When is an Oral Surgery Procedure Necessary?

Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure done on the jaw, mouth or facial muscles. A dentist can use procedures to correct different types of oral issues. There is no reason to be apprehensive if the dentist recommends surgery; it does not always mean there is a serious dental problem. The procedure is mostly routine and necessary to restore oral health.

When is oral surgery necessary?

Oral surgery is usually necessary in the following cases:

Wisdom teeth extraction

Having wisdom teeth can be problematic. Considering their position at the back of the mouth, it is usually hard to clean them properly. This puts them at high risk of cavities since food particles and plaque tend to accumulate on them faster than other teeth.

Once a wisdom tooth is affected by decay, it could lead to persistent toothaches, tooth sensitivity and infection. The dentist will typically recommend having teeth removed when the issues start. Even if there are no cavities, an extraction might still be necessary because wisdom teeth tend to cause issues if there is not enough space on the jaw for them.

The placement of dental implants

If a tooth is lost or needs to be removed due to an infection or damage, the dentist might recommend installing a dental implant to replace it. During the procedure, a screw-like titanium post is placed inside the jawbone to support a replacement tooth permanently. Often, the surgery may require bone grafting procedures to increase the density and strength of the jawbone to support the implant.

Biopsies

If the dentist finds a suspicious oral lesion, a biopsy is usually used to diagnose or rule out oral cancer—early detection increases the chances of successful treatment. A biopsy entails removing a small sample of oral tissues for laboratory analysis.

Reconstructive surgery

A person that has experienced facial injuries may have problems performing basic life functions, such as speaking and eating. Their appearance may also be affected. Oral surgery procedures are often necessary to repair facial structures, reimplant knocked-out teeth, rebuild the jawbone or remove severely damaged teeth. Other conditions that may necessitate oral surgery include:

Corrective jaw surgery – when the jaws are misaligned or have an issue, it may cause eating and speaking difficulties, headaches and jaw pain. When conservative treatments do not effectively correct jaw disorders, corrective jaw surgery can be done to realign the jaws and improve their function and appearance.

Snoring and sleep apnea – the dentist may recommend removing extra tissues in the back of the throat as part of sleep apnea treatment.

Cleft lip or palate – these congenital deformities are common all over the world. With proper surgical treatment, the dentist can help the child live a healthy, normal life.

Final note

Regardless of the nature of the dental condition you are dealing with, it is advisable to contact the general dentist to talk about your dental health problems and the potential solutions. If necessary, a dental professional will recommend oral surgery to resolve the problem.

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