Dentist
Teeth problems may be many and varied. Some of the teeth problems handled by dentists are:
- Removal of tooth decay
- Filling of teeth cavities with gold, silver, amalgam or cement with fused porcelain inlays
- Removal of teeth (extraction)
- Removing the nerves of teeth or root canal treatment
- Replacement of teeth with bridges and dentures or dental plates
- Examine x rays
- Place protective plastic sealants on kid's teeth
- Straighten teeth and repair fractured teeth
- Dentists also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases.
- Dentures are constructed by dentists by making models and measurements of extracted teeth.
- Dentists render advice on dental care.
Most dentists handle general teeth and gum-related issues. Some dentists do specialty practice. Orthodontist is a specialist who straightens teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces and retainers. This is the largest practicing group in dentistry. Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are the next largest group and they operate of the mouth and jaws. Periodontist treats gums and bones supporting the teeth, prosthodontist replaces missing teeth with permanent fixtures, endodontist performs root canal therapy, and public health dentist promotes good dental health and prevents dental diseases in the community level. An oral pathologist studies oral diseases and oral and maxillofacial radiologist diagnoses diseases in the head and neck through the technique of imaging.
Otoplasty
Cosmetic surgery to alter the looks of the external ears is referred to as otoplasty. Otoplasty can move, remove, add, or reshape the ear as per the individual’s choice. ENT surgeons, plastic surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons carry out this procedure. This procedure will cost about US$ 2,000 to US$ 5,000. Otoplasty is usually done when the person is aged between 4 and 14 though this surgery can be performed on adults too. This surgery produces very good results in children rather than adults as their cartilages are not as firm as adult cartilages. Through otoplasty you can:
- Bring the ears closer to the head; popularly known as ear pinning.
- Reshape any bend in the ear cartilage.
- Reduce the size of the ears if they are very big.
- Correct deformed ears or abscent-microtic ears.
Otoplasty is performed under local anesthesia combined with sedation or under general anesthesia if the surgery involves kids. Anesthesia is chosen depending on the severity of the case. Otoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and takes about two to three hours to get completed. The person can get back to normalcy after five to seven days. The ear should not be bent for about a month and the person should wear a bandage to protect the ears for about a week.
Different types of otoplasty procedures
Incision less otoplasty: Needle is positioned via the skin to sculpt the cartilage and to hold the retention sutures. One incision is made to sculpt the ear; this incision is made behind the ear. The necessary correction is carried out through this incision.
Ear reduction otoplasty: reducing the components in the ear, incisions made are not visible.
Microtia: small ear deformity can be corrected by adding components as per requirement. Reconstruction procedure is usually performed on the cartilage of the ear.
Anotia: Missing ear deformity can be corrected by adding components as per requirement. Reconstruction procedure is usually performed on the cartilage of the ear.
Risks of otoplasty
- Blood clots in the ear, it either dissolves on its own or can be removed by the surgeon.
- Infection in the cartilage, this can be treated with antibiotics.
- Numbness of the skin in the ear or the face.
- Pain for a long duration.
- Permanent scarring.
- External ear canal might narrow down.
Bibliography / Reference
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