The oral cavity is an important part of the body, just as the digestive system, the bones, or the nervous system. Every part of the body is crucial in maintaining homeostasis or balance within the systems. When one of the vital parts of the body doesn’t work well, it affects the totality of one’s health.
For instance, the oral cavity and the jaw work together to help in digestion and speech. When certain oral conditions affect this area, other parts of the body will be negatively affected. In some cases, maxillofacial surgery in Kokomo, Indiana will be needed. There are many questions about maxillofacial surgery, and here are the important things to know about the procedure.
What is Maxillofacial Surgery?
Maxillofacial surgery is a procedure that involves several surgical techniques done on the mouth and other maxillofacial regions, such as the face, jaw, and neck. The surgeon performs these procedures for either aesthetic or medical purposes.
One of the most common procedures performed is the replacement of teeth, particularly due to an illness or trauma. In some cases, people who have mouth illness, such as a cyst or tumor, may need this type of surgery to reduce the spread of the tumor cells or fix the damage the tumor has done on the mouth or jaw area.
What Do Maxillofacial Surgeons Do?
Maxillofacial surgeons perform the procedures on the facial area, particularly in the oral cavity and jaw. They are experts when it comes to tooth extractions and injury repair, particularly when an accident causes injury. The most common procedure oral surgeons perform is tooth extraction. In worse cases, an impacted wisdom tooth may also warrant oral surgery.
What is the Purpose of This Surgery?
A maxillofacial surgery has many purposes, including the correction of a facial deformity. In some patients who have traumatic injuries or congenital disabilities, undergoing oral or jaw surgery is important to repair parts of the face and oral cavity that have been disfigured.
The surgery is also needed in patients with cancer. The doctor would face the removal of tumors in parts of the oral cavity, face, and in some cases, the neck. Further, maxillofacial surgery is required for oral medicine, trauma surgery, and cosmetic surgery.
How Long is the Recovery?
The recovery period after a maxillofacial surgery depends on the extent of the surgery, the severity of the condition, and the part of the face or neck involved. For instance, jaw surgery may take about six weeks to recover. However, in some cases, a full recovery may take up to 12 weeks.
Tooth extraction may need lesser time to recover. The dentist or oral surgeon may recommend a recovery time of about three days to two weeks, depending on the procedure performed.
Maxillofacial surgery involves many procedures, depending on the location of the injury or illness. Make sure to get a surgeon who is trained to perform these procedures to prevent any untoward complication. This way, you are sure that the procedure will go well and there won’t be any negative effect on your health.
