No one ever expects to need dental surgery, but sometimes there’s no way to avoid it. Like with problematic wisdom teeth, one of the most common dental procedures. Oral and maxillofacial surgery improves the health and function of your oral structures, including your teeth, jaw, and your gums. Below, your oral surgeon in Houston has listed the most frequently-performed oral procedures along with what you can expect for each.
#1: Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are one of the most common oral surgeries. The tiny titanium cylinders are surgically implanted beneath the gum line, where they gradually fuse with the jawbone over a period of four to six months. Dental implants are the only whole-tooth replacement option available today, replacing your missing tooth as well as its supporting root.
Pre-prosthetic surgery may be necessary to prepare the mouth for a partial or complete denture. Smoothing, reshaping, or removing parts of the jaw bone and removing tissue from the gum improve the fit of the prosthetic.
#2: Orthodontic Surgeries
The proper alignment of the jaw is important for proper eating, speaking, and breathing. When something is off with the way your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) functions, you may also experience chronic pain, tingling extremities, and a jaw that clicks or pops. An orthodontic operation realigns your jaw by repositioning to improve the way it fits together. People who undergo this procedure are freed from the pain of an aching TMJ and enjoy longer-lasting orthodontic results.
Additionally, people may need a tooth removed to make room for the realignment of the teeth. Tooth extraction of primary or permanent teeth is a common orthodontic surgery.
#3: Root Canal Therapy
Also known as endodontic treatment, root canal therapy is usually the last step for saving a tooth before its extraction is necessary. Some general dentists are qualified to perform root canal therapy, but oral surgeons are highly experienced in performing endodontic treatment. To save a tooth with a root canal, all infected tissue is removed from its interior. The root canals are reshaped, and the tooth is refilled with a biocompatible material. A sturdy dental crown or filling restores the tooth’s strength. Root canal therapy is often combined with antibiotic therapy for full healing, and requires two to three visits to the doctor.
#4: Tooth Extraction
The removal of wisdom teeth is very common in patients between ages 16 and 24. These third molars rarely have enough space in the gum line to erupt smoothly. Impacted and infected wisdom teeth cause pain, swelling, and potential orthodontic issues. Patients may need the removal of anywhere from one to all of their wisdom teeth.
A seriously decayed or injured tooth may also need to be taken out. We try to save teeth from extraction with root canal therapy, but sometimes it’s just not possible.
Learn More Today from Your Houston Oral Surgeon!
If you’d like to learn more about a specific dental procedure, or to schedule an appointment for your own surgery, please get in touch with Piney Point Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery today. Dr. Weil and Dr. Koo are the oral surgeons Houston trusts!