What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery includes any operation done on your teeth, gums, jaw, or adjacent oral and facial tissues. Teeth extractions, dental bone grafts, periodontal (gum) grafts, and corrective jaw surgery are among the operations covered.
Why is oral surgery performed?
You may need oral surgery for a variety of reasons. It may be recommended by your dentist if you have:
- Badly broken teeth
- Benign oral pathology (noncancerous lumps or bumps)
- Bone loss in your jaw
- Extensive tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Impacted teeth
- Missing teeth
- Oral cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
Types of Oral Surgeries
When there is no alternative method to preserve the tooth, tooth extraction is often considered the final resort. The tooth is extracted under local anesthetic using dental devices such as elevators and forceps. There are primarily two forms of tooth extraction: basic and surgical.
As implied by the term, basic tooth extractions comprise numbing the tooth and removing it using dental equipment. These procedures are performed on teeth that are already movable or those that are still firm but noticeable.
Surgical tooth extractions need a small surgical procedure and may necessitate sutures on the extraction site. When surgical tooth extraction is necessary, impacted wisdom teeth that are not visible or partly visible and fractured teeth in which the tooth has shattered partially or entirely are instances.
While both forms of extractions are relatively painless during the surgery, there may be some discomfort after the effects of the anesthetic wear off. The patient is returned home with post-operative instructions that must be closely adhered to for the extraction incision to heal properly.
Injuries and persistent infections may destroy the tooth pulp, which contains the tooth’s blood and nerve supply. To preserve the functioning of a tooth after it has become non-vital, a root canal treatment is the best course of action in such situations.
The root canal treatment is a sophisticated operation that starts with a comprehensive oral examination and diagnostic X-rays. Local anesthetic is used to numb the region around the afflicted tooth, and then the damaged portion of the tooth is extracted.
After establishing an access hole in the tooth, the dentist will clean and sterilize the whole root canal system. This is intended to sterilize the tooth and remove any infection. The root canals are subsequently filled with gutta-percha, which replaces the pulp and is sealed with a permanent filling solution. Typically, a dental crown is put on the tooth’s crown to restore its strength and function.
Dental implants are typically regarded as the most dependable and durable alternative for replacing missing teeth. These tiny titanium or zirconia threaded posts are implanted into the jawbone to replace lost tooth roots. The implants may be repaired with dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures after they have healed.
Your “wisdom teeth” are only extra molars that do not erupt until you are between the ages of 17 and 20. Frequently, these teeth erupt normally and increase your chewing ability. Occasionally, however, they develop inappropriately, crowding adjacent teeth or failing to completely erupt. In this instance, you may need oral surgery to remove your wisdom teeth. This outpatient treatment may include mild anesthesia for pain and anxiety relief. The majority of individuals recover after wisdom teeth extraction in a few days with little pain.
When bone loss has occurred in the jaw, a dental bone transplant is required. There are a few potential causes for this. The roots of your natural teeth activate the nerves in your jaw when they are present. This prompts the brain to send nutrients to the jaw, maintaining it healthy and powerful. Bone degeneration may develop in a location where a tooth has been absent for some time because there are no roots to stimulate the nerves. A dental bone transplant restores volume and density to the jawbone in preparation for the placement of dental implants.
Occasionally, a bone transplant may be placed during periodontal surgery. Advanced gum disease may lead to bone loss around the teeth. A bone transplant decreases movement and offers a stable foundation, preserving the health and vitality of your teeth.
Who performs oral surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgeries on the face, jaw, and mouth. A periodontist, often known as a gum specialist, operates on the gums and bones that support your teeth. After dental school, both oral surgeons and periodontists must complete three to four years of further study.
Procedure Details
Your healthcare professional will do a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and other tissues. In addition, they will take dental X-rays and scans to provide a good look at your tooth roots, jawbone, nerves, and other vital oral landmarks. Using this information, a tailored treatment plan will be developed.
Oral surgery is often done as an outpatient operation in a dental clinic. For your comfort, your surgeon may provide you with nitrous oxide, oral medicines, or intravenous (IV) mild or deep sedation. In other instances, oral surgery may be performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
The duration of your treatment will depend on several variables, including the kind of oral surgery you are undergoing, the number of teeth being treated, and whether or not you choose anesthesia. An extraction of a single tooth normally takes around 30 minutes, but a more complex treatment, such as corrective jaw surgery, requires at least two to three hours.
Following oral surgery, you will be given comprehensive post-operative instructions. You must strictly adhere to these instructions to limit your risk of bleeding, infection, and other problems.
The majority of oral surgery falls under dental benefits when it comes to insurance. However, oral surgery is sometimes covered by medical insurance. For instance, if you’ve been in an accident and need oral surgery in a hospital, your health insurance would probably cover it. However, plans and rules differ, so consult your healthcare provider for specifics. In brief, certain oral surgical operations are covered by medical insurance, but not all.
As with any procedure, you should be aware of any risks or complications associated with oral surgery. These may include:
- Infection.
- Injury to adjacent teeth.
- Dry socket (a condition that can occur following extractions, when the blood clotting process is disturbed).
- Numbness.
- Tooth root fragments.
- Sinus problems.
Healing durations vary from person to person, but the majority of individuals return to normal within a week. The more thorough your oral surgery, the longer your recovery will be. Your healthcare practitioner will provide drugs to make you comfortable throughout this period.
The majority of individuals may return to work or school in one to three days. It may take longer for more comprehensive surgeries, such as corrective jaw surgery.
After oral surgery, avoid hard and crunchy meals to facilitate healing. Rather, fill your refrigerator and pantry with soft foods such as yogurt, soup, pasta, mashed potatoes, salmon, pudding, eggs, and rice. Try popsicles, ice cream, and milkshakes as a cold treat. Cold meals might assist in soothing the surgery site.
Coral Gables, FL Oral Surgery
Here at Gables iSmile, we believe in enhancing your smile while preserving the qualities that make it uniquely yours. Dr. Kiani and his associates take pride in bringing the health, function, and aesthetics of your smile into perfect harmony. With decades of experience, we have mastered the art of subtlety and never produce unnatural-looking results or do even the smallest amount of unnecessary work.
Miami iSmile
- 11500 NW 7th Street Miami, FL 33168
- (786) 705-3332
Lauderdale iSmile
- 2412 N State Rd 7, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313
- (954) 585-9992
