Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery İstanbul

Scientific editor: Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Multidisciplinary editor: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Oğuz Öztoprak – Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Last updated: 23 July 2026

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the teeth, the soft tissues inside the mouth, the jaw bones, the jaw joints and the jaw region of the face.

This field is not limited to tooth extraction or implant placement. Impacted teeth, jaw cysts, intraoral lesions, bone deficiencies, jaw joint disorders, jaw fractures and skeletal jaw disorders are also among the working areas of this branch. In international oral and maxillofacial surgery sources, dentoalveolar surgery, implant surgery, the diagnosis and treatment of pathological formations, reconstructive procedures, orthognathic surgery, trauma and temporomandibular joint treatments are among the core topics of the specialty.

Not every surgical procedure has the same scope. While a simple tooth extraction can be completed in a short time under local anaesthesia, advanced bone grafting, jaw joint surgery, jaw fracture or orthognathic surgery can be planned in hospital conditions and with the participation of different specialties.

The decision for surgical treatment should not be made on imaging results alone. The patient’s medical conditions, medications, bleeding risk, bone and gum status, nerve and sinus anatomy, smoking, previous treatments and expectations should be evaluated together.

At Dentapolitan, surgical evaluation is carried out through the coordination of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the relevant dentist and, when needed, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, endodontics, ear-nose-throat, radiology or anaesthesia teams.

Which treatments does Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery cover?

The main procedures evaluated in this specialty are:

• Simple and surgical tooth extractions
• Treatment of impacted and semi-impacted wisdom teeth
• Surgical exposure of impacted canines and other teeth
• Pre-orthodontic surgical procedures
• Dental implant applications
• Bone grafting and bone augmentation procedures
• Sinus floor elevation
• Jaw bone cysts
• Intraoral biopsies
• Evaluation of potentially benign or malignant lesions
• Abscess drainage and surgical infection treatments
• Apicoectomy (apical resection)
• Oroantral communication and fistula treatment
• Jaw joint arthrocentesis
• Minimally invasive jaw joint procedures
• Selected jaw joint surgeries
• Jaw fractures and facial trauma
• Orthognathic surgery
• Jaw bone reconstruction
• Pre-prosthetic surgery
• Evaluation of medication-related jaw bone necrosis

Which of these the patient needs is determined after clinical examination and appropriate imaging.

What is dentoalveolar surgery?

Dentoalveolar surgery covers surgical procedures related to the teeth and the jaw bone surrounding the teeth.

This group may include tooth extraction, impacted tooth surgery, root-end surgery, infection drainage, cyst treatment and pre-prosthetic bone corrections.

Dentoalveolar surgery is one of the most frequently applied areas of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

What is the difference between a simple and a surgical tooth extraction?

Simple tooth extraction: If the tooth is sufficiently visible in the mouth and can be grasped with suitable instruments, a simple extraction can usually be done.

Surgical tooth extraction: A surgical approach may be needed in the following situations:

• If the tooth is fully or partly impacted in bone
• If it has fractured below the gum
• If the roots are very curved or divergent
• If the tooth is ankylosed
• If a root fragment has remained in the bone
• If there is a cyst or infection around it
• If it is closely related to an adjacent nerve or sinus

In a surgical extraction, the gum can be lifted in a controlled way, a limited amount of bone can be removed and the tooth can be divided into several pieces to be taken out. “Surgical extraction” does not mean the procedure is necessarily difficult or dangerous. However, it can have different risk and healing characteristics compared with a simple extraction.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

When a wisdom tooth cannot find enough space to erupt in the mouth, it can remain fully or partly under the jaw bone or the gum. This condition is called an impacted or semi-impacted tooth.

An impacted tooth can be positioned vertically, horizontally, tilted forward, tilted backward or towards the cheek or tongue side. A tooth being impacted alone does not necessarily mean it must be extracted.

Should every impacted wisdom tooth be extracted?

