Oral surgery may sound daunting; however, it is often necessary in order to combat serious problems. The term refers to a surgical procedure performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.
There are a number of oral surgeries performed on a daily basis, each with their own goal in mind. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that everyone maintains good oral health. Keep reading to find out who may need oral surgery and why.
The need for oral surgery
Outlined below are a few situations that affect people every day. When these problems are present, oral surgery may be required to correct and resolve. Keep reading to learn more!
Missing teeth
Individuals that have missing teeth will likely need to undergo oral surgery in order to have them replaced. The best way to replace missing teeth is with dental implants and placement does require oral surgery as the implants have to be placed beneath the bone in order to fuse.
Wisdom teeth, eruption or impaction
When the wisdom teeth erupt, they can become impacted, which can result in a lot of pain and serious complications. Individuals who experience impaction will need oral surgery in order to avoid permanent, irreversible damage to the oral cavity. Additionally, the procedure will eliminate any pain that resulted from the impact.
Aside from actual impaction, when the wisdom teeth erupt, there may be other complications, such as forcing other teeth to shift, which can lead to crowding. Regardless, the dentist may recommend oral surgery.
Lesions that may indicate oral cancer
Past the age of 40, it is advised that everyone is screened for oral cancer. If any lesions are detected by the general dentist, then oral surgery may be required in order to have the lesions biopsied. This type of oral surgery is far less invasive than wisdom tooth removal or implant placement; however, it does require general anesthesia and a day or two off.
Other health conditions
Other people who may need oral surgery could be sufferers of sleep apnea or TMD. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can be detrimental to one's health. While CPAP machines and oral appliances are attempted first, some just do not respond well to these treatments. Additionally, if the condition is severe then oral surgery may be needed to correct the airway blockage.
TMD, on the other hand, refers to a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the rest of the skull. Again, oral appliances, muscle relaxers, and physical therapy are all attempted to treat TMD first. However, these treatment avenues are not always successful. Oral surgery may be required to correct the dysfunction of the joint.
Find out more
When suffering from any of the conditions described above, it is recommended to visit a general dentist. The dentist can evaluate the problem at hand and make an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan, which may very well include oral surgery. This initial appointment also allows for questions and concerns to be addressed. To learn more, reach out today,
Request an appointment here: https://escondidofamilydentistry.com/ or call Escondido Family Dental Care & Specialty Center at (760) 747-7223 for an appointment in our Escondido office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Surgery in Escondido, CA.
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