Oral surgery is a branch of general dentistry that treats many conditions in teeth, gums, jaws, and face. From simple cases such as impacted wisdom teeth and non-restorable teeth that require dental implants to complex situations such as jaw realignment, oral surgery can solve any problem and restore function and form to teeth.
If you are suffering from uncontrolled oral pain, decayed teeth, or jaw problems that may need surgery, you should seek professional assistance. At Valencia Advanced Dentistry at Copperhill Smiles, we provide our patients with oral surgery according to their requirements. Whether you are having issues with your teeth or need a simple extraction, our Santa Clarita dental surgeons are ready to provide you with top-quality care.
Understanding Oral Surgery
Oral surgery involves operations on the teeth, mouth, jaws, gums, and even the face. Some people think oral surgery only involves pulling out teeth, but it goes beyond that. It includes tooth insertion, orthognathic surgery, bone augmentation, and maxillofacial surgery for cleft lip and palate.
These surgical procedures may be required to treat injuries, infections, deformities, oral cavity diseases, facial aesthetics, and occlusion. Unlike regular dental procedures, oral surgery is intended to solve problems that can only be solved through surgery and can complement common dental treatments.
Reasons You Could Require Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is done for several reasons, and the ultimate goal is to enhance your dental health and well-being. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Removing impacted or damaged teeth: In some situations, such as when your teeth are impacted or heavily decayed, standard extraction is not possible, and surgery has to be performed.
- Correcting jaw issues: If your jaws are misaligned, you require orthodontic surgery, which is done for aesthetics or to restore functions such as chewing, speaking, and breathing.
- Restoring bone loss: If the bone has begun to degenerate after a tooth loss, bone grafting surgery helps provide the essential support for implantation or other therapies.
- Addressing gum disease: Advanced periodontitis may lead to the destruction of gum and alveolar bone. In some instances, the infected tissue may have to be surgically removed so that you can be given the chance to heal.
- Treating facial injuries or deformities: In other cases, oral surgery may entail fixing congenital disabilities such as cleft lip and palate or fixing problems arising from accidents.
- Treating sleep apnea: Oral surgery may also be done to eliminate excess tissue or rearrange structures within your mouth and throat to treat sleep apnea.
Types of Oral Surgery
Oral surgery involves several operations that are performed to treat specific dental or facial problems. Depending on the nature of your issue, you might undergo one of the following types of oral surgeries:
Dental Bone Graft
A dental bone graft is done to reconstruct or augment the bone in the jaws. It is usually required after teeth are extracted or after you suffer periodontal diseases that lead to bone loss. Dental implant surgery requires sufficient bone density, and thus, bone grafting is essential if you need dental implants but have inadequate bone mass.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is one of the most popular surgeries in dentistry. It involves removing a tooth from its normal socket because of infection, crowding, or any other kind of damage. Wisdom teeth that are partially erupted or stuck in the gum line may cause pain and infections and affect other teeth; hence, they have to be removed surgically.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery is intended to treat severe forms of gingivitis, including periodontitis. During your operation, your surgeon may have to remove infected tissue, wash out the pockets that harbor infection, and contour the bone to minimize further harm.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most permanent means of replacing missing teeth. It involves the placing of a screw from titanium that is fitted on the jaw’s bone that will hold the artificial tooth. After healing, this post holds the dental crown, restoring your smile to a natural appearance and full functionality.
Cleft Palate and Lip Repair
Oral surgeons also perform maxillo-facial trauma and facial reconstructive surgeries, including cleft lip and palate. Such procedures are essential to restore beauty, correct speech, and functionality if you were born with such disorders.
Sleep Apnea Surgery
People with obstructive sleep apnea can undergo surgery to remove or move some of the tissues obstructing the airway during sleep. This type of surgery offers the advantages of normal breathing, sleep apnea reduction, and facial form restoration.
Who Performs Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is usually performed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, who are dentists with additional training in dentistry and surgery. These specialists undertake several other years of surgical practice after dental college, usually 3 to 4 years, and are qualified to carry out operations on the mouth, jaws, and face.
