Oral surgery refers to a range of procedures that are performed to diagnose and treat oral issues through the use of surgical intervention. The following are examples of oral surgery procedures.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are one of the most common types of oral surgeries performed. A tooth or teeth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• Teeth that have experienced excessive decay, trauma, or root fracture and are beyond repair
• Partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth
• Primary teeth that do not fall out naturally, which then prevents permanent teeth from erupting
• Certain orthodontic treatment plans require removing teeth

Corrective Jaw Surgery

There are several instances where you dentist may recommend you undergo jaw surgery, including the following:

• Improper jaw position
• Grinding or clenching teeth that is causing tooth wear
• Difficulty talking, eating, chewing, or closing and opening the mouth
• TMJ or other issues related to deformation or trauma
• Malocclusion

Dental Implants

Patients who have missing teeth or who need to improve the stability of their dentures may opt to have a dental implant procedure. There are a variety of dental implant types, but they generally fall into two main categories: endosteal, which means the implant is placed in the jawbone, and subperiosteal, which are generally placed on top of your bone. The recovery process from a dental implant typically requires one week to return to normal function, but this recovery time and the specifics of the procedure will vary depending upon the severity of the patient’s case and what type of implant is used.

Detection and Treatment of Diseases

On average, 34,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Because oral cancer can be so difficult to detect, it is critical to schedule regular visits to your dentist, as they are trained to detect early warning signs and can provide treatment options before issues develop.

If your dentist does identify an area of your jaw, neck, face, or mouth that is suspicious, a biopsy can be performed, which involves removing a piece of the tissue for further diagnosis. If the prognosis is oral cancer, the most common treatment is radiation therapy in combination with oral surgery.

What Should I Expect if I Have Oral Surgery?

Prior to your oral surgery, your oral surgeon will provide you with an overview of what your procedure will involve and what steps you will need to take prior to and following surgery to ensure the procedure is a success and recovery time is as fast and effective as possible.

It is not uncommon for patients having oral surgery to receive anesthesia, which are generally classified as general or local. Patients who require general anesthesia may need to abstain from food and beverages prior to their surgery. It is also likely that you will need to have someone accompany you to the procedure so they can drive you home.

Once the anesthesia has been administered, the procedure will be performed. Following the procedure, your oral surgeon will provide you with post-operative care instructions. It is important to follow these instructions as closely as possible to ensure you do not develop an infection and that you heal as quickly as possible. It is also possible that you will need to follow a restricted diet until your jaw or mouth has fully healed.

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