Modern medical technologies and the experience of maxillofacial surgeons at Ichilov allow for careful and effective management of odontoma. Doctors use digital modeling for precise removal of the formation, fully preserving facial aesthetics and dental health. An individual action plan is developed for each case, which eliminates unnecessary risks and guarantees reliable results.
A cozy environment and caring staff help patients on their path to recovery in a calm, supportive atmosphere. For foreign guests, personal assistance is available to handle all daily and organizational tasks. The combination of advanced methods and human involvement ensures quick recovery even in the most challenging situations.
About the Disease
Odontoma is a benign formation that arises from the same tissues as our teeth: enamel, dentin, and pulp. Essentially, these are cells that have started to grow in the wrong order for some reason. Doctors distinguish two forms of this condition. Compound odontoma resembles a cluster of tiny teeth with recognizable shapes. Complex odontoma, on the other hand, is a dense nodule of dental tissues that are mixed together and do not resemble normal teeth.
Causes
- Not exactly known
- Local trauma in childhood
- Infections
- Genetic factors
- Hereditary syndromes (e.g., Gardner syndrome)
Symptoms
- Often asymptomatic
- Delayed eruption of teeth
- Impacted or retained teeth
- Jaw swelling
- Displacement of adjacent teeth
- Pain (rarely)
- Bone expansion
Treatment Methods for Odontoma
At Ichilov Clinic, the choice of treatment method for odontoma is based on a detailed analysis of three-dimensional images that show the size of the formation, its type, proximity to nerves and tooth roots, as well as the degree of influence on the eruption and position of adjacent teeth.
Dynamic Observation
This method is used in rare cases when odontoma is discovered incidentally during a preventive examination, is very small, located deep in the bone, and does not affect the eruption of teeth or jaw function. The patient is advised to undergo regular check-ups with X-rays or CT scans every six to twelve months to monitor the growth dynamics of the formation.
Enucleation of Odontoma
This method is used for small and medium-sized odontomas that are clearly delineated from the surrounding bone tissue and have not caused significant jaw deformation. The surgeon makes a small incision in the gum, detaches a mucoperiosteal flap, and gains access to the bone in the area of the formation. Then, using a drill or piezosurgery device, the surgeon carefully removes the bone wall above the odontoma, trying not to damage adjacent structures. The formation itself is extracted entirely along with the surrounding connective tissue capsule, which prevents recurrence.
Removal with Resection of Part of the Jaw
This method is used when the odontoma has reached significant sizes and caused thinning or deformation of the jaw bone, making simple removal of the formation insufficient. The surgeon removes not only the odontoma itself but also the surrounding area of altered bone to prevent complications and create conditions for proper healing. The operation is performed under general anesthesia using navigation systems that allow precise determination of the resection boundaries based on a three-dimensional model of the patient's jaw. After removing the affected area, the resulting defect is filled with a bone graft.
Orthodontic Treatment After Removal
This method becomes necessary when the odontoma has hindered the normal eruption of permanent teeth or caused their displacement, leading to bite issues and aesthetic problems. After surgical removal of the formation and tissue healing, the orthodontist installs braces or aligners that gradually move the teeth into the correct position. If a retained tooth remains in the bone, it is first exposed surgically, an orthodontic bracket is fixed on it, and it is brought into the dental arch using traction. The process can take from several months to two years depending on the complexity of the clinical situation. The clinic uses digital planning for tooth movement, allowing the patient to see the final result in advance and accurately calculate the treatment timeline.
Bone Grafting
This method is used in cases where the removal of a large odontoma has left a significant bone defect that will not heal on its own and may lead to jaw deformation or problems with subsequent implantation. The surgeon fills the resulting cavity with bone graft material, which can be autogenous, taken from the patient's own bone, or synthetic based on hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate. The material stimulates the growth of new bone tissue and integrates with the surrounding bone over time. Sometimes a membrane technique is used, where a resorbable membrane is placed over the material to direct the regeneration process and prevent soft tissue from growing into the defect area.
