Oral surgery refers to any number of surgical procedures performed on your oral structures, such as your teeth, jaws, or gums. Your dentist might recommend that you consult with an oral surgeon for several possible reasons. Let’s take a look at five common reasons you might need to consult with an oral surgeon.
1. Tooth Extractions
Tooth extraction is the most common type of oral surgery. Severe tooth decay, periodontitis (an irreversible form of gum disease), dental trauma, and problems with your wisdom teeth are a few reasons you might need a tooth extraction.
Additionally, it’s possible you might need an extraction in preparation for other procedures like getting dentures or orthodontic treatments. Usually, your dentist will prefer to save natural teeth if it is possible, but sometimes extractions are necessary.
2. Dental Implants
If you need a tooth extraction or have lost a tooth, your dentist might recommend getting a dental implant to replace it. They might also recommend this if you have badly decaying teeth.
Dental implants are surgically anchored into your jawbone. That’s why they require oral surgery. You care for them, and they function just like your natural teeth, which is why they are the more popular option over dentures or even bridges.
3. Impacted Teeth are a Reason to Consult an Oral Surgeon
Impacted teeth are teeth that are not erupting properly. They are coming in at an odd angle and may damage or crowd other teeth.
Impaction most frequently happens with wisdom teeth, but it can also happen with other teeth. Usually, impacted teeth need to be removed, and it’s a good reason to consult an oral surgeon.
4. Temporomandibular Joint Disease (TMJ)
Problems with your temporomandibular joint might require oral surgery to treat. The temporomandibular joint is right in front of your ear lobe, where your lower jaw forms a joint with your upper jaw.
People who have problems with this joint often develop arthritis, but an oral surgeon can help to correct any misalignment that can cause difficulty or pain with chewing.
5. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by tissues in the back of the throat that relax with age and block your airway at night. This stops your normal breathing pattern, and when your blood oxygen levels drop. As a result, your brain wakes you up.
An oral surgeon can help by adjusting the tissues that block the airway or in other parts of your mouth and nasal passages. Patients can expect a positive difference in sleep quality each night as a result.
Call Us Today!
If you have any reason to consult with an oral surgeon in the Savannah area, give the office of Benjamin Duval a call today. We’ll answer all your questions so you can get your dazzling smile back in no time!