No. Impacted wisdom teeth that show no signs of disease and do not harm the surrounding tissues can be monitored regularly.

The NICE guideline does not recommend the routine prophylactic removal of impacted wisdom teeth without pathology. The surgical decision should be based on clinical findings such as decay, abscess, recurrent infection, cyst, damage to the adjacent tooth, root resorption or obstruction of another surgery.

Nevertheless, the decision is not the same for every patient. The patient’s age, the position of the tooth, its cleanability, its relationship with the adjacent tooth and its future follow-up status should be evaluated.

In which situations can a wisdom tooth be extracted?

Extraction can be considered in the following situations:

• Recurrent pericoronitis
• Untreatable decay in the tooth
• Decay or bone loss in the adjacent second molar
• Abscess
• Suspicion of cyst or tumour
• Root resorption in the tooth or the adjacent tooth
• Untreatable pulp or root-end disease
• Being in the field of orthognathic or reconstructive surgery
• Recurrent pain and swelling
• The tooth obstructing prosthetic or other surgical treatments

A first and mild attack of pericoronitis may not always require extraction. In recurrent or severe infections, extraction is considered more strongly.

Is a wisdom tooth extracted only if it causes pain?

No. Some impacted teeth can, without causing pain, create decay in the adjacent tooth, root resorption, periodontal bone loss or cystic change. Therefore, the absence of symptoms does not mean the tooth is definitely healthy. Likewise, merely appearing impacted is not sufficient for surgery.

Which imaging is done before wisdom tooth extraction?

Panoramic radiography is mostly used in the first evaluation.

If the roots of the lower wisdom tooth appear close to the lower jaw nerve, cone-beam computed tomography may be needed. Three-dimensional imaging can help evaluate the relationship between the tooth roots and the nerve canal in more detail.

Tomography is not required for every impacted tooth. Imaging should be selected according to clinical need without creating unnecessary radiation.

Why is the lower jaw nerve important?

The roots of the lower wisdom teeth can be close to the inferior alveolar nerve, which provides sensation to the lower lip and chin region. On the tongue side there is the lingual nerve, which contributes to the sensation of the tongue and partly to taste.

During surgery these nerves can be stretched, injured or, rarely, permanently damaged. As a result, numbness in the lower lip, a change of sensation in the chin, numbness in the tongue, tingling, burning or pain, and a change in taste can occur.

The risk varies from person to person according to the tooth’s position and its relationship with the nerve. Most nerve involvement is temporary, although it can rarely be permanent.

What is coronectomy?

Coronectomy is the removal of only the crown part of a lower wisdom tooth that is very close to the nerve, while the healthy roots are left in place. The aim is to reduce the risk of loss of sensation that may occur because of the close relationship of the roots with the nerve.

Coronectomy cannot be applied to every patient. It may not be suitable in the following situations: infection in the roots, loss of tooth vitality, mobile roots, cyst or other pathological formation, or the roots being unsafe to leave.

The left roots can move over time, become infected or need to be removed later. The procedure can reduce the risk of nerve damage but does not completely eliminate it.

Impacted canine treatment

Canine teeth can sometimes remain impacted within the jaw bone. Treatment options can be monitoring, extraction of the impacted tooth, extraction of the milk tooth, surgical exposure of the tooth, bonding of an orthodontic attachment and the controlled eruption of the tooth into the mouth.

Especially in young patients, instead of extracting the impacted canine, if it is in a suitable position, bringing the tooth into the mouth through surgical–orthodontic cooperation can be considered. Surgical exposure of impacted teeth and their orthodontic guidance are among the dentoalveolar applications of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The treatment decision is made according to the tooth’s position, root development, relationship with the adjacent teeth, anchorage need, the patient’s age and the orthodontic treatment plan.

Dental implant surgery

A dental implant is an artificial root structure placed in the jaw bone in the area of the missing tooth to support the prosthesis to be made on it. Implant treatment does not consist only of placing the implant screw into the bone.

