Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a dental specialty that covers
the treatment of pathological conditions, cysts, and tumors in
the soft tissues (palate, cheeks, tongue, lips) and hard tissues
(teeth and jawbones) inside the mouth. It also includes surgical
procedures such as the extraction of impacted or abnormally
positioned teeth, jaw fractures, and corrections prior to
prosthetic applications.
What Treatments Are Included in Oral, Dental, and Maxillofacial
Surgery?
Impacted tooth surgeries
Tooth and jaw fractures
Cyst and tumor surgery
Jaw joint disorders
Salivary gland disorders
Jaw and facial pain and deformities
Evaluation of oral manifestations of systemic diseases
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Important?
Wisdom teeth (third molars) usually begin to erupt between the
ages of 17 and 25. If these teeth erupt in the correct position
and do not damage the surrounding tissues, they can remain in
the mouth. However, in most cases, they may remain impacted due
to insufficient jaw structure and positional abnormalities,
causing various problems.
Tooth Decay
Food debris around a newly emerging wisdom tooth can cause decay
in both that tooth and adjacent teeth. Treatment is difficult
and often results in pain and infection.
Gum Infection (Pericoronitis)
In partially erupted teeth, bacteria trapped under the gum
tissue can cause infection. This condition manifests as pain,
limited mouth opening (trismus), swelling, and bad breath. The
infection can spread to the cheek and neck area.
Pressure-Related Pain
Gömük yirmilik diş, komşu dişlere baskı yaparak ağrı ve hatta
dişlerde aşınmalara neden olabilir.
Orthodontic Reasons
In individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, the pressure
exerted by wisdom teeth can cause existing teeth to shift and
compromise the treatment.
Prosthetic Planning
The condition of wisdom teeth should be considered in patients
undergoing prosthetic procedures; if necessary, they should be
extracted to make the oral structure suitable for the
prosthesis.
Risk of Cysts and Tumors
Cysts may form around impacted wisdom teeth. These cysts can
cause bone destruction, jaw expansion, and damage to adjacent
teeth. If left untreated, they may develop into tumors or cause
jaw fractures.
