What are the different types of oral surgery?
– Tooth Extraction
You are probably familiar with this type of surgery. It involves the extraction of a decayed tooth that can no longer be saved.
If your dentist thinks that he can still save your tooth, he may do a root canal or tooth restoration. A root canal involves removing the infected nerve in place of the tooth. Tooth restoration involves restoring the tooth by using a crown.
– Removal of an Impacted Tooth
An impacted tooth is a molar or wisdom tooth, which does not surface completely.
When a wisdom tooth is too large, there may not be sufficient space in the gum line to contain the third molar. The wisdom tooth cannot surface to take its place with the other molars. It stays trapped (or impacted) between the jaw bone and the gum tissue. When this happens, the area is likely to become inflamed and painful. The gums, bone and adjacent teeth may become infected. The infection can spread. Cysts or tumors may develop. All these potential problems make it imperative for you to see a dentist about your impacted tooth.
– Dental Implants
If you have lost a tooth, you may want to consider having a dental implant to replace it. A dental implant provides both support and stability to a new denture.
You need to have certain qualities to be a good candidate for dental implants. You must have strong immunity to infections. You must have sufficient bone density to accommodate the dental implant. You must practice excellent dental hygiene.
Surgeries for Jaw-Related Diseases and Injuries
If your teeth are misaligned, you do not have to go through a surgical procedure to correct the improper alignment. You can use braces or orthodontic appliances to address the problem.
In the case of unbalanced jaw growth, however, surgery seems to be the appropriate solution. An oral surgeon uses surgery on your lower or upper jaw (or both) to achieve better functioning and positioning. A healthy and well-balanced jaw alignment prevents eating, swallowing and breathing problems.
TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder can cause headaches and face pain. It is possible to address some cases of TMJ by oral medications, physical therapy or splints. Cases that are more severe, however, may require surgery.
– Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
When the nasal cavity and the mouth of a fetus fail to properly develop during the early stages of fetal growth, the infant may be born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. An oral surgeon can repair the problem through surgery.
– Facial Reconstruction
An accident may result to fractured jaws and broken facial bones. An oral surgeon can use surgery to reconstruct the face.
– Biopsy
When tumors or cancer are suspected, oral surgery is usually undertaken to test sample tissue for cancer cells. Benign cysts and lesions are also removed through surgery.
– Surgery for Sleep Apnea
You can gain relief from sleep apnea through medication. However, if the problem is caused by oropharynx or jaw problems, medication will not be effective. The problem will have to be addressed through surgery.