In planning, the missing-tooth area, bone volume, bone quality, gum thickness, nerve and sinus anatomy, bite forces, adjacent teeth, the patient’s general health and the prosthesis to be made are evaluated together.

The ideal position of the implant is not merely where the existing bone is thickest, but the position where the planned prosthesis can be made in a functional and cleanable way.

Can an implant be applied to every patient?

Implant treatment can be applied to many patients; however, suitability requires individual evaluation. Situations that may create risk:

• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Active periodontal disease
• Insufficient oral hygiene
• Heavy smoking
• Advanced bone deficiency
• Active infection
• Some immune system diseases
• History of radiotherapy to the head and neck region
• Medications affecting bone metabolism
• Severe bruxism
• Incomplete growth

Some of these situations do not completely prevent an implant; however, they can change the treatment plan and the complication risk.

Is implant surgery painful?

While the implant is being placed, the surgical area is mostly numbed with local anaesthesia. The patient may feel pressure, vibration or movement rather than pain. After the procedure, sensitivity, swelling, mild bleeding and chewing difficulty can occur. The pain level varies according to the number of implants, bone grafting, sinus lifting and the scope of the surgery. Definite promises such as “painless implant” or “no swelling at all” should not be used.

Can an implant be done on the same day?

In some suitable patients, an implant can be placed in the same session as the tooth extraction. However, for an immediate implant, it is evaluated whether the infection can be controlled, whether there is enough bone, whether the initial stability of the implant can be achieved, the soft-tissue conditions, the aesthetic risk, the patient’s systemic status and the temporary prosthesis to be made. An implant done on the same day does not mean a permanent tooth will be placed on the same day.

Can a tooth be made on the implant on the same day?

In selected cases, a temporary prosthesis can be applied on the implant on the same day. This can be called immediate loading or an early temporary prosthesis approach. This requires sufficient initial stability, suitable bone, controlled bite, the patient’s compliance with treatment and the evaluation of bruxism risk. The permanent prosthesis is mostly prepared after the implant’s integration with the bone and the shaping of the soft tissue.

Bone grafting and bone powder application

If there is not enough bone in the area where the implant will be placed, grafting can be applied to increase the volume of the bone. The materials that can be used may be the patient’s own bone, processed human-derived graft, processed animal-derived graft, synthetic graft material or combinations of these materials.

The expression “bone powder” covers many materials with different biological properties. The type, source and indication of the product to be used should be explained to the patient.

Is a graft needed for every bone deficiency?

No. In some situations, a shorter implant, a narrower implant, changing the position of the implant, changing the prosthesis plan, a different implant placement, or a bridge or another treatment instead of an implant can be considered. The aim is not to add as much bone as possible, but to plan a safe, functional and cleanable treatment.

How long does a bone graft take to heal?

The healing time varies according to the size of the defect, the graft material, the use of the patient’s own bone, whether the area is in the upper or lower jaw, smoking and the patient’s general health. Small grafts can be done in the same session as the implant, while large reconstructions may require a separate healing period before the implant. A fixed period of “3 months” or “6 months” should not be given to all patients.

What is sinus lifting?

After tooth loss in the upper back region, the bone height can decrease and the floor of the maxillary sinus can be close to the area where the implant will be placed. Sinus lifting is the controlled raising of the sinus membrane and the application of a bone graft to the required area. There are two main approaches:

Closed sinus lifting: If the remaining bone height is sufficient, a limited elevation can be done through the implant socket.

Open sinus lifting: If the bone height is more limited, wider grafting can be done by opening a window from the lateral wall of the sinus.

The risks of sinus lifting can include tearing of the sinus membrane, infection, sinusitis, graft loss, failure of the implant to integrate, bleeding and nasal or sinus complaints. In patients with active sinusitis, nasal congestion or sinus pathology, an ear-nose-throat evaluation may be needed.

