Just What is Oral Surgery?
When it comes to your head, neck, and jaws, dentists who specialize in oral surgery are your go-to experts. Tooth extractions, root canal treatment, dental implants, and many more dental operations fall under the umbrella of “oral surgery.” The services of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be recommended by your dentist if more extensive work is required.
Preparing for Oral Surgery: What to Expect?
The dental staff is there to make sure you feel comfortable and confident during your oral surgery. At your initial appointment, we will go through your symptoms, diagnose you, and determine the best course of therapy for you. Your dental and medical records will be reviewed, and you will be given detailed instructions and an explanation of any risks associated with your surgery.
Warning Signs for Oral Surgery
Do you get a strange sensation in your mouth? It’s crucial to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you discover any problems with your teeth, gums, or jaws. If your dentist suspects that you may need oral surgery, he or she will recommend you to the appropriate specialist after conducting a comprehensive examination.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction due to Impaction
The wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to come in. Yet, many people lack the necessary room for these teeth to emerge normally, leading to the complication known as “impactions.” When wisdom teeth are impacted, they are unable to break through the gums and become free in the mouth. This may cause no symptoms at all or severe discomfort. Moreover, impacted wisdom teeth may cause other teeth to get damaged or cause swelling and infection. Impacted wisdom teeth are a common reason dentists urge extraction. When an impacted tooth is extracted, sutures are typically used to seal the extraction site and promote healing of the gums. Your dentist will go through any essential aftercare procedures with you.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Those with a crooked bite may benefit from jaw alignment surgery. Possible causes include improper jaw development or trauma. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and other dentists may all be needed for jaw surgery. Either your upper or lower jaw may need to be operated on. It is fairly uncommon for surgeons to advise against doing jaw surgery until the patient is no longer expected to experience further growth. Like with any type of surgical operation, your dentist will go over the potential complications, advantages, and alternatives to the necessary procedure with you.
Diseases of the Temporomandibular Joint
Discomfort in the jaw’s temporomandibular joint is no laughing matter. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge-like structure that connects the two sides of your jaw. TMJ surgery, which might involve arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and open joint surgery, may be recommended by your dentist if the joint is injured. Arthrocentesis is a procedure in which fluid is injected into a joint to flush out inflammatory material. In arthroscopy, a small tube is inserted into the joint to aid in diagnosis and treatment. If the damage is extensive, open joint surgery to expose and repair the joint may be necessary.
Lack of Teeth
Losing teeth can affect both your appearance and your dental health. Losing teeth can make it difficult to eat and communicate as well. Several things can cause it, including gum disease, tooth decay, and trauma. As teeth are removed, the bone that once supported them begins to dissolve. Bone loss may be avoided, thankfully, when lost teeth are replaced with prosthetic restorations. Dental implants, dentures, and bridges are the most frequently used restorative procedures. Your dentist or orthodontist can advise you on the best course of action for replacing lost teeth.
Extraction of Teeth
Dentists use local anaesthetic to ensure that patients experiencing tooth extractions feel no discomfort. Post-operative bleeding is frequent, although typically subsides after a blood clot develops at the extraction site. After the operation, you will be given instructions, such as not using a straw or lighting up. Depending on the treatment and your medical history, your dentist will advise you on the best pain medicine to take.
Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Getting enough shut-eye is crucial to our health and well-being. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are just some of the oral and systemic health issues that have been related to sleep apnea. When breathing repeatedly stops and resumes while sleeping, this is known as sleep apnea. Dental professionals can diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and recommend treatments to open the airways, such as CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, adaptive servo-ventilation machines (ASV), and oral appliances (night guards) that move the lower jaw forward. Mild cases of sleep apnea have been related to improvement through lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, changing the way you sleep, and avoiding alcohol before night. Surgery is frequently the next step if non-invasive methods of treating sleep apnea fail. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a frequent surgery used to treat sleep apnea by removing excess tissue from the soft palate and throat. Jaw and nose surgery are two other possibilities.
Treatment of a Root Canal
When the dental pulp, the soft tissue at the center of a tooth, becomes infected, a root canal is frequently advised. The pulp provides the tooth with the nerves, connective tissue, and blood arteries it needs to survive. Pain, edema, and temperature sensitivity are all possible side effects of infection. Your dentist will take an x-ray of your teeth and study it for signs of pulp infection. Tooth decay, a cracked tooth, or an injury to the tooth are common causes of pulp damage. In order to do root canal therapy, local anesthetic is first used to numb the problematic tooth, and then an aperture is drilled through the crown of the tooth to get access to the root canal. After your dentist has gained access, he or she will use special files to remove the diseased pulp tissue. After the root canals have been cleansed, the tooth is filled with gutta-percha. When the canal is filled, a temporary filling will be placed in the tooth’s crown. Following a root canal, your dentist will advise you on what to do next to restore the tooth’s health.
Mouth Cancer
Surgery is a common method of treatment for oral cancer. Many different surgical procedures may be suggested, depending on the area and stage of the disease. Every time you go to the dentist, you are checked for oral cancer since it’s easier to treat if found early.
Diet After Oral Surgery: What to Expect
After oral surgery, patients are advised to eat soft, room-temperature meals. In order to promote healthy recovery, it is recommended that you refrain from smoking, eating tough or chewy foods, and using a straw. It is recommended that you have someone pick you up after your visit and drive you home after certain operations.
Things to Anticipate Upon Getting Better
Recovery is a crucial phase following any kind of surgical surgery. If you want to speed up the healing process, you should probably lay off the cigarettes and booze. Healing might be aided by performing salt water rinses at home every few hours. See your dentist right away if you experience any symptoms that linger longer than your dentist has said they should.
We have over 40 multi-specialty dental locations located throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, staffed by highly trained dentists who offer a full spectrum of dental care. Our dental staff is kind and kind, and we want you to feel at ease while in our care. Schedule a visit with your neighborhood Gentle Dentistry office now.
| Homepage | Click Here |
| Dental Knowledge | Click Here |