Oral Surgery Lloyd Hannis|bone graft, dental implants, oral surgery, orthognathic surgery, sinus lift, teeth extractions

Sure, no one relishes the idea of getting oral surgery. However, there are many reasons that may warrant surgical dental intervention. This can include teeth with infection, severe decay, bone loss, tooth loss, and gum problems. Consequently, surgery could be necessary.

Oral Surgery – Teeth Extractions

For example, teeth extractions can be required if a tooth suffers severe trauma, is damaged, cracked, split or present other symptoms causing pain. However, most dentists can perform simple tooth extractions using only local anesthesia.

Oral Surgery – Wisdom Teeth Extractions

On the other hand, wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to develop. These can be very difficult and complex teeth extractions especially as wisdom teeth often grow at odd angles and are in close proximity to the main nerve that runs through the lower jaw. These teeth can grow inwards towards the tongue, outwards towards the cheek or lie flat at a ninety-degree angle!

Most importantly, it is important that a specialist maxillofacial surgeon does this procedure. A maxillofacial surgeon has special training and is more capable of performing a successful treatment, avoiding crucial nerves that run through the lower jaw.

Interestingly, some people never develop wisdom teeth while others only have one, two or three instead of all four.

Oral Surgery – Dental Implants

To replace a missing tooth or a tooth that needs to be extracted, a dental implant acts as a new root to which a new tooth is later placed. The dental implant is ‘implanted’ into the jaw bone where it heals for at least three months before the final phase is complete with a connector. The connector is attached to the final crown to hold everything in place. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. Read more here.

Oral Surgery – Sinus Lift

Meanwhile, may require a sinus lift if teeth have been missing in the upper jaw for a considerable time or if you have severe periodontal (gum) disease. Tooth loss also causes bone loss because there is no support for tissue or bone if the teeth are missing. Over time, the bone reabsorbs and disappears. This is called bone atrophy.

In order to place dental implants and recover this area, a sinus lift with bone graft is normally needed.

The sinus lift process is a delicate oral surgery which involves separating the membrane from the floor of the maxillary sinus. This lifting of the sinus allows the insertion of a bone graft to make the bone thick enough and capable of supporting a dental implant.

In some circumstances and if conditions are ideal, a sinus lift, bone graft, and dental implant can be placed on one appointment. This is beneficial because the whole area heals at the same time without the need for a second surgery to place the implant later. This also means you only take one set of medication without repeating the same prescription at a later date.

Reconstructive Dental Surgery

Sports and other injuries can result in knocked-out teeth and facial injuries which make even the most basic routines a challenge, e.g eating. Reconstructive dental surgery has the purpose of replacing missing teeth, damaged teeth, treating jawbone, gum damage and correcting joint issues.

Invasive oral surgery is performed under general anesthesia so that the patient does not experience discomfort. Light sedation is also a good option for some treatments.

As with any oral surgery, there is always a recovery period with some swelling and sensitivity which is considered totally normal and to be expected. Recovery-related pain will be treated with prescription drugs to alleviate these symptoms and avoid complications. Read more about dental reconstruction by clicking here.

Orthognathic Surgery

If your jaws are not properly aligned, this can cause problems with function as well as appearance. Oral surgery is often necessary to correct this problem and restore function.

Orthognathic corrective jaw surgery must be carefully planned because of the intricacies of occlusion and the combined effect of the facial appearance when the teeth and jaw move.

Orthodontics (braces) can often correct bite problems when only the position of the teeth is the issue. However, if the maxilla and mandible jaw bones are not aligned, then orthognathic surgery should be considered.

In conclusion, it is extremely important these treatments are performed by a qualified periodontist, implantologist or maxillofacial surgeon, depending on the intervention required.

OK, so I’m interested! What’s the next step?

Special 3D x-ray imaging is important when considering any type of dental surgery.

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