Dentoalveolar Surgeries
Expert surgical management of teeth and supporting structures
The surgical management of soft and hard tissues is at the core of what oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to do. Dentoalveolar surgeries involve the alveolar bone and supporting structures, including:
1. Removal of Impacted Teeth
Purpose: Extract teeth that are trapped in the jawbone or gums, often causing pain, infection, or crowding.
Common Cases:
- Third molars (wisdom teeth)
- Impacted canines or premolars
Techniques:
- Simple extraction (for erupted teeth)
- Surgical extraction (for impacted/bony impactions)
- Piezoelectric surgery (minimizes nerve/bone damage)
2. Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
Purpose: Rebuild lost alveolar bone to support implants or prosthetics.
Types:
- Autografts: Patient’s own bone (chin/hip)
- Allografts: Donor bone
- Xenografts: Animal-derived (e.g., bovine)
- Synthetic grafts: Hydroxyapatite, TCP
Procedures:
- Socket preservation (post-extraction grafting)
- Sinus lifts (for upper jaw implants)
- Ridge augmentation (for severe bone loss)
3. Removal of Jaw Cysts & Tumors
Conditions Treated:
- Periapical cysts (from infected teeth)
- Dentigerous cysts (around impacted teeth)
- Odontogenic tumors (e.g., ameloblastoma)
Techniques:
- Enucleation (complete cyst removal)
- Marsupialization (for large cysts, staged removal)
- Resection (for aggressive tumors)
4. Orthodontic Support Procedures
Surgeries to Aid Tooth Movement:
- Exposure of Impacted Teeth (bonding brackets to buried teeth)
- Frenectomy (removing restrictive lip/tongue ties)
- Corticotomy (accelerated orthodontics via bone cuts)
Key Considerations
- Advanced Imaging: CBCT scans for precise planning
- Minimally Invasive Options: Laser or piezoelectric tools for reduced trauma
- Recovery Timeline: Varies by procedure (3-7 days for extractions, months for graft healing)