Many people think of a general dentist anytime they experience dental or oral issues. However, certain conditions require the services of a maxillofacial surgeon. Maxillofacial surgery, also known as oral surgery, corrects facial structure and jaw diseases and abnormalities. But how will you know if you are an ideal candidate for maxillofacial surgery?
Jaw Misalignment or Pain
Overbite, underbite, or misaligned teeth are some of the signs of a misaligned jaw. You can also experience pain around the jaw joints, making it challenging to sleep or eat. While jaw misalignment can be corrected by orthodontic appliances such as braces, oral surgery may be required at some point. The main aim of jaw surgery involves relocating or facilitating jaw alignment. This also helps to balance the mouth movements.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint facilitates most of your mouth functions. Every time you talk, eat or open your mouth, the joint moves. When you have temporomandibular joint disorders, you can experience pain, headaches, and jaw stiffness. Though physical therapy has proven effective in correcting this disorder, maxillofacial surgery might be the only option in some cases.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth tend to grow at odd angles. The wisdom teeth don't have space to grow because the existing teeth occupy all the spaces. And because they must erupt, they grow from different angles. Besides, these teeth are hard to clean and are more susceptible to infections. In this case, wisdom teeth must be removed to prevent more serious oral disease.
Sleep Apnea
Do you snore loudly or experience breathing difficulties during sleep? Chances are, you are suffering from sleep apnea. In most cases, sleep apnea occurs as a result of misaligned jaws. When the jaws are misaligned, the breathing path becomes obstructed. The oral surgeon may perform jaw surgery to reverse the effect of this condition.
Dental Blog - Lakewood, CO • Northstar Dental The doctors at Northstar Dental have provided this informative dental blog to provide education and information for the Lakewood and great Denver Colorado community. Click to view the latest posts. Northstar Dental, 860 Tabor St, Ste 100, Lakewood, CO 80401 / (303) 481-3901 / northstardentalco.com / 12/2/2024 / Related Phrases: dentist Lakewood CO /