Jaw cysts

Jaw cysts are pathological cavities that can be filled with fluid or semi-solid content. Cysts can be related to impacted teeth, infected teeth, tooth-development tissues or the other cellular structures of the jaw bone.

Some cysts may not give symptoms for a long time. When they grow, they can create swelling, pain, displacement of the teeth, root resorption, bone thinning, infection and an increased risk of jaw fracture.

Is every lesion seen on X-ray a cyst?

No. Dark or light areas seen in the jaw bone can be a cyst, tumour, infection, a normal anatomical cavity or a lesion related to bone metabolism. For a definitive diagnosis, clinical examination, imaging and, when needed, pathological examination with biopsy are required.

How is cyst treatment done?

Treatment options can be monitoring, endodontic treatment, enucleation, marsupialization, decompression, surgical removal of the lesion, preservation or extraction of the related tooth and bone reconstruction. The treatment is determined according to the type and size of the lesion, its relationship with anatomical structures and the pathology result. Sending the removed tissue for pathological examination is important for confirming the diagnosis.

Intraoral biopsy

Taking a tissue sample from lesions in the mouth that have not healed for a long time or that look suspicious is called a biopsy. A biopsy can be considered in the following situations:

• A wound lasting longer than two weeks
• An unexplained white or red area
• Hardness
• A rapidly growing swelling
• A lesion that bleeds easily
• A tissue change occurring together with numbness
• An unexplained radiological image in the bone
• A recurrent or atypical mass

Having a biopsy does not mean the lesion is necessarily cancer. The aim is to make the correct diagnosis by evaluating the tissue under the microscope.

When should mouth wounds be evaluated?

Many trauma-related mouth wounds can heal in a short time. However, examination is recommended without delay if there is a wound lasting longer than two weeks, a progressively growing lesion, a hard and irregular edge, swelling in the neck, unexplained bleeding, difficulty swallowing, one-sided numbness or unexplained weight loss. Early evaluation is important for ruling out serious diseases.

What is apicoectomy (apical resection)?

Apicoectomy is the surgical access to the root end in selected infections that continue at the root end despite root canal treatment. During the procedure, infected tissue can be cleaned, a part of the root end can be removed, a retrograde filling can be placed at the root end and the removed tissue can be sent for pathological examination.

Not every root-end infection requires surgery. First, the renewal of the root canal treatment, the restorative status of the tooth, root fracture, periodontal support and the long-term preservability of the tooth should be evaluated. In a tooth with a fractured root or one that cannot be restored, apicoectomy may not be suitable.

Oral and jaw infections

Tooth-related infections are sometimes not limited to the area around the tooth; they can spread to the face, under the jaw, the neck or deep tissue spaces. Symptoms that may require emergency evaluation:

• Rapidly increasing facial swelling
• Fever
• Weakness
• Marked limitation in opening the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling under the tongue or in the neck
• Infection spreading around the eye
• Swelling in an immunosuppressed patient

Antibiotics alone are not the definitive treatment of every abscess. Treatment of the infection source, root canal treatment, tooth extraction or drainage of the abscess may be needed. If there is difficulty breathing or swallowing, the situation may require emergency hospital evaluation.

Jaw joint surgery

The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Most jaw joint problems are not treated directly with surgery. In the first step, patient education, soft diet, medication treatments, physical therapy, exercise, a stabilization splint, bruxism and sleep evaluation, bite and orthodontic evaluation, and injections can be considered.

Surgical or minimally invasive procedures can be considered in situations such as internal joint disorder, limitation of movement, locking, degenerative change or a lack of response to conservative treatment. In AAOMS’s current clinical documents, temporomandibular disorders are stated to be one of the important clinical areas within the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

What is jaw joint arthrocentesis?

Arthrocentesis is the washing of the joint by entering the joint space through needles. The aim can be the removal of inflammatory substances, the reduction of adhesions within the joint, the increase of movement and the reduction of pain. After the procedure, different agents can be applied into the joint according to clinical need.

