What Are the Most Common Reasons a Patient May Need Oral Surgery? What Are the Most Common Reasons a Patient May Need Oral Surgery?

Oral Surgery can seem a little intimidating and there are certainly some procedures that are a little more involved but many are very straightforward and can be done right in your Dentist's office. Some are necessary to relieve symptoms, some to prevent something that may happen in the future, and others to replace or restore function to a tooth that has been lost or damaged. We are going to share a little about various conditions you may have before considering Alamo Oral Surgery.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Why would a person go to an oral surgeon? The most frequent opportunity an patient could need an oral surgeon is the removal of wisdom teeth, or third molars. Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars; each person's wisdom teeth develop differently, and wisdom teeth are susceptible to complications such as becoming impacted (trapped in the jawbone), erupting at an angle or only erupting part of the way.

Teeth That Are Extremely Chipped Or Infected

If the tooth is broken off too short or heavily infected, Root Canal or filling alone are not enough. If the tooth is badly broken or infected, removing the tooth will eliminate the infection and relieve the pain. If the broken tooth is at the gum line or has a curved root, it may be necessary to remove the tooth surgically.

Lack of Teeth and Implant Placement

Just about every time you lose a tooth, your jaw loses bone from the area of the missing tooth. When you get implants, these are implanted into the jawbone, and they hold crowns, bridges or dentures much like the roots of teeth would, supporting them. One of the most common reasons for a patient to decide to have oral surgery is for implants, which can provide that much-needed stability for the patient and which would give the bone a reason to stay strong.

Bone Grafting

As you become toothless, the jaw bone begins to dissolve and shrink, and the width and the height of the bone may be reduced, which can make locating the implant problematic. A bone graft procedure will be done to fill in the voids in your jawbone and to promote new bone growth. In some cases, a bone graft can be inserted right after an extraction to seal off the socket.

Oral Alignment Problems

The jaws are sometimes out of alignment. When they are repositioned to bring the mouth into correct biting, the function of the jaws when used for chewing and speaking may return to normal as well. When used in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, repositioning the jaws (for back-bite, over-bite or under-growth) may restore harmony and functioning, improving the comfort and appearance of the face.

Facial Trauma and Injuries

A sports or other injury or fall can chip, break or dislocate your teeth or jaw, or tear your soft tissue. Your oral surgeon can mend broken bones, reposition teeth and stitch cuts inside and outside the mouth. Prompt treatment can help speed your healing and preserve your function and your smile.

Cysts, Tumors and Other Unusual Growths

A gum specialist may also find a cyst or abnormal tissue on your dental x-ray or in a routine gum examination. Even if they are not harmful, the growths can be examined. Tissue can be taken to a biopsy by an oral surgeon and you will get a definitive answer. The sooner the better.

Gum & Soft Tissue Conditions

Gums may need a dental surgery to remedy some conditions. You can undergo gum tissue deep cleaning if you've had gum disease before and even have your gums shaped via gum surgery and the infection areas treated. You can even have gum grafts if your gums have receded.

Jaw Joint Issues

There are many possible manifestations of TMJ pain, clicking, locking or limited jaw joint movement may all result from TMJ disorders. The good news is that most cases will improve with nonoperative treatment procedures including mouthpieces, therapy and medication. Surgery can be performed for advanced cases where pain management can be achieved.