Oral Surgery – A Specialty That Addresses Issues Involving Your Mouth and Jaws
Oral surgery is the specialty that addresses issues involving your mouth and jaws. These surgeries may include dental implants, bone grafts, and other surgical procedures.
Most surgeons do their operations in their own offices but some use facilities in a hospital or doctor’s office. It is important to find out where you will have your procedure, as this can affect your cost and recovery time. Read on to know more.
Dental Implants
Dental implants restore lost teeth, giving patients back their full smile and chewing ability. Unlike bridges or removable dentures, they also preserve healthy teeth and jaw bones.
The procedure begins with a comprehensive exam, including dental X-rays and 3D images of the mouth and jaw. These are used to create a treatment plan. The surgical site is prepared by making an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone. Holes are drilled into the exposed bone to anchor the implant. An abutment is placed on the top of the implant, and finally, an artificial tooth (crown) is attached.
Most adults who are healthy enough for oral surgery can receive dental implants. However, it is important to have sufficient bone mass and not smoke or have uncontrolled chronic health conditions that could interfere with healing after the operation. It is also important to have good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Implants can last a lifetime with proper oral care, routine checkups, and maintenance.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting procedures can replace bone where it has been lost, and promote new bone growth in the areas that need it. This helps ensure a solid foundation for dental work, such as the placement of implants.
Your provider will graft bone from another site in your mouth (autograft), a human tissue bank (allograft), or a bovine animal tissue bank (xenograft). The graft material is then inserted into the area that needs more bone. Depending on the type of procedure, special membranes may be used that dissolve under the gum protect the graft, and encourage regeneration.
After surgery, you will need to keep the surgical area clean and follow your provider’s instructions for care. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal side effects of the procedure that should fade in a few days. Taking pain relievers as directed will help ease your discomfort. You may be instructed to use a bone stimulator, which stimulates bone growth in the area of the graft.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Having your wisdom teeth removed can prevent future dental problems. The average mouth can only hold 28 teeth, so an extra set of molars can cause overcrowding and damage your other teeth by pushing them out of alignment. Infections and cysts can also develop.
Before your extraction, we will administer a local or general anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel pain. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home afterward because you will be groggy from the anesthesia.
Bleeding may occur after surgery, but it should stop within an hour if you apply pressure to the extraction site. You should avoid drinking carbonated beverages or using a mouthwash that contains alcohol, which can dislodge the blood clot and lead to complications. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage your discomfort and reduce swelling. Applying an ice pack for the first 24 hours can help reduce swelling as well. You should also eat soft foods and drink plenty of water to promote healing.
Jaw Surgery
As people grow, their upper and lower jaws develop at different rates. This can cause problems such as an open bite, asymmetry in facial features, or sleep apnea and sometimes requires corrective surgery.
During orthognathic surgery, the bone of your jaw — either the maxilla or mandible — is moved to change its position and shape. The surgeon may use surgical plates and screws to hold the new location. Wires and special rubber bands are also used to help guide the growth of new bone.
Before the procedure, your oral surgeon will provide you with detailed pre-surgical instructions. You will likely need to follow these to prepare for surgery, including preparing your recovery space and arranging for someone to drive you home afterward. During the recovery period, you will need to stick with soft foods and regularly rinse your mouth with salt water to prevent infection. You should also expect some swelling and pain. The doctor will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to help control these symptoms. Refer to This Web Page.