Most people are don’t know a lot about oral surgery. Usually, a person will become familiar with their oral surgeon during a wisdom teeth extraction. Don’t limit oral surgery to just wisdom teeth, though, it is a broad field that specializes in many different procedures.
Check out these procedures to see if oral surgery might be something you should look into.
Dental Implants
If you have ever lost a permanent tooth, dental implantation may have been a solution suggested by your dentist. When you lose a permanent tooth it causes a wide variety of issues for the rest of your mouth.
Your teeth begin to shift, become crooked, and damage your bite. Problems can arise from an improper bite, like difficulty chewing food properly or an unnecessary strain on your jaw. Dental implants are meant to counter these obstacles.
By inserting titanium roots, a dental implant works to replace the empty tooth socket. They are much more effective than bridges and dentures because they are better suited to maintain the health of your other teeth.
Dental implants are a great option when placed in a bad situation.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
A wisdom tooth is another molar located in the back of your jaw. They develop between the ages of 15 and 25 and usually require extraction before they damage the placement of other teeth.
Typically, a person will have between two and four wisdom teeth that they need to have removed. It is important to consult with an oral surgeon about wisdom teeth removal as it is necessary procedure for a majority of patients.
TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is caused by dysfunctional activity of a joint in someone’s jaw. It happens mainly to young adults when they experience an extra growth spurt around their early twenties.
The disorder can cause stress in the jaw which results in pain when chewing or speaking. To combat this disorder, doctors will usually recommend a conservative treatment. Only 20% of TMJ have cases that are severe enough to require surgery.
In those instances, an oral surgeon will perform a light surgery to correct your jaw and relieve strain on the joint.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery is a surgery corrects irregular conditions of the jaw or face.
There is a wide variation of reasons that someone would get corrective jaw surgery including, TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, and cleft palate. Jaw surgery is usually accompanied with braces before or after the procedure as well as retainers and other appliances that correct or hold your teeth in place.
Side effects of corrective jaw surgery are minimal but include inflammation and excessive bleeding. The most dangerous side effect is permanent numbness on areas of the jaw.
Your oral surgeon will be able to discuss the risks and rewards of certain procedures.
What Should I Do?
If you think that any of these procedures are something that would be beneficial for you, schedule an appointment at your dental office. Your dentist will be able to refer you an oral surgery clinic that can determine the right course of action for your health.
Remember, dental health is time sensitive so get in contact with a doctor right away.
