Oral surgery is a type of dentistry that involves the surgical or invasive treatment of teeth, gums, and other soft tissues of the mouth. At Collins Dental, an oral surgeon often removes wisdom teeth and performs dental implant placement and bone grafting procedures. Our dentists may also perform corrective jaw surgery to correct TMJ disorder. Or, they may treat oral cancer or other conditions affecting your oral cavity. If your tooth is severely infected, you may need a referral to an oral surgeon who can perform the procedure. This helps prevent the infection from spreading and causing further damage.
Your dentist may recommend an oral surgical procedure for several reasons, such as to remove wisdom teeth or treat gum disease. If your wisdom teeth have not appropriately grown or have impacted wisdom teeth that are causing you pain or discomfort, you may need to see your oral surgeon for the procedure. They may not come in correctly, grow on an angle, impact other teeth, cause damage, or induce an infection.
You may also need an extraction if you have a tooth that cannot be saved with root canal therapy. Or you may need surgery if your doctor needs access to your jawbone to prepare it for dental implants. Dental implants are another standard procedure for oral surgeons to complete. You may be a good candidate for a dental implant if you miss any permanent teeth. They can typically last for the rest of your life if you care for them properly. Implants are made up of a titanium post that is placed into the jawbone. An artificial tooth is then attached to the post permanently in your mouth. A dental implant is a good option if you’ve lost a tooth due to an injury, gum disease, tooth decay, or other reasons. Many people also undergo oral surgery to correct their bite.
Overall, oral surgery treats any issues of the mouth or teeth that result in pain or other complications for the patient. These issues include impacted wisdom teeth, temporomandibular disorders, and jaw misalignment. While the problem may be severe and painful enough to cause the patient to miss work or other activities, the good news is that oral surgery can correct these issues quickly and easily.
Many patients who undergo oral surgery report improved quality of life after their procedure. Some patients return to work; others can normally eat again. Many people experience improved mental health after healing from oral surgery, as they are no longer in pain and have more positive feelings about their appearance.
When undergoing any oral surgery, following all post-operative instructions provided by your dentist to maximize successful treatment and healing is essential. For the best dental care, visit Collins Dental at 1900 7th St, Las Vegas, NM 87701, or call (505) 425-3331.