Despite putting effort into brushing your teeth daily and visiting your dentist twice a year, there are chances that you could require an oral surgery procedure in the future to protect your smile and general health. Your dentist could recommend oral surgery if you have a dental, gums, jaw, or any oral health issue that is untreatable by other dentistry procedures.
While hearing that your dental or oral health issue could require surgery can be frightening and scary, there is no need to fret because it is a non-invasive procedure, thanks to modern technology. If you require any type of oral surgery procedure in the future or are currently considering it as the solution for your dental, oral, or facial appearance, it would be best to talk to a dentist.
Our dentists at The Lakewood Dentist will examine your unique issue using advanced dentistry techniques to determine whether you are an excellent candidate for oral surgery. If so, you can rest assured that your dental or oral health concern is in the right hands.
Oral Surgery at a Glance
Also commonly known as maxillofacial surgery, oral surgery is a branch of dentistry that deals with diagnosing, preventing, and treating injuries and diseases affecting your mouth, jaws, neck, and face. An oral surgeon is a highly educated and trained dental professional who specializes in this crucial branch of dentistry.
If your dentist recommends oral surgery, you should take your time to find a skilled and seasoned oral surgeon for the best services you need to stay on top of your dental and oral health.
Various Types of Maxillofacial Surgery Procedures Your Dentist Could Recommend
There are several reasons your dentist could recommend oral surgery. The specific procedure your dentist will recommend will depend on your unique oral or dental health concerns. Here is a brief overview of various oral surgery procedures you ought to know:
Dental Implant Installation or Placement Surgery
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that your dentist will surgically place on your jawbone to replace a missing tooth or support a denture or dental bridge. Apart from being a permanent solution for a missing tooth or set of teeth, dental implants can help protect your dental health, improve your smile’s appearance, and restore your ability to chew food.
Tooth Extraction
Also known as tooth removal, tooth extraction is a common oral surgery procedure you or a loved one could require to protect his/her dental and oral health. Generally speaking, your dentist will recommend this procedure to prevent dental or gum health issues if you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth and other treatment options, like root canal therapy, are unsuccessful.
Your dentist could also recommend tooth extraction if you do not have sufficient space in your mouth to accommodate erupting teeth due to overcrowding. While your dentist can extract visible teeth without surgery, surgery will be necessary if the affected tooth is underneath your gums.
Jaw Surgery
Also known as orthognathic surgery, a dentist will perform corrective jaw surgery if you have skeletal discrepancies or misaligned jaws. A dentist will mostly recommend this procedure if orthodontics alone cannot help improve your teeth or jaw alignment. Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the alignment of teeth and jaws.
When correctly performed, orthognathic surgery can help improve your bite function, speech, and facial aesthetics.
Bone Grafting
If you have one or two missing teeth, your dentist could recommend bone grafting before a dental implant placement. Bone grafting is particularly necessary if you do not have enough bone mass and density in your jawbone to hold a dental implant in place for several years.
During this procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will take some bone from any part of your body, including the hips, hands, ribs, or legs, and use it to reverse your dental bone loss for a successful dental implant placement.
Root Canal Therapy
Also known as root canal treatment, root canal therapy is a dental procedure for removing infected or damaged nerves and blood vessels from the inner part of the tooth (pulp chamber). You could be an excellent candidate for root canal therapy if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Swelling around your gums.
- Darkening of your tooth.
- Severe toothache and sensitivity when drinking or eating sour, cold, salty, sugary, or warm foods.
- Pus oozing out from the infected tooth.
- Pain when biting down on your tooth.
- Persistent bad odor or taste in your mouth.
If you are experiencing any of these uncomfortable symptoms, root canal therapy could help save your tooth. During the procedure, your dentist will keenly remove the compromised pulp and disinfect the canal (hollow part of the tooth) before filling and sealing it with a tooth-colored composite resin to restore the tooth’s shape and functions.
Apicoectomy
If root canal therapy is insufficient to stop the spread of infection in the pulp chamber of your tooth, your dentist will likely recommend an apicoectomy. During this procedure, your dentist will remove the compromised section of your tooth root(s) before filling and sealing the root with a composite resin to prevent further infection.
Depending on the severity of the issue, a few sutures or stitches could be necessary to aid in your healing process.
Oral Biopsies
When your dentist discovers an abnormality in your mouth during routine dental check-ups and exams, he/she could choose to perform an oral or mouth biopsy. During this procedure, your dentist will take a small portion of tissue from the affected area of your mouth and send it to the laboratory to determine the root cause of the abnormality.
Based on the facts of the final report, your dentist can create a personalized treatment plan to fix the issue.
Gum Surgery
A dentist or oral surgeon will perform gum surgery mainly to prevent complications caused by advanced gum disease (periodontitis), including bone damage and tooth loss. Your dentist could also recommend this procedure if:
- You have severe gum recession caused by forceful tooth brushing, genetics, injury, or trauma on your mouth.
- You have excess gum tissues that are affecting your smile’s appearance.
- You have a broken tooth stuck below your gum line.
