What Types of Procedures Does an Oral Surgeon Perform?

Oral Surgeon Santa Maria, CA

In some cases, dental issues need to be handled by an oral surgeon. Before proceeding with oral surgery, the dental professional will examine your condition and decide the best approach to the problem. In most cases, the procedures are handled on an outpatient basis, and patients can get back to their routine within a few days.

Common oral surgery procedures

The following are common procedures performed by an oral surgeon.

Dental implant placement

Implants are a popular option to replace lost teeth, and their placement requires a surgical procedure. The implant is a titanium rod or screw that is inserted surgically into the patient’s jawbone. A form of tooth restoration, such as crown or denture, will be attached to the head of the implant via an abutment. This process occurs months after the implant placement, when the implant has fused with bone tissues.

Tooth extractions

Sometimes, a patient might need to have a tooth removed, and a simple extraction might not be effective. If this is the case, the oral surgeon will perform a surgical extraction. This entails making an incision into the gums to access the tooth and extract it. The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia. Common reasons for surgical tooth extraction include impacted wisdom teeth, severely broken teeth or extensive decay and infection.

Bone grafting

This surgical procedure is needed when a patient does not have adequate jawbone tissue. This could be due to a delay in replacing a missing tooth or an oral condition that causes the deterioration of the bone tissue. The dental professional may also perform bone grafting when a patient desires implants but does not have adequate bone tissue to hold the tooth prosthesis in place.

Corrective jaw surgery

Also known as orthognathic surgery, this procedure is done to correct a number of minor or major dental and skeletal anomalies, such as misaligned jaw. The treatment can improve the person’s ability to perform functions such as speaking, eating and breathing.

Facial reconstruction

Accidents are sometimes inevitable, and when damages occur to the face due to falls, sports injuries or work accidents, seeing an oral surgeon is usually the best option. They can perform surgery for facial reconstruction to correct the damages and improve appearance and function. Facial reconstruction from the dentist can be for soft tissue injuries and fractures.

Sleep apnea treatment

Surgery is sometimes a necessary intervention for sleep apnea. The condition can cause blockage in a person’s air passages while sleeping. This may cause disruptions to one’s sleep cycle because the body will stir recurrently out of sleep to restore breathing. Surgery can be done to remove excess soft tissues that are blocking the airways and may serve as a permanent treatment for some cases of sleep apnea.

In conclusion

The oral surgeon will provide instructions regarding the surgical procedure, including what to do before the procedure and what to expect. Book an appointment with the dental office to know if surgery is the right solution to your dental issue.

Request an appointment here: https://www.centralcoastoms.com or call Wilson Oral Surgery at (805) 910-1213 for an appointment in our Santa Maria office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Surgery in Santa Maria, CA.

Recent Posts

Are You Put To Sleep For Dental Implants

Missing or damaged teeth can impact people’s smiles and overall dental health, especially if the affected teeth cause pain or become infected, but dental implants can replace these teeth and eliminate certain oral health issues. Before patients seek out this procedure, it can be important to understand how anesthesia may be used to avoid any…

Types Of Dental Implants

A patient may invest in dental implants for a variety of different reasons, many of which focus on positively changing personal image and improving overall oral health. Implants are often applied when patients are missing one or more teeth and are not interested (or have had no success with) dentures or dental bridges. To understand…

What To Ask Your Oral Surgeon About A Bone Grafting Procedure

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves rebuilding or repairing damaged or diseased bones. Bone grafts have many uses, but they are primarily used in dentistry to prepare patients for implant placement or to repair tissues damaged by periodontal disease or other dental issues.The healing process often starts the moment bone tissues are damaged.…

Your Guide To Different Kinds Of Dental Implants

Choosing to invest in dental implants is no minor decision. The procedure requires small surgeries, and the overall process can last months, requiring dedication to restoring oral health and a full smile. The results, however, are well worth the time and effort for most patients.Before deciding to commit, patients first need to understand the different…

Recent Posts

Are You Put To Sleep For Dental Implants

Are You Put To Sleep For Dental Implants

Missing or damaged teeth can impact people’s smiles and overall dental health, especially if the affected teeth cause pain or become infected, but dental implants can replace these teeth and eliminate certain oral health issues. Before patients seek out this procedure, it can be important to understand how anesthesia may be used to avoid any…

Types Of Dental Implants

Types Of Dental Implants

A patient may invest in dental implants for a variety of different reasons, many of which focus on positively changing personal image and improving overall oral health. Implants are often applied when patients are missing one or more teeth and are not interested (or have had no success with) dentures or dental bridges. To understand…