Minor Oral Surgery (odontectomy / impacted wisdom tooth removal, fibroma excisions)
Minor Oral Surgery refers to procedures involving the oral cavity, mouth, and jaw that require surgical intervention, and are less complex and invasive than major oral or maxillofacial surgeries.
We have linked articles for some of these procedures denoted by a , be sure to click and read them too!
To see some of the minor oral surgery cases we've treated in the past, please check out our Dental Gallery.
our Minor Oral Surgery services
- odontectomy (surgical removal of impacted tooth)
- fibroma removal (excision of benign excess soft tissue growth)
- mucocele removal (excision salivary cyst caused by lip biting)
- frenectomy (excision of hypertrophic frenum)
- gingivectomy (correction of excessive gummy smile, excision of inflamed gingiva)
- operculectomy (excision of excessive gum flap partially covering a tooth)
- routine tooth extraction
FAQs on odontectomy and impacted teeth
Why are third molars called wisdom teeth?
Because at the time they erupt, usually starting from 17-21 years old, men and women of such age have gained enough knowledge and are 'wiser' then they were when the other teeth erupted.
What are impacted teeth? What is odontectomy?
Any teeth that have not come out onto its correct position is said to be impacted. Odontectomy is the procedure of removing impacted teeth. The most common teeth to become impacted are the lower third molars (wisdom tooth), lower premolars, and upper canines.
Why should i have my wisdom teeth removed?
The most basic reason is prophylactic. Food can usually get stuck in between an impacted and exposed wisdom teeth and the 2nd molar. Even if the wisdom teeth have come out, since they are the backmost teeth, they are difficult to clean. When they decay, it could spread to the neighboring 2nd molars, and eventually you might need to take out 2 teeth instead of 1. Also the cells forming the wisdom teeth can undergo cystic transformation, engulfing it along with adjacent bone and teeth.
How is the procedure done? How long does it usually take?
This varies on a case to case basis but it usually finished within 1-2 hours from the start of procedure up to wound suturing.
Will i feel pain?
You will feel pain after the anesthetic wears off. Pain management drug will be prescribed afterwards as needed.
I have heard of patients dying from wisdom tooth removal, is this procedure dangerous?
You may have read news of patients dying from this procedure, mostly from outside the Philippines. It is common practice for Western countries to undergo general anesthesia for minor oral surgery, as compared to using local anesthesia here. Most of the time, the cause of the patient's death are related to inherent risks of general anesthesia and not the dental procedure.
FAQs on Fibromas
What are fibromas?
Fibromas are benign growths that are composed of fibrous or connective tissue.
How do they form in the mouth?
The usual cause are ill fitting denture. They are also called Epulis Fissuratum. It forms as the loose denture slide along the gumpads, causing small folds of gum tissue to form. With time, the folds can grow bigger, eventually affecting the fit of the denture.
Will they cause cancer?
Epulis Fissuratum fibromas are usually benign and painless. If the specimen looks unusual, it can be sent to a medical laboratory for histopathologic examination.
FAQs on Frenectomy
What is frenectomy?
Frenectomy is the procedure for removing the frenum - which is the muscle attaching the lips to the gums, and the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Why are they removed?
In some cases, the frenum may grow a bit bigger, eventually holding a big space open in the middle of the incisors. They need to be removed in case the patient decides to close the space via orthodontic treatment. On the tongue, a very short and tight frenum may cause speech difficulties, this is commonly known as a ankyloglossia or a tongue tie.
