Oral and maxillofacial surgery encompasses both soft tissue and hard tissue operations. Soft tissue procedures involve treating conditions such as cysts in the gums or mouth, gingivitis, wounds, and lesions in the oral and jaw areas, as well as addressing congenital or accident-related clefts in the lip and palate.

Conversely, hard tissue disorders present a broader spectrum of challenges. Common hard tissue issues addressed in maxillofacial surgery include normal and surgical tooth extractions, identification and removal of impacted teeth, placement of dental implants, management of jaw dislocations and fractures, treatment of dental infections and cavities, addressing complications in the maxillary sinus related to teeth and jaw, and pre-prosthetic surgical interventions to prepare the jaw for prosthetic placement.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Among the most prevalent procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery are surgical extractions, particularly wisdom tooth extraction. When a wisdom tooth fails to erupt properly, leading to symptoms such as severe pain or abscess, surgical extraction becomes necessary. While the prospect of this procedure may evoke fear and anxiety, proper surgical techniques and anesthesia ensure its effective management.