Who are oral surgeons?
Oral surgeons are dental professionals trained to treat various injuries, diseases, and defects affecting the head, neck, jaw, or face. They also treat the soft and hard tissues that comprise the oral and maxillofacial regions. Many oral surgeons choose to subspecialize in fields like microvascular construction (head and neck cancer), cosmetic surgery (rhinoplasties or facelifts), pediatric maxillofacial surgery (cleft palate and lip repair), and craniomaxillofacial trauma (injuries to the face, head, and neck).
An oral surgeon can help with wisdom tooth extraction, jaw-joint issues, overbite or underbite, implants, improving denture fitting, sleep and breathing issues like sleep apnea, and oral cancer. They can also treat salivary glands, neck, jaws, and oral cavity infections. Oral surgeons commonly practice in hospitals but can also work in office settings.
Types of oral surgery
Oral surgery encompasses various specialized procedures to address multiple dental and jaw-related issues.
- Tooth extraction: This standard procedure involves removing a tooth due to severe decay, gum disease (periodontitis), trauma, or alleviating complications with wisdom teeth. It is often important to maintain complete oral health and may be performed as a preparatory step for dentures or other prosthetic devices.
- Dental bone graft: When bone loss occurs in the jaw, typically due to missing teeth, where natural roots no longer stimulate the bone, a dental bone graft is required. This procedure restores bone volume and density, creating a stable foundation for future dental implants.
- Dental implants are titanium or zirconia posts placed into the jawbone through surgery to replace missing tooth roots. Once healed, they support dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dental implants are known for their durability and ability to mimic natural teeth.
- Periodontal surgery is performed in patients with advanced gum disease (periodontitis). The surgery involves cleaning the roots of the teeth and repositioning gum tissue. It may also include procedures like gum grafts to cover exposed roots or reinforce receding gums, improving tooth stability and oral health.
- Corrective jaw surgery: Also called orthognathic surgery, this procedure corrects abnormalities of the jaw bones. It enhances chewing function, corrects misalignment issues, or alleviates discomfort associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- Sleep apnea surgery: Surgical interventions may be necessary for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) where other treatments, like CPAP machines or oral appliances, are ineffective. These surgeries address airway obstructions during sleep, improving breathing and sleep quality.
- Cleft lip and palate repair: This operation is performed on infants born with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both conditions. It involves reconstructing the facial structures to enable proper eating, speech development, and overall facial aesthetics as the child grows.
Every type of oral surgery is designed to treat particular dental or jaw-related conditions, ranging from routine extractions to complex reconstructions. The goal is to effectively improve both functionality and aesthetics.
Oral surgeons vs. general dentists
Oral surgeons and general dentists are dental care professionals who attend dental school after their bachelor's degree. They study anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, and oral surgery for four years. In addition to these general courses, they also learn how to diagnose and treat oral health concerns. Their paths diverge after graduating with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
A general dentist must undertake a licensing examination to practice, while oral surgeons must enroll in a surgical residency. This program lasts four to six years and enables them to learn about oral surgery, pathology, anesthesiology, etc. Subsequently, they can practice as an oral surgeon after clearing a board certification examination.
Another interesting difference is their scope of practice. General dentists act as primary care physicians for their patients' dental concerns. They provide X-rays, teeth cleaning, dental screenings, fillings or roots, and insert veneers, crowns, and bridges. While they can perform simple tooth extractions, more complex needs may necessitate an oral surgeon's care. Often, general dentists refer their patients to oral surgeons for more complicated procedures like performing reconstructive dental surgery on accident victims, soft tissue biopsies, or tumor removals in oral cancer patients, etc.
Maxillofacial surgery: causes, risks, and complications
A highly skilled oral surgeon performs maxillofacial surgery to help correct defects or heal injuries and diseases of the face, jaw, or mouth. Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend it to improve jaw function, relieve pain, prepare the mouth for dentures, place dental implants, extract affected teeth, etc. Maxillofacial surgeries can also correct birth abnormalities such as a cleft lip or palate, diagnose and treat cysts, tumors, or other growths in the head or neck, and treat facial fractures.
During your first appointment with an oral surgeon, the dentist will discuss your symptoms and review your medical and family history, ongoing medications, etc. They may also examine your oral cavity and order dental X-rays, 3D scans, or other imaging tests. The actual length of surgical procedures varies from problem to problem. Your doctor may perform it in one outpatient session or require you to stay for multiple rounds of surgery.
Patients receive anesthesia during maxillofacial surgery to minimize pain or sedate them. Once the procedure ends, your surgeon may have to close the surgical wounds with stitches. They may also insert some packing in your mouth to absorb blood, fluid, and pain and protect your teeth from injury. Your doctor will shift you to a recovery room until the anesthesia wears off. While that occurs, you may feel some pain or discomfort. Bleeding, bruising, limited jaw, teeth function, and swelling are other likely consequences of maxillofacial surgery.
Other complications that can follow post-surgery are:
- Infections
- Numbness in the mouth
- Dry socket
- Injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks, nasal cavity, sinuses, chin, etc.
- Root fragments
- Possible damage to some nerves
These effects will subside over time. But if you experience persistent fever or chills, abnormal swelling or pain, excessive blood or pus, or a salty, metallic, or sour taste in your mouth, you must contact your oral surgeon.
