The dentist is frequently called upon to determine the etiology of pain in the oral-maxillofacial region. Although oral pain is most frequently of odontogenic origin, many facial pains arise from other sources. The diversity of structures in the head and…
Dentistry is a discipline in which most practitioners regularly perform invasive procedures. Thus, similar to physicians, particularly those who commonly do procedures, dentists are subject to claims of dental malpractice. Some of the most common lawsuits against dentists relate to…
Many patients have more preoperative concerns about the sequelae of surgery—such as pain, swelling, and complications—than about the procedure itself. This is particularly true if they have confidence in the surgeon and planned anesthesia. The surgeon can do many things…
An impacted tooth is one that fails to fully erupt into the dental arch within the usual range of expected time. The tooth becomes impacted because abnormal tooth orientation, adjacent teeth, dense overlying bone, excessive soft tissue, or a genetic…
The removal of most erupted teeth can be achieved by closed delivery, but occasionally these techniques do not provide adequate surgical access. The open or surgical extraction technique is the method used when greater access is necessary to safely remove…
Extraction of a tooth combines the principles of surgery and elementary physical mechanics. When these principles are applied correctly, a tooth can usually be removed from the alveolar process, even by someone without great strength and without untoward force or…
This chapter is designed to introduce the instrumentation commonly used to perform routine dental extractions and other basic oral surgical operations. The instruments illustrated and described are used for a wide variety of purposes, including soft and hard tissue procedures.…
Virtually all oral surgery procedures produce pain, and for most patients the prospects of having surgery provoke some degree of anxiety. Therefore it is incumbent upon those performing oral surgery to master techniques that will control perioperative pain and anxiety.…
It would be difficult for a person living in a modern society to have avoided learning the current concepts of personal and public hygiene. Personal cleanliness and public sanitation have been ingrained in the culture of civilized societies through parental…
An important aspect of any surgical procedure is the preparation of the wound for proper healing. A thorough understanding of the biology of normal tissue repair is therefore valuable for individuals intending to perform surgery. Tissue injury can be caused…