Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure performed on the jaws, gums, teeth, or surrounding facial and oral structures. These treatments are usually prescribed for problems that cannot be treated through other dentistry procedures, such as severe gum disease, extensive tooth decay, badly broken teeth, oral cancer, sleep apnea, and more. And while the prospect of dental surgery can seem risky and scary, The Woodlands oral surgery procedures are safely and routinely done every day. The following five oral surgeries are the most common.
Tooth Extraction
Also called tooth removals, tooth extractions are the most common type of oral surgery performed globally. A tooth extraction becomes necessary when retaining the tooth could harm your oral health. This includes when you have severe gum disease, extensive tooth decay, wisdom teeth problems, or dental trauma. Extractions can also be performed in preparation for prosthetic devices like dental implants or to prevent wisdom tooth-related issues like cavities.
Periodontal Surgery
Severe gum disease can have serious repercussions on your oral and overall health. Your dentist may recommend periodontal surgery when other treatments fail to clear the infection. During this procedure, your oral surgeon makes incisions along your gum line and pulls away the tissue from your teeth. They then clean the exposed area, including the teeth roots, to eliminate bacterial buildup before suturing your tissue back into place. If your gum disease has caused gum recession, your surgeon may also perform a gum graft to restore lost tissue.
Dental Implants
Widely accepted as the most durable and reliable teeth replacement option, dental implants take several trips to the dentist to install. One of these visits involves oral surgery, during which your provider inserts the titanium screws into your jawbone. The implants are then usually left in place for several months for your bone and tissue to grow around them.
Dental Bone Graft
Missing teeth can cause problems in your oral health, such as shifting teeth, a misaligned bite, and bone loss. Dental bone grafts are surgical procedures done to treat bone deterioration. Essentially, your oral surgeon collects bone material from another part of your body – or a donor – then grafts it into the affected jawbone. This process provides volume and can pave the way for other dental processes like dental implant installation.
Corrective Jaw and Cleft Lip Repair Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery is also known as orthognathic surgery. It is performed to treat skeletal structural abnormalities in the jawbone. In most cases, it is prescribed to correct facial imbalances, address misalignment, or restore chewing function. It can also be used to alleviate pain caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. A similar procedure, cleft lip repair surgery, is used to repair structural abnormalities in the upper lip or roof of the mouth. Often performed on children, it helps improve speech patterns and restore eating function.
Learn More About Oral Surgery
Periodontists or oral surgeons usually perform oral surgery procedures to fix problems other dental treatments cannot fix. Whether you require oral surgery will depend on the severity of your symptoms and your health. If you are dealing with decay, overcrowding, wisdom teeth, or gum disease that won’t respond to other treatments, it may be time to discuss oral surgery with your provider. Contact or visit their office to learn more.
