Conditions Treated by Oral Surgery
There are many reasons why patients need to seek oral surgical treatment. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental specialists who treat diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, mouth, and face. Following are some of the most common conditions requiring treatment by oral surgery:
Removing Wisdom Teeth: Otherwise known as third molars, wisdom teeth often fail to come in properly and may be impacted in either gum tissue or bone. Oral surgeons usually extract them to alleviate any pain and to reduce the risk of developing potentially dangerous infections.
Dental Implants and Bone Loss: If you are missing teeth, an oral surgeon can place dental implants in the jawbone to serve as tooth roots for permanent replacements. After implanting the titanium implant in the bone, it takes several weeks for healing. During the healing process, the implant fuses to the bone, which can then support the artificial tooth. At times, when there is not enough bone structure present to hold the titanium implant, an oral surgeon will perform a bone graft.
Facial Injury or Trauma: Oral surgeons provide care for patients who have suffered facial trauma, including a fractured or dislocated jaw which may need resetting.
TMJ Disorders: When an abnormality in the structure of the jaw results in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), an oral surgeon may correct the problem surgically and provide relief from the discomfort caused by this condition.
Treating Periodontal Disease: Periodontal disease may lead to gum recession, and bone and tooth loss. Several forms of oral surgery can treat the periodontal disease if all nonsurgical options fail. These procedures include soft tissue and bone grafts, flap surgery to reduce periodontal pockets, and bone surgery to reshape damaged bone and reduce craters.
There are additional types of surgery, but the ones outlined about are some of the common surgical treatments we perform. All our oral procedures include anesthetics to keep you comfortable. We will provide care instructions to help you heal after the procedure.
Talk to the Experts
Contact us at Avalon Dental Care to learn more about oral surgery and how it can enhance your quality of life. Our oral surgeons are highly skilled and experienced and will take any necessary steps to maximize your comfort. We look forward to caring for all your dental needs!
