The realm of oral surgery encompasses many different aspects of dentistry and oral health. Many people are familiar with oral surgery through the extraction of their wisdom teeth. While that is a very common procedure performed by oral surgeons, the scope of practice includes much more than this one category of extractions.
Oral surgery involves the treatment of both functional and esthetic dental problems in the mouth and the surrounding jaw and facial regions. This includes the jaw joints (TemporoMandibular Joints or TMJs), and many patients who suffer from TMJ disorders or dysfunctions see an oral surgeon for diagnosis and treatment of their jaw problem.
Oral surgeons extract many teeth that have a poor or hopeless prognosis from deep decay, cracks, failed root canal treatments, or severe gum disease. Dentists who do perform tooth extractions may refer teeth that may require a complicated extraction to an oral surgeon.
Oral surgeons have additional education and training in the treatment of medically compromised patients. Many oral surgeons complete two or more years of medical school during their training. When patients have complex medical histories, an oral surgeon can safely manage the entire body during any necessary dental surgery or other treatments.
Our doctors are highly skilled and compassionate in their care for our patients with oral surgery needs.
Undergoing any surgical procedure can be nerve-wracking. However, oral surgery is crucial in maintaining dental health and addressing various oral issues. Understanding some common oral surgery procedures helps demystify the treatment and ease your anxiety. Although there are numerous procedures an oral surgeon routinely performs, these are the most common. Tooth Extractions Teeth that are
Wisdom teeth often erupt in the late teens or early adulthood and require extraction. These third molars can cause problems if left untreated. You may experience pain, crowding, or infection. Here’s what to expect before, during, and after recovery from a wisdom teeth extraction. Before the Extraction Before the procedure, your dentist will assess your
Oral biopsies are a critical medical diagnostic tool, providing invaluable insights into various oral health conditions. Although hearing the word biopsy can be intimidating, this procedure plays a vital role in accurately diagnosing and guiding treatment for dental patients. Diagnosing Cancer: The Vital Role of Biopsies A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample from
Overcoming Dental Anxiety with Sedation Going to the dentist, endodontist or oral surgeon may not be your idea of a great afternoon, especially if you are scheduled for a procedure that creates anxiety. Fortunately, for many dental patients who struggle with dental anxiety, there are a few options that can be administered. Read below how
How Bone Grafts Prepare for Dental Implants After years of having missing teeth or experiencing dental trauma, the jawbone atrophies and loses mass and density. It becomes too narrow and thin to support an implant. For patients wanting a dental implant, bone grafting becomes necessary to prepare the site for treatment. Bone grafting helps improve
What is an Alveoloplasty? After a tooth extraction, the socket needs time to heal. Eventually, the missing tooth must be replaced with a crown, bridge, or dental implant. Sometimes, the jawbone isn’t prepared to accept the new artificial tooth, requiring the dentist to perform an additional procedure called an alveoloplasty. If the jawbone is uneven
The Role of Bone Health & Dental Implants Suppose you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from tooth loss. You may want to replace those teeth with an implant-supported denture but have heard that decreased bone density may cause them to be unsuccessful. Don’t rule out an implant-supported denture just yet. Low bone
Everything You Need to Know About Mandibular Tori Removal Have you noticed a bony growth along the surface of your lower jaw closest to your tongue? It’s often nothing to be concerned about because it’s presumably a torus. Although these bumps, also known as dental tori, are nothing to worry about, they can interfere with
A side effect of missing teeth or untreated gum disease is bone loss. When this happens, your oral surgeon may recommend bone grafting before beginning other treatments. Depending on your unique needs, bone grafting can be taken from various sources and transferred to your mouth. What is Bone Grafting? Bone graft is a material that
Many people focus on changing their teeth to improve their smile. However, gum tissue can impact the appearance of your smile almost as much as your teeth. Treating a gummy grin can enhance your smile, but it can also improve your overall oral health. One such procedure that creates beautiful results is a frenectomy. What