What happens during your initial oral surgery consultation?
Your first consultation with an oral surgeon is a key step in planning your treatment. Whether you're dealing with impacted wisdom teeth, exploring dental implants, or managing a more complicated oral health issue, this visit lays the foundation for a safe and successful outcome. Knowing what happens during this appointment can ease anxiety and help you come prepared.
The consultation typically starts with a detailed review of your medical and dental history. You'll be asked about any chronic conditions, allergies, medications (including supplements), and past surgeries. This information helps the oral surgeon identify any potential risks and tailor your treatment to your specific health profile. Make sure to disclose everything, including non-prescription drugs, as they may influence both the procedure and recovery.
After reviewing your history, the surgeon will examine your mouth, jaw, and facial structures. They often use diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or 3D scans, to gather a more accurate view. These images are essential for planning. For instance, if you're scheduled for wisdom teeth extraction, the surgeon will assess their position and proximity to nerves or sinuses. If dental implants are being considered, bone density and quality will be evaluated.
Once the assessment is complete, your surgeon will explain your condition, outline potential treatment options, and describe the recommended surgical procedure in detail. You'll learn what the surgery involves, how long it might take, what kind of anesthesia will be used, and what recovery will look like. It's also the right time to ask questions such as:
- Are there non-surgical alternatives?
- What is the expected outcome?
- What complications should I know about?
- How will the pain be managed?
Your surgeon will also review anesthesia choices based on your comfort level and procedure complexity. If you've had issues with sedation in the past, now's the time to mention them.
Before wrapping up, you'll receive instructions to follow before the surgery—like when to stop eating, which medications to avoid, and whether you'll need someone to drive you home.
How do you manage anxiety related to your upcoming oral surgery?
Oral surgery can create a lot of anxiety and stress, whether it's your first time or not, and that's perfectly normal. Delaying the surgical procedure may not be viable, as that can worsen your condition. What you can do instead is deal with the anxiety using the tips mentioned below to ensure you have a positive experience on the day of the surgery.
- Please make sure you are comfortable with your provider: Whenever you are looking for an oral surgeon near you, it is best to check their qualifications, expertise, experience, and patient reviews before you confirm your consultation with them. This way, you can ensure you trust them to provide the best care to you.
- Talk to your provider about your anxiety: If your oral surgeon knows your fears and concerns, they will adapt their treatment approach accordingly. They will explain the procedure details, suggest coping strategies, and perform the surgery at a comfortable pace with enough breaks.
- Book your appointment on a relatively free day: Having your consultation on a busy day can make the situation even more stressful. It is better to take a day off for the surgery or schedule it on the weekends. If you cannot do that, block some time before and after the surgery.
- Indulge in self-care: Before the scheduled visit, prioritize exercise, sleep, nutrition, and hydration. Engage in enjoyable activities like journaling, cooking, reading, or spending time with family and friends.
- Practice relaxation techniques: There are various effective ways to calm your nerves during the appointment, including deep breathing, guided imagery, and listening to audiobooks.
- Have a loved one accompany you: Emotional support from a loved one you trust can work wonders in managing your anxiety. Therefore, consider asking your family member, partner, or friend to join you for the appointment.
Finding a top-rated oral surgeon near you in Brooklyn, NY
Today, there are multiple doctors out there who practice the same specialty. Thus, finding one that suits your needs and fulfills your expectations can take time and effort. However, you can rely on Zocdoc to find the right specialist. Using its easy-to-navigate and user-friendly interface, you can enter the details of your address or symptoms, and a list of suitable oral surgeons will appear.
By browsing this list and viewing various doctor profiles, you can learn important information about each practitioner, such as their educational background, licensure, areas of expertise, and experience. You can also read about their awards, ratings, accreditations, language fluency, accepted insurance plans, and whether or not they treat children.
Suppose your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc. In that case, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card for us to scan and identify your likely plan (this feature is only available for medical insurance cards, not vision or dental). The image of your insurance card allows us to display relevant information about your coverage. If you encounter difficulties uploading your card, please feel free to reach out to our service team for assistance. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for any insurance-related questions.
To make an informed decision about your shortlisted doctor, you can browse the numerous verified reviews and ratings from previous patients. Once you have chosen an oral surgeon near you who suits you the best, you can securely book an in-person or virtual consultation directly via Zocdoc at no additional cost.
Oral surgery statistics in Brooklyn, New York
Data shared by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed around 270 practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metropolitan area as of May 2023. According to findings from the New York State Department of Health, more than 900 women and 1,900 men develop oral cavity cancer yearly. The organization also stated that nearly 200 women and 400 men lose their lives to the condition each year.
According to a report published by the City of New York website, between 2010 and 2012, 66 cases of cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) and 60 cases of cleft palate (without cleft lip) were recorded in the Brooklyn area of New York.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that one in every 1,050 babies in the country are born with cleft lip with or without cleft palate. The report also estimated that one in 1,600 babies are born with cleft palate.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
City of New York
Cleveland Clinic[1]
New York State Department of Health
Mid-Hudson Oral & Maxillofacial Practice, P.C.
WebMD
Indeed
OMS Nashville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Chamblee Dental Care
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Eastern Virginia
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