Practically everyone knows that wisdom teeth removal is a rite of passage. Similarly, the various forms of tooth replacements are common knowledge. But what about the more unusual oral surgeries?
Dental surgeons perform dental procedures on a daily basis. While plenty of those are the more familiar ones, there are just as many that are relatively unknown. Uncommon dental surgeries are also more complex. What sorts of surgeries are practically unheard of? Let’s take a look.
Maxillofacial Distraction Osteogenesis
Try saying this 10 times fast. Maxillofacial Distraction Osteogenesis (MDO) is an oral procedure that aims to regenerate new bone and surrounding soft tissues. Patients who need an MDO present with significant skeletal deficiencies in the jaw and face. This oral surgery uses controlled, mechanical stress to fix the deficiencies.
There are four main phases to the process:
- Osteotomy – The mouth procedure begins, and the dental surgeon precisely cuts through the bone that needs lengthened. A mechanical device, called a distractor, securely holds the cut bone together.
- Latency – For the next 5-7 days, the distractor remains turned off. During this period, the body’s natural healing process begins. A blood clot forms between the two pieces of cut bone, which starts new tissue formation.
- Distraction – The patient activates their distractor device daily. When the device activates, the two bone segments are slowly pulled apart. Each day, the device is advanced in tiny increments. During this phase, soft tissues are similarly stretched and lengthened.
- Consolidation – Once the desired length is achieved, the patient no longer activates the distractor. It remains in place for many weeks. Over this period, new tissue starts to mineralize and harden. The end result is strong, cortical bone. Once the newly formed bone is sturdy enough to support itself, the distractor is surgically removed.
Replacement of the Temporomandibular Joint
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an essential part of the human body. It’s the joint where the lower jaw meets the skull. Interestingly, it’s the only joint where the left and right sides must work together in near-perfect harmony. The TMJ is responsible for basic human functions, such as chewing, speaking, swallowing, and supporting certain facial expressions.
Total TMJ replacement is a dental operation for end-stage TMJ disorders. This mouth surgery is performed when other surgeries fail to address a patient’s issues. Total TMJ replacement involves creating a custom-made prosthetic that replaces the natural joint.
This dental procedure is invasive. It requires a skilled maxillofacial surgeon and general anesthesia. Using advanced imaging technology, surgeons create precise 3D models of a patient’s unique anatomy. These 3D models are then used to create a custom prosthetic TMJ.
During the mouth surgery, an oral surgeon creates incisions in front of the ears. This gives them direct access to the TMJ. They then remove diseased and damaged parts of the natural joint. The area is carefully cleaned and prepped for the prosthetic. Using screws, the prosthetic TMJ is secured to the bone. The surgeon takes grafted fat tissue from the patient’s own supply and pads the operating area with it. The use of fat tissue here prevents both scarring after the oral procedure and excessive bone growth.
Craniofacial Surgery for Uncommon Facial Clefts
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that most people know about. What’s more uncommon, however, are Tessier clefts. Tessier clefts are unique in that they affect nearly any part of the face and skull. Using a numbering system (0-14), specialists describe the cleft’s anatomical location. Tessier clefts cause a number of functional issues, such as:
- Extreme widening of the eyes
- Problems with vision
- Blocked tear ducts
- Extreme widening of the mouth
- Ear/hearing problems
Similar to cleft lip and palate oral surgeries, Tessier clefts are rarely treated in a single operation. They require multiple surgeries over a patient’s adolescence. Depending on where the Tessier cleft is located, the procedures change drastically. While there is a cosmetic element to these oral operations, they also allow the patient to lead a relatively normal life.
There is a plethora of unique dental procedures that are almost unheard of. Dental surgical specialists deal with common operations more often than not, but they’re likely to encounter their fair share of special cases throughout their careers, too.
