Oral Surgery

The most common form of oral surgery that a Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon (MFOS) conducts is wisdom teeth removal.

ABOUT PROCEDURE

Oral surgery heavily impacts dentistry and orthodontics, and this is a consideration that Dr Beukes takes into account with every patient.

The most well-known form of oral surgery is the removal of wisdom teeth. Other common surgical procedures performed to correct issues with the gums, teeth, jawbone, and other soft and bony tissues located in the mouth include surgical extractions and the exposure of unerupted teeth.

OPERATION INFORMATION

Hospitalisation	1 day (no overnight stay) for removal of wisdom teeth
Anesthesia	General or local, depending on the extent of treatment required
Duration	60-90 minutes for the removal of wisdom teeth (If done in a day clinic, the process takes half a day)
Recovery Period	1 week
Stich Removal	None required (in most cases)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are examples of a maxillofacial trauma (injury to the mouth, face and jaw)?

Common injuries include broken jaws and fractured cheekbones, and double vision (diplopia) after a trauma to the head. Examples of how maxillofacial trauma can occur include sports accidents, motor vehicle accidents, injury on duty, and assault.
Can a broken jaw or cheekbone heal without surgery?

There are specific occasions when no treatment is required, but it is best to consult with an OMS to find out, because such fractures are not always initially associated with functional deficits and, therefore, can often be wrongly overlooked. If they are not recognised and treated in a timely manner by a facial trauma specialist, cheekbone fractures can lead to undesirable cosmetic and functional outcomes at a later stage. For example, fractures of any bones in the jaw will alter the way your mouth opens and closes; whereas treatment can prevent infections, dental decay and long-term conditions such as arthritis.
How do I know if I have a cheekbone fracture?

After experiencing any significant trauma to the face, it is strongly advised to have an OMS evaluate the damage immediately, as the treatment depends on how badly the bone is broken. If there is significant swelling of the face, certain changes may not be apparent for several weeks, but changes in the appearance of the cheek include the side of the face looking pushed in or the lower part of the eye socket appearing depressed. You may also experience pain while chewing or an inability to fully open the mouth.
How do I know if I have a broken or dislocated jaw?

After experiencing any significant trauma to the face, it is strongly advised to have an OMS evaluate the damage immediately, as the treatment depends on how badly the bone is broken. Signs of a broken jaw include facial bruising, swelling or numbness, jaw stiffness, tenderness or pain that worsens with biting and chewing, a bleeding mouth, and damaged or loose teeth. Signs of a dislocated jaw include difficulty speaking, inability to close your mouth, and misaligned bite or teeth, or a protruding jaw.