Oral surgery is a practice that has been around for centuries. Oral surgery is a generic term for a number of different surgeries and procedures. According to Ada.org, maxillofacial and oral surgery is one of nine dental specialties.
Facts
As defined by Dictionary.reference.com, oral surgery is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions requiring surgical intervention. Aaoms.org recognizes that oral and maxillofacial surgeons deal with wisdom teeth, facial pain, misaligned jaws, facial injuries, implants, oral cancer, tumors, cysts and cosmetic surgery of the face.
Early History
The history of oral surgery begins from 500 BC to 300 BC according to The American Dental Association's history of dentistry. During this time, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about various dental topics including treating decayed teeth, gum disease, extracting teeth and the use of wire to support loose teeth and fractured jaws. In 1210, A Guild of Barbers was created in France. These barbers split into two groups; surgeons for more complex operations, and surgeons who carried out simpler procedures. In 1575 Ambrose Pare (the Father of Surgery) published Complete Works. This book contains information on tooth extraction, treatments of tooth decay and jaw fractures.
1728 to Present
In 1728, the oral surgeon Pierre Fauchard wrote a treatise called "The Surgeon Dentist." His book included basic anatomy of the mouth, as well as surgery techniques. In 1840, The American Society of Dental Surgeons is founded. Today oral surgeries are much more advanced and research and technology continues to grow.
Types
The removal of wisdom teeth, apicoectomy, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, trauma in the face, oral pathology, tooth implants, anesthetics and grafts of the bone are all types of oral surgery. These are some of the main surgeries, although other surgeries, including cosmetic surgeries fall into the oral surgery category.
Significance
Oral surgery serves numerous purposes for dental patients. Aaoms.org lists the following purposes of oral surgery: reconstructive surgery, tumor removal, dental implant placement, diagnosis and treatment of infections, repairs to the face, jaw, and mouth and the correction of deformities.
Tags: oral surgery, oral surgery, diagnosis treatment, Oral surgery, wisdom teeth