Many people go their entire lives without needing oral surgery — but for others, the time will come when surgery is the recommended approach to protect oral and overall health. It’s especially common for older teens, who often require wisdom teeth removal. So, is it time for you to schedule an oral surgery? Let’s take a look at some of the most common procedures for your oral health.
Common Oral Surgeries
Oral and maxillofacial surgery entails procedures of the jaw, teeth, gums, tongue, palate, or neck to repair or enhance the health and/or appearance of your mouth and the surrounding structures.
The most common oral procedure is the tooth extraction — especially wisdom teeth removal. Older teens often need to have these third molars removed after they become infected or impacted. Wisdom tooth removal heals or prevents infection and protects the surrounding teeth from overcrowding or moving around. Additionally, one or two crowded teeth may need to be extracted before braces. Teeth that are too far gone to rescue with root canal will need to be removed, too.
If you have lost or require the removal of one or more teeth, dental implants replace them better than any other option currently available. Your oral surgeon places each dental implant beneath the gum line, and the titanium posts fuse with the jawbone over a recovery period of several months.
When the jaw doesn’t function properly, eating and speaking can be difficult, painful chores. Orthognathic (jaw) surgery improves the alignment of the upper and lower jaw to help them open and close pain-free. TMJ treatment relieves a clicking, popping jaw.
Oral surgery also includes repair of a cleft palate or lip, the congenital developmental abnormality in which the roof of the mouth, the dental arch, and the lips do not join properly. Severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with oral surgery, too.
When You Need Oral Surgery
Some common indicators suggesting the need for oral surgery include…
- An aching, infected tooth
- Painful jaw
- Congenital abnormalities
- Severe sleep apnea
- Tooth crowding
- Tooth replacement with dental implants
After-Care Following Oral Surgery
No matter the procedure you’re having performed, you are likely to experience the symptoms related to any oral surgery. Pain, minimal bleeding, and swelling are all to be expected. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely to enjoy a speedy recovery as comfortably as possible.
- Keep your head elevated
- Plan to rest and relax
- Take all medications and antibiotics as prescribed
- Maintain a soft foods diet
- Brush and floss teeth as normal (unless otherwise instructed)
In general, if you follow our directions and don’t have any unexpected complications, you should be back to normal after about a week (depending on the procedure). Let your oral surgeon know ASAP if your symptoms do not subside or if they worsen after a few days.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Do you need oral surgery? Whether you’ve been told you need a specialist by your general dentist or you’re seeking an oral surgeon on your own, the team at Piney Point is prepared for your case. Request an appointment online today!