillofacial surgeons in treating the craniomaxillofacial complex and look forward to helping you achieve your desired smile.
Oral Surgeons: Changing Lives with a Smile
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the only recognized dental specialists who, after completing dental school, are surgically trained in a Canadian Dental Association-accredited hospital-based residency program for a minimum of four years. They train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery, and anesthesiology and also spend time in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, emergency medicine and other specialty areas. Their training focuses exclusively on the hard and soft tissue of the face, mouth and jaws, and their knowledge and surgical expertise uniquely qualify them to diagnose and treat the functional and aesthetic conditions in this part of the body.
Oral and Maxillofacial Conditions and Treatments
Choose the orthodontists at Wonder West Orthodontics to help correctly diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw or orthognathic surgery is performed in which the upper jaw, lower jaw, and chin may be repositioned to correct minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, which can improve chewing, speaking and breathing. Difficulty chewing or biting food, excessive wear of teeth, a receding chin, a protruding jaw or sleep apnea may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop. Sometimes they emerge from the gum line, when the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but more often than not, they fail to emerge and become impacted. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections and even gum disease. The Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons strongly recommends that wisdom teeth be removed by the time the patient is a young adult to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing. Talk to your orthodontist about wisdom teeth removal and dental surgery.
Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and cleft palate result when all or portions of the mouth and nasal cavity do not grow together properly during fetal development. The result is a gap in the lip or a split in the opening in the roof of the mouth. Until it is treated with surgery, a cleft palate can cause problems with feeding, speech, and hearing. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists work as part of a team of healthcare specialists to correct these problems through a series of treatments and surgical procedures over many years.
Facial Trauma
Maxillofacial injuries or facial trauma encompass any injury to the mouth, face, and jaw. One of the most common types of serious injury to the face occurs when bones are broken. Fractures can involve the lower jaw, upper jaw, palate, cheekbones, eye sockets or combinations of these bones. These injuries can affect sight and the ability to breathe, speak and swallow. Because of this, the expertise of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is indispensable.
Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet and allows the lower jaw to move and function. If you experience jaw pain, earaches, headaches, a limited ability to open or close your mouth, clicking or grating sounds, you may have Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery. If non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or if there is clear joint damage, surgery may be indicated which can involve either arthroscopy or repair of damaged tissue by a direct surgical approach.
Oral Cancer
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that everyone perform an oral cancer self-exam each month. If you notice white or red patches, an abnormal lump, chronic sore throat or hoarseness or difficulty chewing or swallowing, you should contact your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. They will remove a section of tissue to perform a biopsy and accurately diagnose the problem.
Implants
Dental implants are long-term replacements for missing teeth that your oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone. Dental implants are composed of titanium metal that fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, bone loss is generally not a problem.
Outpatient Anesthesia
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have the ability to provide patients with safe, effective outpatient anesthesia including local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, IV sedation and general anesthesia. During their surgical residency, residents must complete a rotation on the medical anesthesiology service where they become competent in evaluating patients for anesthesia, delivering the anesthetic and monitoring post-anesthetic patients.
Book an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Consultation in London
Oral and maxillofacial surgery can help you achieve the smile that you deserve and reduce pain experienced from certain conditions. The orthodontists at Wonder West Orthodontics will work alongside oral and maxillofacial surgeons to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment that is personalized to you. Book a consultation with our patient-oriented team to start your journey.