Oral Surgery
Regular dental checkups are a great way to keep teeth healthy and deal with minor complications, but more serious oral issues may require advanced treatment. Oral surgery is a broad term that covers a variety of procedures for your teeth, jaw and face.
Whether your dentist needs to extract a bothersome tooth, correct your bite or help prevent pain in your jawbone, some form of oral surgery can be the answer. Specialists, called maxillofacial surgeons, can even aid accident victims with reconstruction and treat many types of oral cancer. With proper care, even advanced dental conditions can be effectively treated or relieved.
Oral Exam
Many times, your dentist will detect problem areas during routine dental screenings and recommend preventive treatment. In other cases, you may schedule an appointment to discuss cosmetic goals or recent discomfort. Your teeth, gums and jaw need to be carefully examined to determine which treatment will meet your needs. Being open about your symptoms, as well as your preferences and concerns, will help you and your dentist determine the appropriate procedure
“Surgery” is Such a Broad Term
When you hear the word “surgery,” you may automatically imagine a complicated procedure, but “oral surgery” refers to a wide range of treatments — everything from a simple tooth extraction to dental implants. Some common types include:
- Wisdom Teeth — When third molars come in sideways, are too large, become misaligned or may cause damage to surrounding teeth, one or all four may be extracted.
- Dental Implants — Instead of traditional dentures, patients who have lost one or more teeth may have natural-looking replacements permanently attached.
- Cleft Lip/Palate — A series of treatments can help repair a split in a patient’s outer lip or roof of the mouth.
- Jaw Correction — Problems with chewing, breathing or grinding of teeth can often be fixed by repairing the jaw. Difficulty sleeping, swallowing or breathing may also be jaw-related.
Know Your Options
Talk to us about any condition that may relate to you teeth and mouth. There are possible surgical remedies for sleep apnea, temporomandibular disorders (issues with joints and jaw muscles), facial injuries and cosmetic preferences as well as any pain or discomfort you may be feel.