When Oral Surgery May Be Recommended

Your dentist may suggest oral surgery if you have significant facial trauma. This procedure is also an option if you have severe dental decay or gum disease. Periodontal deformities often need this kind of surgery as well. Common procedures include dental implant placements or dental extractions. Here are the details about when your dentist may recommend oral surgery.

When non-surgical treatments are not effective for sleep apnea

Dentists will always suggest non-invasive treatments first. A night guard will be an ideal solution for people with mild bruxism. It can also help with sleep apnea. But if the patient has severe teeth grinding or jaw clenching, the dentist will recommend oral surgery. The dentist will refer the patient to a surgeon who can perform procedures like tongue advancement.

When dental implants are necessary

This is a popular method of dental replacement. A dental implant is the gold standard when it comes to replacing teeth. Patients with tooth loss need stability in their dental restorations. An implant can provide this while bringing back normal dental function. This dental replacement can also blend well with the rest of the neighboring teeth.

Getting a dental implant will require oral surgery. The dentist will cut into the gum tissue of the dental space. Drilling an implant hole into the jawbone underneath will come next. The dentist will insert a titanium rod into the hole. Stitching the gum tissue together will seal the rod and encourage healing. Healing will take about four to six months.

When the patient needs a dental extraction

Wisdom teeth can cause pain and discomfort for some. The tooth can stay underneath the gum tissue while it develops. This can result in wisdom tooth infection and pain. In other cases, the back teeth have grooves and pits that can harbor food particles and bacteria. That is why a dentist may recommend this oral surgery.

The dentist may also suggest dental extraction if the patient has small jaws and too many teeth. A tooth with severe dental damage or decay that has reached the jawbone area will need removal. Patients with impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and misalignment. Removing these teeth can relieve pain and give way to dental straightening treatments.

When there is oral cancer

The patient can go through oral cancer screening during a dental visit. This will allow the dentist to detect any abnormal lesion or growth in the oral cavity. Even a regular dental cleaning allows a dentist to discover suspicious tumors. A provider can recommend oral surgery to remove this growth.

When there is facial trauma

An individual who has significant facial injuries will likely need oral surgery. Rebuilding and restoring teeth and gums will allow the person to regain normalcy in appearance and dental function. This may take many procedures. Because of this, expect a longer recovery period.

When there is a need for grafting

The gums and jawbone may need a little boost. Gum recession exposes dental roots. This results in pain and temperature sensitivity. Patients with this condition will need gum grafts in which the dentist will cover the exposed dental roots with healthy gum tissue.

A patient with a thinning jawbone will need a bone graft. This procedure must happen before dental implant surgery happens. The bone graft will help thicken the section of the jawbone. After complete healing, the dentist can then place titanium rods in the specific jawbone area. This will begin the process of dental implant surgery.