Depending on the severity of your unique health condition and aesthetic goals, your dentist could recommend any of the following types of gum surgery:
- Gum regeneration.
- Gingival flap surgery.
- Crown lengthening.
- Soft tissue grafting.
Facial Trauma or Injury Surgery
As mentioned above, oral surgeons can also treat issues affecting your health and facial appearance. If you have a facial injury caused by an accident or sports injury, your dentist could recommend facial trauma surgery to help repair soft tissue damage and reset fractured bones for an improved facial appearance.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery
The TMJ is a hinge-like joint located where your skull and jawbone meet. This joint helps your jaw slide up and down, allowing you to talk, chew, and eat. If you have a TMJ disorder, you will experience stiffness around your neck and a lack of mobility in your TMJ, preventing you from using your jaw’s full range of motion.
Fortunately, surgery can help treat a TMJ disorder if all other conservative treatment methods cannot help or are ineffective in alleviating the severity of these bothersome symptoms. For some patients, TMJ surgery is necessary to help restore all functions of the TMJ. You could be an excellent candidate for TMJ surgery if:
- You cannot close or open your mouth all the way.
- You feel tenderness or consistent pain when you open your mouth.
- You have trouble drinking or eating because of immobility or jaw pain.
Sleep Apnea Surgery
Sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder that causes your upper airway to block or collapse several times while asleep, reducing or stopping airflow. Common symptoms of this disorder include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Gasping for air while asleep.
- Loud snoring.
- Morning headache.
- Dry mouth.
If non-surgical approaches or treatments like over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays and adhesive strips are ineffective in managing the condition, sleep apnea surgery could be necessary to help address the issue. Surgeries on your mouth, throat, and nose can help prevent blockages of your windpipe, throat, and nose.
Why Oral Surgery is Important
The idea that you could require oral surgery could be frightening, but it is an advantageous and crucial procedure. Aside from improving your oral and dental health, oral surgery can help improve your general well-being. Briefly described below are the primary advantages of oral surgery:
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Improved Oral and Dental Health
Oral surgery will help you stay on top of your dental and oral health by addressing issues affecting your teeth and gums, like decay and gingivitis.
Enhanced Functionality
If you have an issue that affects your chewing functions or bite alignment, dental implants or jaw surgery could help correct these issues and restore your speaking and chewing abilities.
Relief From Discomfort and Pain
Procedures like jaw surgery and dental implant placement can help reduce discomfort and pain caused by dental problems like decay or severe tooth cracks. Often, patients with these issues will feel immediate relief after the procedure.
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Restoration of Your Aesthetics
Aside from enhancing your oral health, dental implants and gum surgery can help improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
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Long-term Teeth Replacement
If you have a missing tooth or set of teeth, dental implants can be a stable and long-lasting solution for the issue where other remedies like root canal therapy are ineffective.
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Facial Harmony
If you have an imbalanced facial appearance caused by bone loss or a misaligned jaw, bone grafting or corrective jaw surgery could be an ideal remedy. These procedures can help balance your jaw alignment and facial features for the improved and more youthful appearance you deserve to face the world confidently.
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Better Quality Sleep
As mentioned above, nose, airway, and throat surgery could help treat sleep apnea. If you have an airway blockage issue or otherwise sleep apnea, surgery could help if other conservative treatments are ineffective or unsuccessful. Aside from improving your sleep quality, sleep apnea surgery will help prevent other possible complications caused by this disorder.
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Prevention of More Serious Issues
Addressing dental and oral health problems like cavities, jaw misalignment, bite issues, and gingivitis ahead of time can help prevent other problematic and more costly oral health problems from occurring in the future.
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Treatment of Dental and Oral Pathologies
Another great advantage of oral surgery is diagnosing oral pathologies, like cancerous cells, ahead of time. When detected early and treated during its onset, oral cancer is preventable.
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Functional Support
Procedures like gum and bone grafting can help provide structural anchorage and support to your bones and gums, preventing further health issues and complications like tooth loss.
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Improved Psychological or Mental Well-being
The self-esteem and confidence you will experience after a successful oral surgery procedure can boost your emotional and mental well-being, lessening embarrassment and anxiety caused by oral health issues like receding gums.
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Improved Life Quality
By improving your aesthetics and addressing uncomfortable and problematic oral health issues, oral surgery could help improve your quality of life. If you have a missing tooth that affects your smile appearance or chewing functions, oral surgery could be an ideal remedy for the problem for an improved quality of life.
It is worth noting that the advantages of oral or maxillofacial surgery will depend on the unique procedure your dentist will perform and your unique circumstances. If you believe you are an excellent candidate for oral surgery, you should speak with a dentist to discuss your unique needs and the advantages of the procedure he/she finds suitable for your issue.
How to Prepare for an Oral Surgery Procedure
If your dentist schedules you for an oral surgery procedure, you should prepare everything you need ahead of time for a successful and smooth procedure. Early preparation also ensures a faster and more comfortable recovery after your surgery. Below are steps that will assist you in preparing for your oral surgery:
- Consult with your dentist ahead of time for examination and to discuss critical issues like your medical record, current medications, allergies, and anesthesia options available.
