When Is Oral Surgery Needed?

What is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery is used by dentists to address a wide range of issues. While some patients immediately feel nervous or fearful the second they hear their oral health professional use the word 'surgery,' the reality is it is rather routine when it comes to dentistry.

Oral surgery is also commonly called maxillofacial surgery. It refers to any surgical procedure around a patient's mouth, jaw, and facial muscles.

An oral surgeon is trained to diagnose and treat injuries around the jaw, neck, soft oral tissues, and face. It is a profession that is recognized worldwide as a surgical specialty. An oral surgeon is required to earn a degree in dentistry, followed by a 4-year residency focused on maxillofacial surgery.

There is no need for a patient to become apprehensive when the person's dentist refers them to an oral surgeon. It does not necessarily mean a complicated dental issue has developed; it just indicates a surgeon is better equipped to deal with whatever problem the patient is having.

Reasons why patients may need oral surgery

Common dental procedures like the installation of implants require surgery to begin the process. Surgical procedures are also used to address issues like oral tumors and cysts. Oral surgeons often perform reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. Other reasons why a patient might be referred to an oral surgeon include:

• The extraction of wisdom teeth
• Removal of an infected tooth
• Fixing jaw alignment issues
• Reconstructive surgery to address an injury
• Tumor removal in the neck, jaw, or face
• Palate and lip surgery to solve problems like cleft lip
• Soft tissue obstructing a patient's airways leading to sleep apnea

Let's take a look at a few of these procedures in more detail:

Wisdom teeth extraction

Living with wisdom teeth can be problematic. Given their location at the back of the mouth, these are the hardest teeth in the mouth to clean. That makes them more susceptible to tooth decay since food particles and plaque typically gets to accumulate on them at a higher rate than a person's other teeth.

Once one of the wisdom teeth begin to decay, the damage will eventually reach the pulp chamber. This happening can often lead to persistent toothaches, sensitive teeth, and infections. Given the fact all four of a person's wisdom teeth are entirely unnecessary, dentists typically advise patients to have them extracted when issues develop.

Even when decay does not damage a patient's wisdom teeth, most dentists still recommend their removal since they are still likely to develop other issues like damaging the interior of the patient's cheeks since there is not always enough space for them.

The extraction of an infected tooth

Root canals are not the only option patients have to go with when it comes to infected teeth. Dentists sometimes recommend a removal instead if the tooth is too damaged to be saved. Once the tooth is extracted, an implant is typically installed in its place.

Think you are a good candidate for oral surgery? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today!

Request an appointment in our Odessa dentist office here: https://www.westtexasperio.com.