What Is Oral Surgery and When Is It Necessary?
We live in a wonderful era. An era of prosperity and one in which so many debilitating and even deadly diseases have effective treatments and even cures. This includes diseases that impact the mouth. Of course, some of those treatments can sound scary. Here, we’re going to demystify oral surgery, explaining why it’s necessary and why it’s a good thing to consider if you are suffering from a tooth or gum ailment.
The Basics of Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is also referred to as maxillofacial surgery within the medical community as the term is used to refer to any surgical procedure that occurs around a person’s mouth, jaw, or facial muscles. Many dentists can perform an array of more superficial or topical oral surgeries, but you may find your family dentist referring you to a more specialized oral surgeon for advanced procedures.
Specialized oral surgeons have earned a degree in dentistry as well as completed a four-year residency that was solely focused on maxillofacial surgery. This extensive training ensures that an oral surgeon is well-equipped for the precision work needed in so many maxillofacial procedures. So if your dentist has recommended you to a specialized doctor, don’t fret! They just want to ensure that you receive the very best care for whatever oral issue you are facing.
When Will I Need Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery is relatively common. In fact, an estimated 90% of American adults have had at least one impacted wisdom tooth that needed removal. In comparison, only about 50% of Americans break a bone by the time they are 65!
Let’s take a look at some of those leading reasons behind why you might be recommended for oral surgery:
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction, including wisdom tooth extraction, is certainly the number one reason why your dentist might recommend oral surgery. A tooth may need to be extracted due to it being chipped or broken, because of overcrowding, or because of decay caused by tartar or gum disease.
Dental implants
Whether you have a tooth extracted or lose a tooth due to some type of trauma, your dentist is apt to recommend a dental implant to replace the lost tooth. Dental implants are more extensive than tooth extraction and may require a few visits to ensure proper adherence. Once the process is complete, however, patients are sure to appreciate an enhanced smile and improved chewing function.
Apicoectomy
Apicoectomies are a type of oral surgery that happens when there is an issue with a root canal procedure and how the tooth is hooked at the bottom. Apicoectomies utilize long-reaching, specialty equipment to remove the root’s tip and fill it with a safe material.
Jaw reconstruction and/or alignment
All types of trauma can fracture or break one’s facial bones, or otherwise knock out one’s teeth. A person may also be born with a misaligned jaw. These and other issues can be resolved with expert oral surgery. Because jaw reconstruction and jaw realignment are certainly more intensive, most patients undergoing one or the other will require general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay.
Periodontal surgery
Periodontal surgery is recommended for those individuals who suffer from more than minor gum disease. A dentist might recommend a patient for surgery if gum recession or significant tooth decay has occurred due to periodontitis. An oral surgeon will then attempt to use donor tissue or similar material to surgically repair impacted areas.
Scheduling Your Oral Surgery
We hope this article helped to demystify surgery. We also hope you will consider our team when it comes time for your surgical needs. Contact us to learn why so many local dentists recommend us for dental surgery in Melbourne.