Common Reasons You Might Need Oral Surgery

Have you been delaying oral surgery? It’s not always easy to think about surgery, but the reality is oral surgery can improve the form and function of your mouth and eliminate uncomfortable symptoms like jaw pain.

According to the 2000 Surgeon General’s Report, oral surgery can support your oral health in ways that non-surgical treatments just can’t do.

Don’t let the fear of transferring to an outside provider keep you from getting the care you need. At SPA Dental Group, our experienced team of providers performs your oral surgery on-site in either our New York City or Washington, D.C. locations. We understand the transformative power of oral surgery, and we want to provide the highest level of care from diagnosis to surgery and beyond.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons you might need oral surgery.

You might consider oral surgery if...

Oral surgery can be broken down into two groups:

Maxillofacial surgery
Dentoalveolar surgery

Maxillofacial surgeries focus on the head, neck, face, jaw -- including both hard and soft tissue. On the other hand, dentoalveolar surgery refers to surgery that impacts your teeth and the supporting structures (like gums) in your mouth. Tooth extractions are a type of dentoalveolar surgery.

Here are four examples of when you might benefit from oral surgery.

1. You need a tooth extracted

There are many reasons why you might need a tooth extracted. Common reasons include:

Impacted or crowded wisdom teeth
Broken or severely damaged teeth that can’t be otherwise repaired
Removal of a badly decayed tooth
Preparation to receive a dental implant

Sometimes a single tooth can be extracted in a simple procedure in the dentist’s chair. However, surgical techniques may be required in more complex tooth extraction cases. Wisdom tooth removal can be complex, especially if the tooth (or teeth) is below the gumline.

2. You have a jaw problem

Corrective jaw surgery can address a range of issues with your jaw. If joint problems cause chronic pain when eating or speaking, you might benefit from corrective surgery. Jaw surgery can also be used to improve jaw alignment or treat a broken jaw.

3. You need a bone augmentation

In order for a dental implant to be successful, you need plenty of healthy jaw bone. The dental implant (specifically the titanium rod) fuses to your jaw bone in a process called osseointegration. This bond created a strong, stable foundation for your new tooth.

If you don’t have enough healthy jaw bone, a surgical procedure called a bone augmentation can help you achieve your goal of receiving implants.

4. You’re getting implants

Dental implants are surgically implanted into your jaw. While this isn’t a minimally invasive procedure, it does restore both the form and function of your mouth. Because the dental implants are surgically implanted, there’s no need to hassle with removable dentures or fuss with cleaning around bridges.

Implant surgeries can also vary. You may have an extraction and implant placed at the same time. You might need a sinus lift first. Your specific surgical treatment plan will be determined based on your specific oral health needs, how many procedures you need (e.g., sinus lift, etc.), and your general health.

Preparing for oral surgery

Each surgery is different, which means your preparation plans will vary too. Your oral surgery may be a simple, straightforward procedure with just a local anesthetic. More complex surgeries may require general anesthesia. Regardless of what type of surgery you need, rest assured you’ll feel comfortable. Surgeries are performed in our clinic, and our experienced team will be with you every step of the way.

If you have questions about oral surgery and would like to learn more, give us a call. Visit our website to request an appointment at either of SPA Dental Group locations.