Oral or maxillofacial surgeons can handle cases outside of general dentistry since they have specialized in handling such complex issues. They can perform complex procedures such as extraction of impacted wisdom teeth, reconstructive surgery, and treatment of facial injuries.
What to Expect Before Your Oral Surgery
Before your oral surgery, your dentist or surgeon will conduct a comprehensive examination to determine whether you need surgery and whether it is safe. This examination involves:
Initial Consultation
Your dentist or an oral surgeon will examine your current state of oral health, discuss your medical history, and then decide on the correct procedure you should undertake. This may include X-rays, CT scans, or teeth impressions, which will be used in diagnosing your condition.
Preoperative Instructions
Your oral surgeon will then advise you in detail on the preparations you need to make for the surgery. Some prerequisites may be abstaining from eating if you are to undergo general anesthesia, avoiding certain drugs, and quitting smoking to enhance healing.
Anesthesia Discussion
Depending on the type of surgery and its extent, you will be informed of the type of anesthesia you will be administered. Choices vary from local (using a nerve block to numb the area) to general (giving you a sleeping drug), depending on the operation and your wishes.
Planning for Recovery
You will also be advised on what to do after the surgery. You should make arrangements for transportation to and from the dentist's office because, after sedation or general anesthesia, you may feel dizzy or confused. Other measures to help you manage recovery include buying soft foods and taking time off work or school.
By explaining the procedures before your surgery, your oral surgeon will help you avoid or at least lessen the risks and make the surgery as easy as possible.
What to Expect During Your Oral Surgery
The specific steps of oral surgery vary depending on the type of procedure you are undergoing, but generally, it follows a structured process:
Anesthesia Administration
Your oral surgeon will first give you some form of anesthesia to help you relax before the procedure starts. Depending on the type of operation and your preference, this may mean being given local anesthesia to numb the part of the body to be operated on, sedation to help you relax, or general anesthesia to put you to sleep completely.
Performing the Surgery
After you become anesthetized, the surgeon will start the surgery. For example, the surgeon will open the gum and carefully remove the tooth in a tooth extraction procedure. In dental implants, the surgeon will place a titanium post into your jawbone. Such expertise means that the surgeon will ensure that the operation is done well and that you benefit without causing further harm.
Post-Surgery Care
Once the surgery is over, any cuts are sown up, and sterile gauze may be put into your mouth to stop you from bleeding. After the procedure, you will be closely monitored for any signs that the anesthesia or sedation has worn off to enable you to be discharged safely.
During the procedure, your oral surgeon and the staff will do all they can to make you as comfortable as possible and perform the surgery optimally.
Duration of Oral Surgery Procedures
The time taken to complete oral surgery depends on the kind of surgery and the extent of the surgery. An essential tooth extraction, for example, might take half an hour, while more involved operations such as dental implantation or corrective jaw surgery may take several hours.
Tooth Extractions
Normal extractions may take 20 to 40 minutes, while complex extractions may take up to an hour or even more, depending on the type of extraction required, such as the extraction of impacted teeth such as the third molars (wisdom teeth).
Dental Implants
The surgery to place the implant takes one to two hours per implant; however, the treatment process can take several months because the bone needs to heal after the implant has been inserted before the final crown is fitted.
Bone Grafts
These usually last 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the severity of bone loss.
Jaw Realignment or Maxillofacial Surgery
Such operations may take hours, especially if the surgeon works on both the upper and lower jaws.
After the surgery, you may be allowed to go home on the same day, but the effects of the anesthesia will wear off after a few hours following surgery. Depending on your circumstances, your surgeon will give you a more realistic time frame.
After Your Oral Surgery
Recovery begins immediately after your operation, and there are several instructions that the surgeon recommends to have a smooth recovery. They include:
Immediately After the Surgery
If you have undergone sedation or general anesthesia, you may feel dizzy or confused after the procedure. You will be moved to the recovery bay, where the medical staff will monitor you before discharge. If you have had sedation or anesthesia, you should have someone on standby to take you home.
Managing Discomfort
Some inflammation, pain, and slight bleeding at the surgical site are perfectly understandable. Your surgeon will advise you on which pain relievers are safe to use, whether over-the-counter or prescribed. Your oral surgeon could also ask you to apply ice packs on the outer side of your mouth to decrease inflammation.
