Oral surgery may be necessary when common dental procedures or appliances cannot solve your dental complication. In order to help you understand when a dental professional recommends oral surgery, we have outlined some of the most common reasons for needing this type of dental care.
The oral surgeon will recommend an extraction if a tooth is impacted or considered beyond saving due to injury, decay, or disease. Impacted teeth develop when there is not enough room to erupt through the gums. Oral surgeons often see impacted wisdom teeth, but they can also result from:
Tooth decay occurs when the mouth produces acids that attack the tooth’s enamel. The acid can dissolve the enamel and cause cavities to form and destroy each layer down to the nerve. Dental injuries that have caused significant damage to the tooth, such as breaks or chips, that the oral surgeon cannot repair with general restoration options such as a filling, crown, or onlay.
Gum disease is the inflammation of the gums, usually due to poor oral hygiene. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to bone loss around the teeth, making them more likely to become loose and fall out or break. Untreated gum disease can also increase the chances of a patient developing periodontitis. Periodontitis, unlike gum disease, is not reversible; it is an infection that destroys the tissue surrounding the gums and eventually causes them to recede away from their roots completely.
Corrective jaw surgery is used to correct severe malocclusions, such as an underbite, overbite, or jaw misalignments, that traditional orthodontic appliances, like braces, could not correct. During the surgery, the surgeon will remove excess bone and reposition the jawbone to sit properly when the patient bites down. The surgeon will also position the teeth into more appropriate positions so that the upper and lower arch align properly when smiling.
Sleep apnea surgery involves removing the excess tissue from the throat to widen it and help keep airways open during sleep. This type of oral surgery aims to allow the patient’s body to take in enough oxygen on its own while in a restful state. Sleep apnea is when the upper airway becomes blocked while the patient is sleeping or in a restful state. This can lead to snoring, low oxygen levels, daytime fatigue, as well as other symptoms, such as memory problems. A dental professional may provide equipment to help improve sleep apnea symptoms at home, but only an oral surgeon may conduct sleep apnea surgery.
A cleft lip is a split in the upper lip, and a cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth. Both conditions occur during fetal development when there is an abnormal growth of facial tissues before birth. They can be unilateral or bilateral, affecting one side of the face or both sides equally. In addition, to these physical abnormalities, patients with cleft lip or a cleft palate may also have trouble swallowing food or liquids due to the shape of the deformity; this can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time if not treated properly.
Oral surgery is a very common procedure that is performed every day. Oral surgeons use it to treat a wide range of conditions, including those not mentioned above. If you have concerns about your oral health, including facial and jaw-related, contact us today. We can schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon to determine an effective treatment plan.
Request an appointment here: https://www.montgomerycountyperio.com or call Montgomery County Periodontal Associates at (281) 404-7548 for an appointment in our The Woodlands office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Surgery in The Woodlands, TX.
People who are seeking healthy gums but are dealing with challenges with gingivitis can see an expert periodontist, a dental professional who has studied the structures that support the teeth. These include the gums, the jawbone itself, and the ligaments that help hold the teeth in place.Periodontists are trained dentists who focus their attention on…
Periodontists work closely with the supportive structures of the mouth, such as the gums, so it likely comes as no surprise that dental implants are among the most common treatments that they can provide. Dental implants can be an exciting possibility for those seeking long-term tooth replacement options that stimulate their gums just like natural…
The jawbone is the part of the face that holds many essential elements together, such as the teeth, ligaments, and muscles; however, bone grafting may sometimes be necessary if the jawbone is too weak to perform these tasks. A person’s jawbone can deteriorate over time, whether due to age, genetics, poor oral health, cancer, or…
All-on-4® implants offer patients a practical and effective solution for full-arch tooth replacement. When considering these implants, it can be beneficial to seek the expertise of a periodontist. Periodontists have the training and experience to install these implants, offering numerous benefits to those looking to improve the health and aesthetics of their smile.All-on-4 implants are…
Not everyone needs to see a periodontist, but if you do, you can rest assured…
Contact our office to explore whether you are eligible for dental implants and to schedule…
A person will typically need a bone graft when their jawbone does not have enough…
One of the primary benefits of seeking a periodontist for All-on-4 implants is their ability…
A periodontist can help correct your gummy smile by performing some effective procedures. Seeing your…
Gum grafting is used for gum recession and related problems in periodontal therapy.
