Most patients feel nervous when they hear their dental specialist talk of a “surgery.” The notion is that oral surgery is a painful and expensive procedure. However, oral surgery is pretty common and entails procedures that address conditions that most struggle with.
Oral surgery, also known as maxillofacial surgery, is any surgical procedure around a patient’s mouth, jaw, and facial muscles. Your specialist may suggest oral surgery in Huntington Beach for numerous reasons, ranging from tooth loss and impacted canines to advanced tooth decay. Meanwhile, read on to discover the common types of oral surgery.
1. Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular way of replacing missing teeth, and their installation necessitates oral surgery. The implant is a screw and rod that your specialist surgically inserts into your jawbone. Most implants are made of titanium, but some are made with other materials, such as zirconium.
Dental implants are effective at replacing teeth lost because of tooth decay, oral cancer, or other issues like smoking and alcoholism. The implants function like your natural tooth root. The implant triggers your jawbone to ensure it does not deteriorate, and causes a sunken-in facial look.
2. Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Removing wisdom teeth can be challenging. The location of wisdom teeth at the far back of the mouth. This area is hard to reach, particularly if the wisdom tooth is impacted.
Wisdom tooth extraction entails your oral surgeon removing the wisdom teeth through surgical cuts and stitching the extraction area to help them heal. This procedure takes several days to fully recover. Adherence to your physician’s orders regarding the healing process is crucial to avoid blood clots or excessive bleeding.
3. Root Canal
Underneath a tooth’s enamel is the soft core, the dental pulp, which contains nerve endings, tissue, and blood vessels. Once a tooth suffers decay, bacteria infiltrate the tooth and damage the pulp. The infected pulp causes dental pain, occasional inflammation, and possible discomfort in your jaw or neck.
An oral surgeon can treat this condition through a root canal treatment. With this procedure, the surgeon eliminates the decayed portion of the tooth and extracts the infected pulp. This procedure effectively relieves pain and sensitivity; thus, saving the tooth from extraction.
4. Gum Grafts
Gum grafts are oral surgery that entails the transfer of healthy gum tissue from one area in your mouth to another. This procedure is often used to reduce the look of receding gums. Nonetheless, a gum graft can also replace missing gum tissue because of periodontal disease.
Under local anesthesia, your oral surgeon obtains healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth or another area where it is not required. Then, your doctor transfers the tissue onto the targeted treatment area. Follow your doctor’s post-procedure instructions to alleviate any bleeding or soreness you might experience.
5. Bone Grafts
Bone graft surgery effectively replaces damaged or missing bone in the mouth. This surgery is commonly suggested to restore jawbone structure following tooth loss, or to ready the mouth for a dental implant.
There are two common types of bone graft surgery, namely autogenous and allogeneic. Autogenous bone graft utilizes bone tissue from another part of the patient’s body. On the other hand, allogeneic bone graft surgery utilizes bone tissue from a donor.
Oral surgery is more common than you think, with millions of Americans undergoing the procedure every year. These are just a few of the most common types of oral surgery. Each procedure could be beneficial for your dental health and can help to restore your smile.
Understanding the different types of oral surgery and when they might be necessary can help you make an informed decision about your dental care. Regardless of whether you want a minor cosmetic dental surgery or a major dental procedure, your oral surgeon can help. Your provider will tailor your procedure to meet your unique oral health concerns.