Dental Implantation
This method becomes relevant when the odontoma has led to the loss or developmental anomaly of teeth, and after its removal, a gap in the dental arch disrupts function and aesthetics. Implantation is performed after complete healing of the bone tissue and completion of bone grafting, if necessary. The implant surgeon places a titanium implant in the jawbone at the planned position using a surgical template made based on a CT scan. This ensures precise positioning of the implant at the correct angle and depth. After a period of osseointegration, which takes several months, a crown is fixed on the implant, fully restoring the function of the lost tooth.
Antibacterial Therapy
This method is used as an adjunct when complications such as inflammation or infection of the surgical wound develop after the removal of odontoma, manifested by pain, swelling, fever, and purulent discharge. The patient is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics that suppress bacterial growth and prevent the spread of infection to surrounding tissues and bone. Concurrently, local treatment of the wound with antiseptic solutions is performed, and drainage is installed if necessary to allow for the outflow of exudate. In some cases, repeat surgical intervention is required to sanitize the inflammation site and remove necrotic tissues.
Physiotherapy in the Postoperative Period
Physiotherapeutic methods are applied after the main stage of surgical treatment is completed, when the sutures are removed, but residual swelling, discomfort when opening the mouth, or delayed healing of soft tissues persists. Magnetotherapy is used to improve microcirculation in the surgical area and accelerate regeneration. Low-intensity laser therapy reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and stimulates healing processes at the cellular level. UHF therapy helps dissolve infiltrates and prevents the formation of coarse scars in the intervention area.
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
At Ichilov Clinic, the diagnosis of odontoma is conducted according to a clearly structured protocol that allows for comprehensive information about the size, localization, and impact of the formation on surrounding tissues to be obtained within three days. Modern equipment and coordinated work of diagnostic services ensure the accuracy of results, which is critically important for planning surgical intervention and minimizing the risks of nerve or adjacent tooth root damage.
First Day
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient meets with the treating surgeon, who collects a detailed medical history, clarifies complaints, conducts a thorough examination of the oral cavity, and palpates the area of the suspected formation. Based on the clinical picture, the doctor provides recommendations for a list of studies that will help see the complete picture of the condition, determine the type of odontoma, and plan the optimal volume of intervention.
Second Day
On this day, the patient undergoes a series of diagnostic procedures necessary for accurate assessment of the pathology.
- Complete blood count with leukocyte formula
- Biochemical blood analysis
- Coagulogram
- Orthopantomogram
- Cone beam computed tomography of the jaws
- Three-dimensional modeling of the intervention area
- Consultation with an orthodontist
- Consultation with an implantologist
Third Day
The treating physician gathers a consultation with the participation of a maxillofacial surgeon, orthodontist, implantologist, and anesthesiologist to discuss the diagnostic results in detail and develop an individual treatment plan. This allows for consideration of all nuances of the clinical situation, planning stages of bone grafting or implantation, and creating the most relevant plan that ensures not only the removal of the formation but also the full restoration of dental function.
How Much Does Treatment Cost in Israel
The costs of removing an odontoma are always calculated individually, as they depend on the scale of the intervention and anatomical features. The cost is influenced by the complexity of the surgical stage and possible additional measures, such as bone reinforcement or dental implantation. It is very easy to get an accurate price estimate through the clinic's consultant by calling the number listed on the website. The consultant will analyze the specific situation and provide a transparent expense schedule considering all medical needs.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Maxillofacial surgeons with expertise in removing complex jaw neoplasms
- Microsurgical techniques using operating microscopes and piezosurgical systems
- Three-dimensional computed tomography for precise planning of the intervention volume
- Modern methods of bone grafting and tissue regeneration after removal of the formation
- Comprehensive approach involving orthodontists and implantologists for restoring dental function
Before arriving at Ichilov Clinic, you can order an online consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon who will review the images, provide recommendations on treatment tactics, and discuss available modern technologies for removing odontoma. This allows for an understanding of the scope of the upcoming intervention and planning the trip in advance.