Oral surgery is an operation on your teeth, gums, jaw, or adjacent oral and facial structures. Teeth extractions, dental bone grafts, periodontal (gum) grafts, and corrective jaw surgery are among the operations that count as oral surgery.
What is the purpose of oral surgery?
Oral surgery may be required for a variety of reasons. If you have any of the following, your dentist in Edmonton may suggest them:
- Tooth deterioration is extensive.
- Chipped tooth
- Gum disease is a condition that affects the gums.
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Teeth are missing.
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems
- Jawbone deterioration
- Sleep Apnea
- Mouth Cancer
- Oral pathology that is benign (noncancerous lumps or bumps)
What are the different types of oral surgery?
Each year, various oral surgical operations are performed depending on patients’ needs. Tooth extraction, dental bone grafts, dental implants, periodontal surgery, corrective jaw surgery, sleep apnea surgery, and cleft lip and palate repair are the most prevalent oral procedures.
- Tooth extraction – Your dentist may advise a tooth extraction if you have significant tooth decay, gum disease, dental trauma, or wisdom teeth issues. If possible, most dentists prefer to save natural teeth, but extractions are sometimes necessary to maintain your overall dental health. Many dentists also advocate wisdom teeth extraction as a preventative strategy to lower your risk of cavities, bone loss, and other oral health problems.
- Dental bone graft – A dental bone graft is necessary when bone loss occurs in the jaw. This could happen for a variety of reasons. The roots of your natural teeth activate the nerves in your jaw when they are present. Dental bone grafting happens because there are no roots to stimulate the nerves in the area where a tooth has been absent for a long period, and bone degeneration can ensue. A dental bone graft restores the volume and density of your jawbone, allowing you to install dental implants later.
- Dental implants – Typically the most durable and long-lasting tooth replacement alternative. These small threaded posts, made of titanium or zirconia, are inserted into your jaw to replace lost tooth roots. Dental crowns, bridges, or dentures can be used to repair the implants once they have healed.
- Periodontal treatment – A dental expert may recommend gum disease therapy if you have moderate or severe periodontitis. Incisions are applied along the gum line, making tissues temporarily pushed away from your teeth during this treatment. Your surgeon will then clean the roots of your teeth, removing plaque and bacteria beneath the gums. Finally, the gum tissue is sutured into place.
- Corrective jaw surgery – is orthognathic surgery that corrects jaw skeletal defects. Corrective jaw surgery is necessary to improve chewing function, repair misalignment, or treat face abnormalities.
- Sleep apnea surgery – When the tissues in the back of your throat collapse and restrict your airway while you sleep, you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Conservative approaches, such as oral appliance therapy or a CPAP machine, can sometimes effectively treat OSA.
What is the benefit of oral surgery?
Your teeth, gums, and jaw joints must work in harmony for maximum dental health and function. The main purpose of oral surgery is to address any problem affecting your health or quality of life.
Book an appointment with your Edmonton dentist at Smile Zone Dental if you are experiencing tooth, gum, or jaw pain because it can indicate you need oral surgery. Call our office at 780-989-5733 to book an appointment!