Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is defined as the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical, and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving the functional and esthetic aspects of the bone and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. These include complex tooth removal, surgical removal of wisdom teeth and impacted teeth, dental implants and related bone grafts, sinus lift surgery, temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) treatment, cleft lip palate, facial trauma or fracture, and orthopedic surgery of the jaw bone. In addition, they will also do biopsy and removal for jaw bone cysts, oral tumors, and tissue hyperplasia.
Oral Biopsy & Cyst Removal
An oral biopsy is usually indicated to diagnose causes of abnormal tissue growth in the mouth. A tissue sample is extracted and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Although they are may not be harmful, cysts are usually removed surgically as they can weaken or damage surrounding tissue and bone when expanded, or affect the position of surrounding teeth.
Who is at risk?
In general, you should take note of any changes occurring in the teeth, skin of the gums, the skin on the inside of the cheek, tongue, or the floor or roof of the mouth, or any swelling in the bony areas of the mouth or face. Dental cysts can form at the tip of the roots of dead teeth. They can also form around the crowns and roots of buried teeth.
If you note any irregular skin patches or growths of any kind, it is advisable to seek consultation with your dental specialist/ dentist. Any teeth can develop dental cysts. Although most people will only have one at a time, some people are more susceptible to developing them because of the condition of their teeth or (rarely) because of an inherited condition.
While the large majority of such growths are benign (not cancerous), it is very important to determine this with a laboratory test. Furthermore, benign growths may also require treatment, removal or monitoring.
People who smoke, have excessive alcohol consumption, undergo excessive unprotected exposure to sun, have low intake of fruits and vegetables or chew on betel nuts should be mindful of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer.
