Surgical Procedures

The most common type of oral surgery is tooth extraction (tooth removal). An extraction might be recommended if you have severe tooth decay, gum disease (periodontitis), dental trauma, or wisdom teeth complications. Sometimes tooth extractions are performed to prepare you for dentures or other prosthetic devices.

Most dentists prefer to save natural teeth when possible, but sometimes extractions are necessary to preserve your overall oral health. Additionally, many dentists recommend wisdom tooth extraction as a preventative measure to reduce your risk for cavities, bone loss, and other problems.

A dental bone graft is necessary when bone loss has occurred in your jaw. There are a couple of reasons why this may occur. When your natural teeth are present, the roots stimulate the nerves in your jaw. This signals your brain to send nutrients to your jaw, keeping it strong and healthy. If a tooth has been missing for some time, bone deterioration can occur in that area because there are no roots to stimulate the nerves. A dental bone graft restores volume and density in your jawbone so dental implants can be placed later.

Sometimes, your provider might place a bone graft during periodontal surgery. Advanced gum disease can cause the bone around your teeth to erode. A bone graft reduces mobility and provides a solid foundation, keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Dental implants are the most reliable and longest-lasting teeth replacement option. These small threaded posts — made of medical-grade titanium or zirconia — are embedded into your jaw to replace missing teeth roots. Once the implants are healed, they can be restored with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures.

A gum specialist may recommend gum disease treatment if you have moderate or severe periodontitis. During this procedure, incisions are made along your gum line, and the tissue is temporarily removed from your teeth. Finally, the gum tissue is repositioned and sutured into place. Your surgeon will then clean your teeth roots, flushing away plaque and bacteria accumulated under your gums.

Sometimes, gum recession can occur as a result of periodontitis. In these instances, you may need a gum graft. During this procedure, your surgeon reinforces the area of tissue loss with donor tissue. This tissue may be taken from the roof of your mouth or purchased at a certified tissue bank.

Corrective jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, addresses skeletal abnormalities of your jaw bones. This procedure may be recommended to improve chewing function, correct misalignment, or address facial imbalances. Corrective jaw surgery is also used to ease pain caused by TMJ dysfunction (TMD).

In reality, dental surgery covers many dental procedures that don’t necessarily require going under the knife or cutting the gums. It also involves putting on teeth prosthetics and putting in bone implants. At any rate, surgery of any kind shouldn’t be taken lightly, and this includes dental surgery.