What can an Oral Surgeon do for Me?

At one point or another, most people have problems with their oral health which will require an oral surgeon to fix. Even though undergoing oral surgery might sound scary to a patient, it is something that dentist do very often, so there is no reason for concern.

How oral surgeons improve oral health

Some of the most common procedures oral surgeons perform include:

Tooth extraction

Tooth extraction is a very common procedure for an oral surgeon. Extractions are performed to prevent the spread of decay and gum disease when a tooth is too damaged to be salvaged or when there is no room in the mouth for a tooth to erupt properly. Visible teeth are extracted using forceps, but surgery is usually required if the tooth is stuck under the gums.

Dental implants

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Unlike dentures, which sit on the top of the gums, implants are fused to the jaw bone. This is before an artificial tooth is screwed to the top to restore the appearance of the patient’s teeth. The implants, which act as tooth roots, also stimulate bone growth and help to preserve the patient’s facial structure.

Bone grafting

This is another procedure that is commonly performed by an oral surgeon. Bone grafting is usually performed on people who want to get dental implants but do not have enough bone mass in their jaw to hold the implant in place. The procedure is used to take some bone from one part of the body and use it to increase the density of the bone in the jaw.

Apicoectomy

This procedure is performed if a root canal is not sufficient enough to stop the spread of the infection from the dead nerve inside a tooth. During the procedure, the dentist will remove the infected portion of the tooth roots to get rid of the infection before filling the root to prevent future infections.

Corrective jaw surgery

Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is used to correct conditions with the jaw and face, which include the misalignment of jaws and teeth. The surgery can be used to fix speaking and breathing problems as well as bite problems and sleep apnea.

Root amputation and dental hemisection

Root amputation refers to the surgical removal of one root if a tooth is multi-rooted. If one or more tooth roots become infected or there is significant bone loss around the tooth, a dentist may refer their patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an oral surgery procedure known as hemisection. During the procedure, the oral surgeon will remove half of the tooth, leaving a serviceable one-rooted tooth.

Crown lengthening procedures

Before a crown is placed on a tooth that is cracked, broken or has been weakened by decay, a dentist may refer their patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a crown lengthening procedure. This will ensure that the tooth’s structure will be able to securely hold the crown in place.

Conclusion

Oral surgeons fix problems people have with their mouths, helping to ensure their optimal oral health. If you have oral health problems that might require surgery, schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon to determine the best way to fix the problem.

Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.

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