Oral Surgery

 Oral surgery is sometimes required for more serious dental problems, but the good news is that it will always be painless, thanks to a wide range of anesthetic options from which you can choose.

There are many conditions that can require surgery and the most common is for advanced gum infections, which need to have the gums peeled back to be able to scrape off the sticky bacterial film known as plaque, which forms around food particles that were not removed by brushing and flossing.

Tooth extractions are also frequently necessary, either because teeth were loosened in an accident or due to inadequate brushing and flossing that caused an infection to pull the gums away from their support, so they have to be removed and replaced with implants, bridges, or dentures. Some extractions can be complex because of the shape of the tooth, the depth of the roots, or its location.

In their late teens, patients often need their wisdom teeth (the third molars in the very back of upper and lower arches on both sides) removed because they cause overcrowding of the other teeth, making the area difficult to clean. If wisdom teeth only partially erupt they can cause inflammation and infection.

Dental implants are the surgical insert into the jawbone of a biocompatible screw that integrates with the bone over a period of several months. Once that is complete, it is attached to a dental crown, which is an artificial tooth. If many teeth are missing in the upper or lower arch, just four implants can anchor a platform with artificial teeth, known as an All-on-4, which can stop bone erosion as an alternative to dentures. In some cases, there is not enough jawbone to support implants, in which case a bone graft is necessary before an implant can be placed.

Sleep apnea refers to an apnea, a brief, but frequent, pause in breathing, often caused by a large tongue or other oral tissue blocking the airway. The primary symptom is frequent and loud snoring. The pause disrupts sleep, although the individual is not aware of it, but suffers the consequences, such as being very sleepy all day. This can lead to vehicle accidents and inability to stay awake at work. Surgery can remove the blockage.

There are many other uses for oral surgery, some of which require referral to a specialist. If you feel you may have a problem that could benefit from this skill, call for a full dental examination and consultation today.