Arthrocentesis is not necessary in every jaw joint pain. Muscle-origin pain, neuropathic pain, head-neck problems and different causes must be distinguished.

What is closed jaw joint surgery?

In selected patients where standard arthrocentesis is not sufficient, where the joint movement cannot be opened or where the adjustment of the disc position with closed methods is planned, minimally invasive procedures can be applied.

These procedures are not the same as standard arthrocentesis, are not open jaw joint surgery, should not be called “arthroscopic surgery” if an arthroscope is not used, and are not applied to every joint patient. Scientifically more accurate expressions in this area can be minimally invasive closed jaw joint surgery, closed TMJ disc repositioning and closed disc repositioning procedure.

This procedure should be positioned as a separate treatment step in selected cases where classical arthrocentesis is insufficient. The scope of the procedure, the technique used, its indications and its scientific limits should be clearly explained to the patient.

Does jaw joint surgery provide a definitive solution?

No. The outcome of joint surgery depends on the type of disease, the disc and bone status, the muscle and bite relationships, the patient’s compliance with rehabilitation, bruxism and head-neck and systemic factors. Surgery can reduce pain and movement limitation in selected patients; however, a guarantee of completely restoring the joint to its former state or definitively ending complaints in all patients cannot be given.

What is orthognathic surgery?

Orthognathic surgery refers to jaw operations performed to correct the skeletal position of the upper jaw, lower jaw or chin. It can be considered in the following situations:

• The lower jaw being forward
• The lower jaw being back
• The upper jaw being back or forward
• Open bite
• Marked facial asymmetry
• Jaw shift
• Chewing disorder
• Speech being affected
• The lips not closing comfortably
• Selected airway and sleep problems
• Skeletal disorders that cannot be corrected by orthodontics alone

In AAOMS’s current clinical sources, the surgical correction of skeletal jaw deformities is included as one of the core sections of the specialty.

Is orthognathic surgery only for aesthetic purposes?

No. Although the facial appearance can change, the main aims of the surgery can include the regulation of chewing, ensuring the correct closure of the teeth, improving jaw function, reducing facial asymmetry, supporting lip closure and, in selected patients, regulating the airway. Aesthetic appearance is an important part of the functional plan; however, it is not the only goal.

Is orthodontics needed before orthognathic surgery?

Most patients require orthodontic treatment before or after surgery. With orthodontics, the teeth are brought to the correct position on the jaw bones, tooth inclinations are adjusted, a suitable bite is prepared for the surgical movement and the closure details are completed after surgery. In some patients a “surgery first” protocol can be considered; however, this approach requires careful case selection and advanced team coordination.

What are the risks of orthognathic surgery?

Possible risks can be bleeding, infection, swelling, nerve involvement, numbness in the lip and chin, change in the bite, plate or screw problems, relapse, jaw joint complaints, nasal and sinus changes, the need for a second surgery and anaesthesia-related risks. The risks should be personalized according to the surgery to be performed and the patient’s condition.

Jaw fractures and facial trauma

Jaw fractures can occur as a result of traffic accidents, falls, sports injuries, violence, work accidents or pathologically weakened bone. Symptoms can be a sudden change in the closure of the teeth, deformity in the jaw, difficulty opening the mouth, numbness in the lower lip, intraoral bleeding, mobility of the teeth, facial asymmetry and chewing difficulty.

Treatment can be monitoring, soft diet, adjusting the jaw relationship with elastics, closed reduction, and open surgical fixation with plates and screws. Difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled bleeding or serious facial trauma requires emergency hospital evaluation.

Medication-related jaw bone necrosis

Some bone metabolism and cancer treatment medications can affect the healing of the jaw bone. In particular, bisphosphonates, denosumab, some anti-angiogenic medications and some oncological treatments should be questioned.

Not every patient using these medications develops jaw bone necrosis. The risk varies according to the type of medication, its dose, the duration of use, whether it is applied orally or intravenously, whether the patient is receiving cancer or osteoporosis treatment, oral hygiene and the scope of the surgical procedure.

