Oral surgery treats the root cause of oral health problems.
During your consultation, Dr. Anthony Nguyen will perform a thorough oral exam and take x-rays to get a closer look at signs of decay, bone destruction, and other issues that need to be treated.
After diagnosing the oral health issue, a treatment plan will be developed, whether it be an extraction, bone graft, or alveoloplasty. Dr. Nguyen will tell you how to prepare for this procedure.
We will administer local anesthesia before the start of the procedure. If necessary, we can also administer additional sedation. General anesthesia may be necessary for certain surgical procedures.
Dr. Nguyen will place gauze at the surgical site and ask you to bite down on them to stop the bleeding. Aftercare instructions will be given and additional follow-ups may be necessary to check on the success of the procedure.
Tooth extractions involve the removal of a tooth from the mouth due to damage, impaction, overcrowding, decay, infection, to make room to straighten the teeth, or to replace teeth with dental implants or dentures. There are two main types of extractions, which are simple and surgical.
A simple extraction is the removal of a tooth that is visible in the mouth and not trapped behind the gums. These teeth can be loosened with an elevator and removed with forceps without surgery.
A surgical extraction is needed for impacted teeth or teeth that have broken at the gum line. To access these teeth, we need to make an incision into the gums and may also need to cut some additional bone and soft tissue to make removing the tooth easier. From there, we loosen and remove the tooth just like a simple extraction.
A bone graft is when an incision is made into the jaw and a graft of bone is taken from elsewhere in the body and placed in the jaw bone to replace destroyed bone. This restores the strength and structure of the jaw bone after gum disease or tooth loss.
Another reason patients could need bone grafting is to support dental implants when they do not have sufficient jaw bone density. Patients who have experienced bone loss due to tooth loss without replacement, gum disease, or osteoporosis can prevent the sagging and changing facial structure that bone loss causes.
This is a procedure that reshapes the jaw bone to smooth out uneven bumps, fragments of bone that are still sticking out, or to make high and low points of a tooth socket even. After a tooth has been extracted, the socket is often uneven and needs to be reshaped before placing a tooth restoration such as dentures for a proper fit. Alveoloplasty accelerates healing, minimizes bleeding, and reshapes the jaw bone for a proper fit for tooth restorations.
You must avoid smoking after undergoing oral surgery.
Oral surgery is often necessary when dealing with issues that cannot be resolved through more conservative treatments. It encompasses a wide range of procedures, from tooth extractions to corrective jaw surgery.
One of the most common reasons for oral surgery is the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. These teeth often do not have enough room to emerge or develop normally, which can lead to pain, infection, or damage to adjacent teeth. In such cases, oral surgery is the most effective solution to prevent further complications.
Additionally, oral surgery may be needed to treat jaw-related problems, such as misalignment that affects chewing or speaking. Corrective jaw surgery can help realign the jaw, providing not only functional benefits but also improving facial appearance.
Oral surgery is also essential for patients who require dental implants. When teeth are lost due to decay, injury, or disease, implants provide a durable and aesthetically pleasing replacement option. Furthermore, oral surgery might be necessary for biopsies or removal of oral tumors, cysts, or lesions to ensure they are not malignant.
Whether oral surgery is covered by insurance largely depends on the specifics of your insurance plan and the nature of the procedure. Most dental insurance plans cover oral surgeries that are deemed medically necessary.
For example, if oral surgery is required to treat a condition that affects your overall health, such as an infection or an injury, it is more likely to be covered. Procedures like wisdom tooth extraction, particularly when impacted, are often considered necessary and may be covered.
However, cosmetic procedures, such as surgeries aimed solely at improving appearance without medical necessity, might not be covered. It's crucial to thoroughly review your dental insurance policy or speak with your insurance provider to understand what is included.
Additionally, some oral surgeries may fall under medical insurance rather than dental, especially if they involve more complex issues like jaw surgery. At ARTSCI Dental, we recommend contacting your insurance company before proceeding with any oral surgery to confirm coverage and discuss any potential out-of-pocket costs.
The most common oral surgery is the extraction of wisdom teeth. These third molars typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood and are often problematic due to insufficient space in the mouth. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can lead to pain, infection, and damage to other teeth, making their removal necessary. This procedure is so prevalent that many people undergo it as a preventive measure, even if their wisdom teeth are not currently causing issues.
Another common oral surgery is the placement of dental implants. As a long-term solution for missing teeth, dental implants involve the surgical insertion of a titanium post into the jawbone, which acts as a root for the replacement tooth. This procedure has gained popularity due to its durability and natural appearance.
Additionally, procedures like root canals, although often performed by general dentists, are also considered a type of oral surgery when complications arise that require surgical intervention.
The recovery time for oral surgery varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure, as well as the individual patient's healing capabilities. For simpler procedures like tooth extractions, including wisdom teeth, the initial recovery period is usually a few days to a week. During this time, patients may experience swelling, discomfort, and minor bleeding, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication and following the surgeon's aftercare instructions.
For more complex surgeries, such as jaw realignment or dental implant placement, the recovery period can be longer, potentially spanning several weeks to a few months. During this time, it's crucial to follow a soft diet, maintain oral hygiene, and attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing. At ARTSCI Dental, Dr. Anthony Nguyen provides detailed aftercare instructions tailored to each patient's specific needs to promote a smooth and efficient recovery process.
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