Oral Surgery With Your Comfort In Mind
People often feel anxious when they hear the word surgery, automatically thinking of hospitals, general anesthesia, and long recovery periods. However, not all surgeries are alike. Oral surgeries range from routine surgeries, such as tooth extractions, to more complex surgeries treating facial trauma.
Oral surgeries are performed by general dentists and specialty dentists, such as periodontists, endodontists, prosthodontists, and maxillofacial surgeons, depending on the nature and severity of the dental problem. To a large extent, oral surgeries are outpatient procedures usually performed under local anesthesia with recovery periods of a few days.
Contact our dental specialists at Vienna Family Dentistry & Implant Center to discuss whether oral surgery is right for you.
Oral Surgery Procedures
Common oral surgery procedures to relieve pain, treat infection, treat trauma, and restore the function and appearance of oral and facial structures include:
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Tooth Extractions – remove unsavable teeth due to decay, gum disease, impaction, overcrowding, or trauma.
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Dental Implants – serve as the best replacement for missing teeth; artificial tooth root is surgically placed into the jawbone; implant fuses with the jawbone to create a secure environment for later placement of a crown; implant and crown are joined by an abutment.
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Oral Diagnoses and Biopsies – assess oral health by studying a patient’s dental history along with a comprehensive oral examination and x-rays to identify oral issues and develop a treatment plan; sample tissues (biopsy) from suspicious areas of the mouth are removed to check for malignancy.
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Corrective Jaw Surgery – realigns the jaws so the teeth meet properly, thereby enhancing the function of the teeth and appearance of the face; performed by an oral surgeon.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Surgery – removes excess tissue from the throat to widen the airways and allow sleep apnea patients to breathe better; alternative to CPAP machines; reduces snoring.
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TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) Surgery – relieves chronic jaw pain.
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Facial Trauma Reconstructive Surgery – restores the function and appearance of the face, neck, and head after traumatic injury to bony and soft tissue.
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Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery – correct this common birth defect of the lip and roof of the mouth.
Preparing for Oral Surgery
Before any type of surgery, have a discussion with your healthcare professional. Know and understand the purpose of the surgery, along with the risks and benefits. Discuss available options for anesthesia. Disclose your current health conditions and all medications (prescribed and over-the-counter). Get x-rays to help with the diagnosis and treatment plan. Disclose whether you smoke. Ask questions! Being informed and educated about your surgery will make you feel more at ease and ensure the best results.