The patient should not stop the medication on their own decision. Treatment should be planned in coordination with the doctor who prescribed the medication. All medications used before an implant or tooth extraction must be reported completely.

Preoperative evaluation

Before oral surgery, systemic diseases, allergies, medications used, blood thinners, diabetes, heart diseases, kidney and liver diseases, immune system problems, history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, bone-loss medications, pregnancy, smoking, alcohol and substance use, and previous anaesthesia experiences should be questioned. If necessary, blood tests, doctor consultation or treatment in hospital conditions can be planned.

Are blood thinners stopped before surgery?

The patient should not stop the blood thinner on their own decision. Stopping the medication can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack or vascular occlusion. The bleeding risk of the surgical procedure, the medication used and the patient’s diseases should be evaluated, and coordination should be made with the doctor who prescribed the medication. Some minor surgical procedures can be performed with local bleeding control without stopping the medication.

Is diabetes an obstacle to surgery?

Controlled diabetes is not an absolute obstacle for most oral surgery procedures. However, uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of infection, delayed wound healing and blood sugar fluctuation. The patient’s current metabolic control should be evaluated before surgery.

Does smoking affect surgical healing?

Yes. Smoking can adversely affect blood circulation, increase the risk of infection, raise the risk of dry socket, adversely affect the success of implants and bone grafts, and delay wound healing. NHS patient information particularly states that smoking can increase the risk of infection and dry socket after extraction.

Anaesthesia options in oral surgery

The surgical procedure can be performed with one of the following anaesthesia methods: local anaesthesia, local anaesthesia with anxiety control, conscious sedation, intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. The choice of anaesthesia is made according to the scope of the procedure, the patient’s anxiety level, medical condition, age, airway characteristics and the treatment environment.

General anaesthesia is not required for every impacted tooth or implant. Likewise, in a patient with intense anxiety or undergoing extensive surgery, local anaesthesia alone may not be sufficient. Sedation and general anaesthesia should be performed in environments with suitable equipment and a trained anaesthesia team.

What is tooth extraction with sedation?

Sedation is the controlled reduction of the level of consciousness to reduce the patient’s anxiety and enable them to tolerate the procedure more comfortably. Under sedation the patient may be relaxed, may remember the procedure less, may still need local anaesthesia and may need a companion and a driving restriction after the procedure. Sedation is not the same as “being completely put to sleep”. The level of consciousness varies according to the method used.

Healing after a surgical procedure

The healing time varies according to the scope of the procedure. The same healing time cannot be given for a simple extraction, impacted tooth, implant, bone graft, jaw joint procedure and orthognathic surgery. After surgery, pain, swelling, mild oozing of blood, bruising, limitation in opening the mouth, chewing difficulty and sensitivity at the suture site can be expected to a certain extent.

After impacted wisdom tooth surgery, pain, swelling and jaw stiffness can be seen; the symptoms are mostly more marked in the first days and then begin to decrease. Full healing can vary from a few days to a few weeks.

What should be paid attention to in the first 24 hours?

Patient-specific instructions take priority. In general, the surgical area should not be disturbed, forceful rinsing and spitting should not be done, very hot food and drinks should be avoided, heavy exercise that would increase bleeding should not be done, smoking and alcohol should not be used, the medications recommended by the doctor should be used as directed, and care should be taken not to bite the lip, tongue and cheek before the numbness wears off. The blood clot formed in the surgical area is an important part of wound healing.

When can the mouth be rinsed?

After many extractions and surgical procedures, forceful rinsing is not recommended in the first 24 hours. In the following period, with the doctor’s advice, lukewarm salt water or a prescribed antiseptic mouthwash can be used gently. The use of mouthwash can vary according to the type of procedure.

When does swelling increase?

