Tooth Extraction

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Tooth extraction

In oral and maxillofacial surgery, tooth extraction means removing the tooth from its seat in the bone, called the socket. Tooth extraction is used in cases where the tooth is severely damaged, has reached a level where it cannot be saved, is no longer functional, or generally disrupts the mouth and tooth structure. Although other dental treatment methods are prioritised before moving on to extraction, in some cases extraction emerges as the best alternative and is preferred by the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist.

If it is a simple tooth extraction, it is possible to have the tooth extracted directly under local anaesthesia. On the other hand, in some complicated extraction procedures, the tooth can be surgically extracted under local or general anaesthesia so that both the patient and the dentist are more comfortable. At this point, it is worth noting that the use of general anaesthesia in tooth extraction is quite rare, and it is observed that the procedure is mostly completed with local anaesthesia.

Tooth extraction can be performed in cases such as pathological findings in the bone, cyst or tumour formation, implant surgery or tissue preparation before a prosthesis. In some cases, the tooth that needs to be extracted may have to be divided into pieces before it can be extracted. In the surgical extraction procedure used in such cases, the tooth is divided during extraction and each piece is extracted one by one so that the surrounding tissues are exposed to less trauma. The treatment is completed after the remaining area has been completely cleaned.

Wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom teeth are the molars that erupt last, on both sides of the jaws. It is worth noting that wisdom teeth erupt differently in everyone. Racial and hereditary characteristics, general mouth structure and eating habits are the main factors that affect how a person’s wisdom teeth erupt. Of course, wisdom teeth may also remain impacted in the jaws. In such cases, oral and maxillofacial surgery intervention is required.

If the soft tissue around your impacted wisdom tooth has started to form unwanted tissue such as inflammation or a gum abscess, it means that surgical intervention on the wisdom tooth is required. Likewise, if a wisdom tooth that is partly impacted and partly erupted is prone to decay, or if, although impacted, it has started to press on the other teeth around it, you may again need impacted tooth surgery for the wisdom tooth.

During surgery for this impacted tooth, the position, size, angle and condition of the tooth in the bone are among the main factors affecting the course of the operation. Since wisdom tooth surgery is a complicated procedure that requires meticulousness, it is important that you work with experienced dentists for this job.

Impacted tooth extraction

Impacted teeth do not always have to be wisdom teeth. The teeth we refer to as impacted teeth are actually teeth that should have erupted in the mouth but could not erupt even though their time to erupt has come. Just as there are impacted teeth that may remain completely inside the jawbone, there may also be teeth that are in the right place but cannot be seen because they are covered with soft tissue. There are many factors that cause teeth to remain impacted. Some of these are: genetic factors, cystic or tumorous formations in the eruption path of the tooth, a genuine lack of space in the jaw, syndromes, past febrile illnesses and infections, lack of space caused by decay in baby teeth that was not treated in time, or neighbouring teeth shifting as a result of early loss of baby teeth.

Impacted tooth surgery is an operation that benefits the patient not only functionally and medically, but also aesthetically. However, before recommending any surgery for impacted teeth, it should be assessed whether there is an orthodontic treatment alternative. Impacted tooth surgery is the removal of the impacted tooth from the mouth either in one piece or divided into several pieces. After the operation, pain, swelling, bruising and sensitivity in the treated bone structures are quite normal. It is possible to say that when the operation is performed by a professional oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist, these side effects will be minimal and will disappear shortly after the operation.

Dental Implants

implant

What is an implant?

An implant is a material placed in the jawbone. The purpose of the implant is to fuse with the patient’s jaw a certain time after it is placed and to act as an artificial tooth root. An implant consists of three parts: first, the screw that is placed in the jawbone and acts as an artificial root; the connecting piece (abutment) placed on the end of the screw; and, at the top, the prosthesis that acts as the tooth.

How is an implant done?

Since most people who have implants do not research the answer to the question of how an implant is done before implant treatment, they are afraid of the treatment and hesitate to have it. However, people who receive detailed information about the treatment process and learn the steps of the implant treatment process by consulting an expert begin to approach the treatment much more calmly and positively.

Implant treatment consists of several stages: placing the implant in the jawbone, the osseointegration process and fitting the crown.

Stage 1: The first stage is placing the implant screw in place of the missing tooth. First, anaesthesia is applied to the mouth, and then the gum over the bone is opened to reach the jawbone. With the help of a special drill, the space where the implant screw will be placed is prepared. An implant whose diameter and length have been determined in advance is placed in this space, and the opened gum is closed. After the implant is placed, the second stage can begin. The duration of this procedure varies depending on the number of implants to be placed.