Post-Operative Care
For the first day, you should not perform any heavy activity, smoke, or use a straw to drink anything. Your oral surgeon will also prescribe how to clean the surgical area, usually with a mild salt water solution.
Follow-Up Appointments
Depending on which oral surgery procedure was done, you might be expected to attend some follow-up checkups to see how your mouth is healing. For example, if you had sutures, they might need to be trimmed. Your surgeon could also want to evaluate the implant or graft site to determine that it is ready to heal.
The recovery process may differ depending on the procedure, but adhering to your surgeon’s instructions could enhance quick recovery with minimal complications.
Advantages of Undergoing Oral Surgery
Oral surgery has numerous advantages that can positively impact your dental and general well-being. Whether you need a root canal treatment, are suffering from a gum disease, or have a jaw misalignment problem, oral surgery can cure most of your oral diseases once and for all. Some of the advantages of oral surgery include the following:
Pain Relief
The first noticeable effect is the minimization of pain. Whether it is because of painful, impacted wisdom teeth or a severe infection, oral surgery will bring great relief if you are struggling with pain that affects normal living.
Improved Functionality
Dental implant surgery, jaw surgery, and/or bone grafting surgery can help in functional rehabilitation, which entails improved chewing and speech as well as an enhanced smile.
Preventing Future Issues
Surgical operations like tooth pulling, flap surgery, or root planning can prevent additional dental complications, such as the progression of infection or additional harm to other teeth or parts of the mouth, like the bones.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Operations such as dental implantation or cleft palate surgery may significantly change your smile, making you more confident when talking to people.
Side Effects or Consequences of Oral Surgery
In most cases, oral surgery is safe and successful, but as with most operations, some risks are associated with the procedure. You want to know about these risks so that they can assist you in making the right decision regarding the surgery you will undergo. Some common risks associated with oral surgery include the following:
Infections in Your Dental Cavity
Oral surgery is similar to any operation in that the operative site may become infected. Your oral surgeon will prescribe antibiotics if necessary to reduce this likelihood.
Bleeding of the Oral Cavity
Minor bleeding is expected, especially after your oral surgery procedure, but severe or prolonged bleeding may rarely occur. If it does, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to manage bleeding post-surgery.
Nerve Damage
Depending on the site of your surgery, there could be a danger of nerve injury, which results in temporary or sometimes permanent loss of feeling in the lip, chin, or tongue.
Dry Socket
Any complication that may arise after tooth extraction is known as a dry socket. This happens when the clot on the gum where the tooth was extracted breaks or does not form at all, leaving the bone and nerves exposed and causing a lot of pain.
Swelling and Discomfort
Swelling is normal, especially in the early stages of treatment. However, if the swelling continues to increase or pain persists, there may be a problem. Adhering to your postoperative care instructions can avoid these problems.
Recovery Time After Your Oral Procedure
Recovery from oral surgery is normally determined by the extent of the surgery, your general health status, and your adherence to the surgeon’s advice and recommendations. While most patients experience a smooth recovery, the timeframe can vary.
Simple Extractions
Healing from a routine tooth extraction usually takes approximately 1-2 days. You may experience some pain or inflammation at this stage, but it only lasts a few hours.
Complex Extractions
Healing from the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth may take up to a week. For the first 24 to 72 hours after the surgery, you may experience redness, some pain, and even swelling.
Dental Implants or Bone Grafts
Such procedures may take more time to heal than other, more straightforward ones. Suture removal may be done after 7 days, however, bone fusion with the implant may take 3-6 months.
Find the Best Dental Care Expert Near Me
Oral surgery can help enhance your oral condition, comfort, and general health. If you have a toothache, require implants, or require reconstructive surgery, you need to seek the services of an experienced and skilled oral surgeon. At Valencia Advanced Dentistry at Copperhill Smiles, we do all possible to ensure a successful operation and quick recovery.
Whether you are thinking of having your oral surgery or you are having concerns about your teeth, please do not hesitate to consult us. Our team in Santa Clarita specializes in each patient's needs, so when you come to us, we will help you through each step of the process. Contact us today at 661-775-7717 to get an appointment with our oral surgeons.
