When is Oral Surgery Necessary?

Oral surgery is a blanket term for various surgical procedures performed in the mouth, jaw, and throat. It is possible to treat any oral and dental conditions through non-invasive approaches, such as fillings, simple extractions, and tooth alignment. However, some conditions may require oral surgery to address a more complex or underlying problem fully.

Impacted teeth

Impacted teeth occur when a tooth fails to fully emerge above the gum line, resulting in obstruction, discomfort, and sensitivity. Impacted teeth can also lead to pain, infection, misalignment of surrounding teeth, and damage to the adjacent teeth. Considering the teeth do not erupt above the gum line, a surgical extraction will be necessary for removal.

Though not synonymous, many oral surgeons see this condition when wisdom teeth emerge. When there is insufficient room in the jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth, they tend to grow sideways, partially emerge, or become stuck beneath the gum line. This is why most patients get their wisdom teeth removed quickly after being spotted, typically between the ages of 17 and 25.

Tooth replacements

When an oral surgeon must remove a tooth, not including wisdom teeth, or a tooth has been lost in another way, replacing it is vital. When a missing tooth is left untreated, gum recession, gum disease, the shifting of surrounding teeth, and jawbone loss can follow. While non-invasive options can help, such as dental bridges or dentures, an oral surgeon can provide a permanent option, dental implants.

Dental implants are the most popular replacement options among dental professionals due to their durability and flawless finish. The process is long, with patients undergoing two oral surgeries over nine months. One surgery will surgically place the titanium post in the jawbone, and the other will attach the abutment to the post, serving as an anchor to a partial denture, fixed bridge, or dental crown.

Due to the nature of this oral surgery, patients qualify as ideal candidates. The oral surgeon will ensure they have healthy gum tissue and a sufficient amount of jawbone to insert the post. However, sometimes a bone graft or sinus floor lift, two more oral surgeries, is necessary to boost candidacy efforts.

Jaw misalignments

A malocclusion is when a patient struggles with misaligned teeth and jaws. Malocclusions can lead to difficulties in eating, speaking, and breathing, as well as gum disease and pain. While it is possible to correct minor malocclusions with orthodontic appliances such as braces or clear aligners, more severe cases may require oral surgery to realign the teeth and jaws properly.

This oral surgery is formally known as orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery. There are three types of orthognathic surgery:

• Maxillary osteotomy. The upper jaw is moved forward or backward to align with the lower jawbone.
• Mandibular osteotomy. The lower jaw is moved forward or backward to align with the upper jawbone.
• Genioplasty. Often performed in conjunction with the maxillary or mandibular osteotomy, the oral surgeon will restructure the chin line.

These oral surgeries do more than just correct malocclusions; they can also correct sleep apnea and facial deformities caused by disease or trauma.