Do you feel anxious when you hear your dentist say dental surgery? It may elicit panic or reluctance, but know that dental surgeries are safe and common procedures.
What is surgical dentistry?
Surgical dentistry involves diagnosing and treating various oral health issues. Most procedures can be done on an outpatient basis and don’t require long downtime.
One common example of dental surgery is tooth extraction. If you’re a potential candidate for dental surgery, your General Dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon.
Your dentist evaluates your condition and prepares an individualized treatment plan. Sometimes surgery is required not because of oral health diseases, but due to an accident or severe dental trauma.
Before proceeding with any surgery, your dentist walks you through the process and potential risks. Here at Happy Sapiens Dental, we talk about how we can make your experience more comfortable so you can receive the care you need with ease.
Different types of dental surgeries
Here are some of the most common types of dental surgeries.
- Root canal therapy. Root canal treatments are done to save natural teeth. The procedure can be completed in a single dental visit. Your dentist may recommend it if the pulp becomes infected and damaged. Left untreated, this can result in swelling and severe pain that extends to the neck and jaw. Learn more about root canal therapy.
- Wisdom tooth extraction. Wisdom tooth extraction is recommended if there’s not enough room to accommodate the tooth or teeth, which can lead to impaction and issues associated with it. Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure, and you can go home right after. However, resting for a few days is necessary before resuming normal activities.
- Dental implants. A dental implant offers a permanent solution to one or several missing teeth. It uses a titanium screw to replace the roots, which then provides support for the replacement tooth. The metal is fused to the jawbone before placing tooth restorations and completing the process. Overall, this surgical procedure can take around six months to finish.
- Reconstructive procedures. The mouth may require reconstructive surgery due to severe trauma. A person may sustain injuries on the cheek, lips, or tongue, or lose one or several teeth. The extent of the surgery depends on the overall damage to the mouth. Working with an oral surgeon is crucial to determine the best solution so you can restore the health and appearance of your mouth in the shortest time possible.
Do I need dental surgery?
If you see irregularities in or around your mouth, book an appointment with your dentist to see if immediate attention or any treatment is required. If your dentist suspects you may need dental surgery, they may refer you to an oral surgeon.
Both General Dentists and Oral Surgeons work on the teeth and their roles may overlap at times. But usually, dentists perform common dental procedures while oral surgeons take care of highly specialized, complex, or rare cases.
See a dentist in Pinehurst or Woodland, Texas, today
Learn more about surgical dentistry and why it may be necessary.
Here at Happy Sapiens Dental at Pinehurst or Woodland, Texas, we’re pleased to offer various surgical procedures. Contact us today at (281) 356-3351 for more information.
We look forward to meeting and helping you address your dental concerns.