- Follow up on your pre-surgery guidelines and instructions, including fasting, drink restrictions, and the necessary medication adjustments.
- Dress comfortably during your surgery date, meaning you should avoid clothes that could make it challenging to perform the surgery or breathe comfortably during the surgery.
- Arrange for transportation because anesthesia could impact your mental and physical ability to drive home after the surgery.
- Plan for healing and recovery by setting up a clean and comfortable recuperation environment at home. For instance, you should stock up on soft and easy-to-chew foods like mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, and soups as your primary post-surgery diet.
- Brush your tongue and teeth thoroughly during the surgery date to avoid or minimize the chances of infections.
- Communicate with your dentist or surgeon ahead of time to inform him/her of any changes in your medication and general health.
- Prepare yourself mentally through meditation and taking deep breaths to help ease any anxiety before your oral surgery procedure.
By adhering to your dentist’s instructions and preparing thoroughly for the procedure, you can be certain of a successful oral surgery procedure, regardless of the complexity of your condition. If you have any questions or need guidance on anything before your surgery, you should consult with your dentist for clarification.
What to Anticipate During Your Oral Surgery Appointment
On your scheduled surgery appointment day, it would help to arrive at your dentist’s clinic early to give you time for any administrative procedures and necessary paperwork. Once you arrive at the clinic on time, you should check in with the available receptionist to verify your insurance details and identity.
Before the surgery, your dentist will thoroughly explain the entire process and what to expect. If you have any last-minute queries, this is the ideal time to seek the answers you need from your dentist. Once it is time for the surgery, your oral surgeon or anesthesiologist will discuss the ideal anesthesia he/she will use to make the procedure comfortable and pain-free.
Depending on your preferences and unique procedure requirements, the surgeon could use IV sedation, general anesthesia, or local anesthesia. Once you are under anesthesia or sedated, your surgeon or dentist will perform the necessary surgical stages or steps carefully.
Depending on your unique condition, your surgeon could use specialized techniques and equipment to perform your oral surgery. Throughout your oral surgery, remember that communication is essential. If you are unclear about anything the surgeon is performing or anything feels uncomfortable, do not hesitate to seek clarification.
The duration of your surgical procedure will sorely depend on your condition and the procedure’s complexity. Once your dentist completes the necessary surgical procedure, his/her staff will move you to the post-operative room to give you time to recover from the numbing and unconscious side effects of the sedative or anesthesia used.
As you regain your consciousness and alertness, your surgeon will give you post-surgery guidelines and, if necessary, prescribe medicine to help prevent infections and uncomfortable pain.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, it is vital to have an adult drive you home after the surgery because the effects of anesthesia or sedatives can impair your ability to drive like a cautious driver.
Recovery and Post-Surgery Care Tips
A quick and comfortable recovery after a successful oral surgery is vital to the overall treatment plan. Once the dentist completes the procedure, you should maintain top-notch oral health and care for the surgical site to avoid unnecessary complications and ensure quicker healing.
Below are post-operative and recovery tips that can accelerate the recuperation process and ensure the best results:
- Take enough rest within the first two days after the procedure.
- Maintain a diet with soft foods like pudding and mashed potatoes.
- Take OTC painkillers to alleviate any bothersome pain if applying an ice pack wrapped on a cloth on the surgical site is ineffective.
- Rinse your mouth every day with warm, saline water.
- Avoid hot and spicy foods.
- Avoid smoking or using any tobacco-related products.
- Avoid using straws when drinking your beverages.
- Attend any follow-up appointment to allow your dentist or oral surgeon to monitor the healing process.
If you have concerns about the post-operative recovery process, you should seek clarification from your oral surgeon or dentist.
Possible Complications Associated With Oral Surgery
Navigating your recovery stage after a successful oral surgery is critical for optimal outcomes and quicker healing. However, you should be aware of the possible complications that could arise during the recovery and healing period and how to handle these issues. Some of these complications include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Dry socket.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Infections.
- Allergic reactions.
- Nerve damage.
- Persistent swelling and pain.
- Adverse reactions to sedation or anesthesia used.
While complications after oral surgery are rare, you could experience any of the above complications after your surgery. When that happens, you should follow your dentist’s instructions on how to handle the situation. However, if the complications worsen, you should schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon or dentist as soon as possible.
It is worth noting that early detection and intervention are critical to preventing these complications from worsening and becoming costly to treat.
Bottomline
Oral surgery can help you improve your smile appearance and stay on top of your dental and oral health where other conservative treatments are unsuccessful or ineffective. If you have a condition that could require oral surgery, you should consult your dentist as soon as possible to determine your treatment options.
Find a Seasoned Dentist Near Me
We invite you to contact our reliable dentists at The Lakewood Dentist at 562-423-1441 if you believe you would be an excellent candidate for oral surgery. We will examine your unique dental and oral health issues using our modern dentistry equipment to determine which treatment option suits your case.
With several years of experience in dentistry, our courteous team of dentists can provide you with the correct diagnosis and precise treatment you need to live your life optimally and happily.