Stage 2: The second stage is called osseointegration. This concept means that the implant and the jawbone recognise each other and fuse, and, so to speak, that the jawbone “accepts” the implant. During this process, a temporary cap called a cover screw is placed on the implant. Throughout the process, it is very important to care for the teeth correctly, to be especially gentle with the implant area and to avoid blows or trauma. Once osseointegration is complete, the implant is ready for the crown to be placed on it.

Stage 3: The third and final stage is making the prosthesis on the implant screw or screws. Of course, this prosthesis, produced in a laboratory environment, will be designed entirely according to the patient’s mouth structure and the size of the missing tooth gap. The prosthesis to be made on the implant can be planned as removable or fixed. If it is planned as fixed, one crown is produced for single-tooth implants, and more than one for multiple implant treatments. Before the crown is fitted, a healing cap is placed to shape the gum, and then the part that will act as the abutment on which the prosthesis will sit is placed, and the prosthesis is made on it. With this, the implant treatment is completed.

What are the advantages of implants?

The benefits of implant treatment are considerable and numerous, especially when compared with alternative treatments for missing teeth. The most widely known and emphasised benefits of implant treatment are as follows:

  • Implants do not bring extra hassles such as putting in, taking out, replacing or cleaning, as with dentures.
  • From the moment it is placed, an implant tooth takes on a comprehensive role as part of the mouth.
  • Implants, which do not move in the mouth, create a comfortable feeling in the mouth.
  • Caring for implants is effortless and easy. All you need to do to keep them clean is to include them in the oral and dental care routines you apply to your other teeth.
  • Since it is designed to match the natural tooth structure exactly, an implant does not create any physical weight or discomfort for the patient.
  • Because it fills the gaps in the mouth, it increases the patient’s self-confidence and allows them to smile more confidently and happily.
  • An implant contributes significantly and positively not only to smiling, but also to the functions of speaking and eating.
  • When an implant will support the fixed prosthesis to be placed, there is no need for preparation, that is, reduction, of the teeth; so compared with the tooth-supported bridge option, we preserve the neighbouring tooth tissues.

What should be considered after implant treatment?

  • During treatment, while the implant is without a crown, that is, in stage 2 (the fusion period), no pressure should be applied to the area and it should not receive any blows.
  • After implant treatment is completed, oral and dental care should be done regularly, the teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and dental floss should be used.
  • The dentist’s instructions must be followed to the letter before, after and throughout the treatment.
  • It should not be forgotten that a properly cared-for implant will serve longer than a neglected one.
  • For a few days after the implant is placed, mostly liquid and soft foods should be consumed, and sticky or hard foods should be avoided.

What are the types of implants?

If we look at the materials used in implant treatment, it is possible to say that most implant screws are made of titanium. Titanium is one of the preferred metals used in most oral and dental treatments, especially because of its durability and quality. The crown to be placed on the implant screw, although it is mostly preferred as porcelain, can be made from different materials in special cases.

What are the implant brands?

With developing technologies, we can come across many implant brands today. Many countries can produce their own implants. However, if the implant is of poor quality, it can cause problems for the patient after it is placed. For this reason, implant brands should be researched well and the application should be carried out accordingly. Applying an implant of brand X just because it is cheap makes it highly likely to experience possible problems within 1–2 years. It is important to follow the advice of your dentist, who follows the studies carried out on this subject and will choose the materials accordingly. Our clinic is meticulous in this regard and selects implant brands based on scientific data.

Implant prices

According to the law, we cannot give prices on our website. However, dear patients, when researching prices, please pay attention to the following points.

  • Is the price given to you the price of the implant screw only, or does it include the crown?
  • Are the dentist’s fee, X-ray fee, etc. included in the price?
  • We recommend that you learn the exact name of the brand, not just the name of the country.
  • Be sure to research the dentist’s experience in implant treatment.

Jaw Joint (TMJ) Treatment

Çene Eklemi Tedavisi

Jaw joint disorders are more common oral and dental problems than is generally thought. Jaw joint diseases, also known as TMJ dysfunction, that is, temporomandibular joint disorder, can be seen and treated in millions of people every year. Although it is a common type of disease, incomplete information, misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment or misguided referrals in jaw joint treatment are also quite common. That being so, finding an expert dentist and a jaw joint specialist who has specialised in the field, and being able to trust them, is becoming increasingly important. In our article you can find the answers to questions such as what jaw joint disorders are, what the symptoms of jaw joint disorder are, what causes jaw joint problems and how jaw joint treatment is done.

What is jaw joint disorder?

