The Dental Details on Oral Surgery

If your dentist says you need oral surgery, there’s no need to worry, but you may start to wonder what you should expect. Once you know what’s involved, you’ll feel much better about getting better.

An Overview of Oral Surgery

While its name evokes thoughts of a hospital, oral surgery is a part of dentistry and most procedures are performed by oral surgeons in dental offices. There are various types of oral surgery involving the teeth, the jaw, and parts of the mouth.

Let’s Talk About Tooth Extractions

This is the most common form of oral surgery and it may be required for these reasons:

• When wisdom teeth are impacted or partially erupted
• If tooth decay, trauma, or fracture have injured teeth beyond repair
• To remove baby teeth so permanent teeth can come in
• For optimal results from orthodontic treatment

The Case for Corrective Jaw Surgery

The jaw plays an important part in oral health and when problems appear, jaw surgery can correct these concerns. While dentists typically discover the problem, the procedure is performed by oral surgeons. Your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for the following problems:

• TMJ or temporomandibular joint pain
• Dental dysfunction caused by trauma or deformation
• Malocclusion or incorrect bite
• Incorrect jaw position that causes disproportionate facial appearance
• Jaw clenching
• Teeth grinding that has caused excessive wear
• Difficulty eating, chewing, talking, or simply opening and closing the mouth

The Details on Dental Implants

If you want to replace missing teeth or make a denture more secure, then dental implants may be just what the dentist ordered. They have become increasingly common in recent years for the major difference they make in your confidence and comfort. The procedure involves placing a dental implant into the jaw and can be performed by either dentists or oral surgeons. A week of recovery is usually required before returning to normal activities.

Detection and Treatment of Diseases

Oral cancer is a serious disease and often goes unnoticed unless your dentist detects a problem with your mouth, jaw, face, or neck. If anything suspicious is noticed, a biopsy may be ordered to spot any signs of oral cancer. Treatment typically involves some type of oral surgery and possible radiation therapy to remove all traces of trouble.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Miami, call Miami Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry today at (305) 306-9250 or make an appointment.