2 Common Oral Surgeries

by Stacy Nelson

If you are experiencing problems with your teeth, gums, or jaw, you may need oral surgery. Oral surgeons perform a variety of procedures.

Here are two common types of oral surgery and what they involve.

Dental Extraction

A dental extraction involves the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Extraction may be necessary for several reasons, including:

  • Severe decay or infections that cannot be treated with a filling or root canal procedure.
  • Gum disease that has damaged the supporting bone and tissues around the tooth.
  • Impacted teeth that are trapped beneath the gums, causing pain, swelling, or infection.
  • Dental trauma that has irreparably fractured or knocked out a tooth.
  • Orthodontic treatment that requires the removal of some teeth to create space for alignment.

Tooth extractions are usually performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area around the tooth. The oral surgeon loosens the tooth with a special instrument and then pulls it out with forceps. Sometimes, a small incision in the gum may be needed to access the tooth.

Once the tooth is removed, the oral surgeon cleans the socket and places a gauze pad over it to stop the bleeding. They may also stitch the gums to close the wound if necessary.

Implant Surgery

Another common oral surgery is the placement of dental implants. During the procedure, artificial tooth roots are inserted into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. Dentists often suggest implants for people who have lost one or more teeth due to decay, disease, or injury.

The implantation surgery involves several steps and may take a few months to complete. First, the dental surgeon places the dental implants into your jawbone through small cuts in your gingival tissue. The posts are made of titanium, a biocompatible metal that fuses with your bone over time. You will need to wait several weeks or months for the implant posts to heal and integrate with your jawbone. During the healing period, you will likely wear temporary teeth or dentures to fill the gaps in your smile.

Once the healing period, which is called osseointegration, is complete, the surgeon attaches abutments to the implant posts. These devices are connectors that allow the replacement teeth to attach to the implants. The abutments are secured with screws and protrude above your gums.

Once the abutments are in place, the replacement teeth, which can be crowns, bridges, or dentures, are added. The results are quite natural-looking since the replacement teeth are custom-designed to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth.

To learn about more oral surgeries, contact a dental surgeon in your local area.

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