Jaw joint disorder or jaw joint discomfort is commonly known as TMJ dysfunction. TMJ dysfunction refers to all disorders that occur in the joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull. To better understand the position and function of the jaw joint, you can imagine the jaw joint as a kind of hinge between the jaw and the skull. The jaw joint is responsible for the jaw opening and closing properly and performing its basic functions. If a person complains of a jaw joint problem, they are most likely dealing with a damaged temporomandibular joint that causes a lot of pain. Another important point here is that every person has two temporomandibular joints. Each joint is located on one of the two sides of the jaw, right and left. In people with jaw joint disorder, the pain usually starts on one side but also affects the other side and requires advanced treatment.

Why do jaw joint disorders occur?

Now let us come to the causes of jaw joint disorders. Jaw joint discomfort or TMJ can occur for many different reasons. At this point, correctly identifying the cause of the jaw joint problem is critically important for the course of the treatment. The jaw joint specialist you visit is likely to offer you one of the following as the cause of the jaw joint disorder:

  • Blows, injuries or trauma to the jaw or teeth
  • Teeth clenching and grinding
  • Bad habits such as lip biting and nail biting
  • Excessive chewing gum habits
  • Hereditary factors
  • Different types of arthritis
  • Erosion or displacement of the disc between the jaw joint and the skull
  • Stress, and stress-related teeth grinding

It is worth stating again that correctly identifying the main cause of jaw joint disorder and making the diagnosis plays a major role in being successful at the treatment stage.

What are the symptoms of jaw joint disorder?

If you have a jaw joint problem, you are most likely already going through a period of painful and aching symptoms. However, the most common symptoms of jaw joint disorders can be listed as follows:

  • The jaw shifting sideways when opening
  • Excessive tenderness and sensitivity in the jaw area
  • Tense jaw muscles
  • Jaw pain
  • Facial pain
  • Ear pain
  • A feeling of tightness around the face
  • Pain in the eyes
  • Being unable to squeeze the eyes shut, or pain when doing so
  • Chewing difficulties and problems
  • Jaw locking
  • A clicking-like sound when the mouth opens and closes (click sound)
  • A visible protrusion at the jaw joint
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Headaches that turn into migraines

How is jaw joint treatment done?

After listening to your jaw joint complaints one by one and examining your jaw thoroughly, if the dentist concludes that the problem is temporary, they may recommend one of the following treatment alternatives:

  • Avoiding harmful habits that cause jaw joint pain, such as nail biting, chewing foreign objects or excessive chewing gum
  • Giving up teeth grinding and clenching habits
  • Painkiller treatment
  • Applying a hot or cold compress to the painful area
  • Acupuncture treatment
  • Not yawning with the mouth opened too wide
  • Not speaking loudly or singing, and avoiding movements that tire the jaw in this way
  • Switching to softer foods or avoiding hard-to-chew, hard and sticky foods.

If the jaw joint disorder in question is permanent and requires more medical intervention, one of the following methods may also be used.

Use of a jaw joint splint: Following a jaw joint disorder that can be identified after a detailed examination and, if necessary, tests using auxiliary imaging methods, the dentist may recommend the use of a jaw joint splint. A jaw joint splint is a transparent appliance that can be applied to the lower or upper jaw and is designed to be positioned between the teeth. The aim is to stabilise the closure of the teeth by keeping the jaw joint in the correct position. This splint is removable and is used to correct jaw joint disorders caused by an incorrect bite. In some cases the jaw joint splint is used only at night, while in others its use for 24 hours may be recommended. Of course, this depends on the complexity of the jaw joint disorder. Even during 24-hour use, the patient can of course remove the jaw joint splint while eating or brushing their teeth.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy is also a frequently used method in the treatment of jaw joint disorders. Physical therapy, which includes jaw, mouth and face exercises, also provides pain management in the area with hot and cold compress applications. When this treatment method is applied, both the jaw joint specialist and the physical therapy specialist should work in a coordinated way and find common ground so that the patient achieves the best result. The treatment plan varies according to the structure of the jaw, the nature of the jaw joint disorder in question and the individual effort shown by the patient.

Jaw joint surgery: Surgical intervention may sometimes be necessary in jaw joint disorders. In such cases, jaw joint surgery is used. Jaw joint surgery is used for jaw joint problems that are at the most complicated level and that are certain not to respond to other treatment methods. Procedures such as open joint surgery, condylectomy and arthroscopy are some of the procedures that can be performed during jaw joint surgery.

Injection treatment: In jaw joint disorders, injection treatment is a treatment method used especially for treating symptoms and pain. Although it is not as common a treatment method as the use of appliances, splints or physical therapy, it has emerged as a method that works in some specific cases.