Swelling can mostly become marked in the first 24–72 hours and then begin to decrease. The presence of swelling alone does not mean infection. However, swelling that does not decrease after a few days or that progressively increases, together with fever and a bad taste, should be evaluated for infection.

When are the sutures removed?

Self-dissolving sutures can disappear within days or a few weeks. Non-dissolving sutures are removed at the check-up indicated by the doctor. The presence of a suture does not mean the wound is fully closed. The area should be kept clean as recommended.

What is dry socket?

Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, is a painful condition related to the blood clot in the extraction cavity not forming sufficiently or being lost early. Symptoms can be severe pain increasing a few days after extraction, pain radiating to the ear or jaw, a bad taste, a bad odour and the clot not being visible in the extraction cavity.

Dry socket is not always an infection and does not require antibiotics in every case. Washing of the area and local dressing may be needed. Smoking can increase the risk.

When should a doctor be consulted after a surgical procedure?

Contact should be made with the surgical team in the following situations:

• Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
• Pain progressively increasing despite medication
• Swelling that increases after a few days
• Fever
• Pus or a bad taste
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• A limitation in opening the mouth that does not progressively decrease
• Unexpected numbness in the lip, tongue or chin
• Allergic reaction
• Medication side effect
• Fluid coming from the nose or a feeling of an opening between the mouth and the sinus
• Movement in the implant or graft area

Difficulty breathing, rapidly spreading neck swelling and uncontrolled bleeding require emergency evaluation.

Risks of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The risks vary according to the type of procedure. In general, pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, delay in wound healing, dry socket, nerve damage, numbness or change of sensation, damage to the adjacent tooth, sinus opening, a remaining root fragment, jaw bone fracture, implant loss, graft loss, suture opening, jaw joint or muscle complaint, anaesthesia-related complication and the need for additional surgery can occur.

Listing the risks only on the consent form is not sufficient. The risks specific to the patient’s own anatomy and procedure should be explained in an understandable way.

Why do oral and jaw surgery prices in Istanbul vary?

Oral and jaw surgery is not a single procedure. The factors affecting the price can be the type of procedure, the degree of difficulty of the surgery, a single or multiple areas, the anaesthesia method to be used, the need for sedation or hospital, three-dimensional imaging, the implant brand and number, bone grafting, membrane, sinus lifting, pathological examination, the plates, screws or biomaterials to be used, the need for an operating room and the check-up and care process.

Deciding only on the basis of “wisdom tooth extraction price” or “implant price” is not sufficient. The patient should evaluate whether there is a real indication for the surgical procedure, whether alternative treatment or monitoring is possible, whether there is a nerve or sinus risk, whether tomography is really necessary, the materials to be used, whether a pathological examination will be done, whether sedation or hospital is needed, whether post-procedure check-ups are included in the plan and how a complication will be managed if it develops.

Surgical treatment approach at Dentapolitan

At Dentapolitan, oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments are based not only on performing the procedure, but on correct indication, risk evaluation and long-term rehabilitation. In our treatment approach:

• The surgical need is confirmed clinically and radiologically.
• Non-surgical or more conservative options are evaluated.
• The nerve, sinus, bone and soft-tissue anatomy is examined.
• Medications used and systemic diseases are questioned.
• The surgical plan is coordinated with the final prosthesis or orthodontic treatment to be made.
• Personal risks and alternatives are explained to the patient before the procedure.
• The healing and check-up program is determined according to the scope of the surgery.
• Different specialties work together when necessary.

Our aim is not only to perform the surgical procedure, but to plan the entire treatment from the diagnosis of the disease to the final function and rehabilitation. In the jaw joint area, from standard arthrocentesis to advanced closed disc repositioning procedures, the intra-articular problem is evaluated together with the muscles, the bite, bruxism and the head-neck system. Dentapolitan serves in Istanbul through its clinics in Ümraniye and Pendik.

This content has been prepared for general health information purposes. It does not replace an examination, diagnosis or a personalised surgical treatment plan.