Imagine that you're having dental issues that are causing you discomfort. You might be facing problems while eating or smiling because, often, the most overlooked, yet inevitably important aspect of our health is oral health. Taking care of your oral health means much more than just brushing and flossing. Sometimes, you may require a specialized treatment that falls under the category of oral surgery.
Call Rekos & Border Oral Surgery today at (614) 764-9455, our experts can help.
What is Oral surgery?
Oral surgery, often referred to as oral and maxillofacial surgery, is a specialized field in dentistry.
It primarily focuses on the treatment and correction of various conditions affecting your jaw, neck, face, and hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
Our oral surgeons are highly skilled practitioners who can guide you comfortably through your procedure.
What Procedures Are in Oral Surgery?
Think of oral surgeries as the solution for severe dental issues that can't be resolved by general dentistry procedures.
Typically, oral surgery encompasses a variety of procedures.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are commonly required when you have a tooth that is decayed beyond repair, is causing overcrowding, or is impacted, meaning it hasn't fully emerged from your gums, which is often the case with wisdom teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, usually emerge in the late teens or early twenties.
For some people, these teeth can cause problems, such as impaction (the inability of the teeth to properly emerge), infections, or overcrowding.
To alleviate these issues, oral surgeons extract the problem teeth, providing relief from symptoms and preventing potential complications.
Dental Implants
If you've lost a tooth, a dental implant can be a great option for replacement.
Essentially a simulated tooth, it's surgically placed into your jawbone, where it acts as the root for the new tooth.
Bone Grafting
A bone grafting procedure can be necessary when you're lacking enough healthy natural bones in your mouth, a problem that can result from various circumstances like gum disease or tooth loss.
This procedure involves the surgeon placing new bone or a replacement material into your jawbone, strengthening it, and priming it for dental implants.
It is a critical step for successful implant surgery. The materials used for grafts can come from your own body or a synthetic substitute.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, could be needed as well.
This may be necessary if you have issues with chewing, speaking, or even breathing.
Misaligned jaws can cause such problems, and surgery can help to correct these.
Then there are procedures more specific to the mouth and facial region such as:
| • | Oral pathology: With this, oral surgeons can diagnose and treat diseases of the mouth including oral cancer. |
| • | Cleft lip or cleft palate repair: These congenital defects, where the lip or roof of the mouth fails to fully form, can be addressed with surgical treatment. Children born with cleft lip or palate, or both benefit from this surgery, which helps improve their ability to eat, speak, and breathe, thereby significantly improving their quality of life. These surgeries are usually performed in the first few years of life, with potential additional procedures as the child grows. |
| • | Facial injury repair: In the event of trauma to the face, skilled oral surgeons can conduct surgery to repair broken or damaged bones and tissues. |
| • | Impacted Canines: This condition arises when adult canine teeth fail to grow out normally. Oral surgeons can perform an exposure and bracketing procedure to guide the tooth into its proper position. |
| • | Sleep Apnea Treatment: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to remove the tissues obstructing the breathing passage. |
| • | Pre-prosthetic surgery is a procedure that prepares your mouth before the placement of a prosthesis. Sometimes, to ensure the best fit and most comfortable experience, oral surgeons may have to smooth or reshape a few areas. You can rest assured that this procedure is often straightforward and, coupled with good after-care instructions, results in more comfortable and effective prostheses. |
What is the recovery process after oral surgery?
Post-operative care is crucial to quick recovery, reduction of complications, and ensuring the success of your surgery.
Immediately after the surgery, the area is usually packed with a gauze pad.
You are instructed to keep biting down on it to help stop the bleeding. The gauze is usually kept in your mouth for 30 to 45 minutes after surgery, replace it as necessary.
| • | Rest: On the first day, rest is key. To decrease swelling and bleeding, it's advised to rest with your head propped up. Remember, no strenuous activities or exercises for a couple of days post-surgery. |
| • | Ice Pack: Applying an ice pack to your face in the first 24 hours can help reduce swelling. Remember not to place the ice directly on your skin. Wrap it in a thin cloth first. |
| • | Diet: Soft food and liquids should be your chosen diet after surgery. Nutrient-rich foods like smoothies, mashed potatoes, and yogurt help in healing. Steer clear of spicy food and hot beverages as they might irritate the wound. |
| • | Oral Care: Maintaining oral hygiene is key to healing, but gentle is the operative word here. No vigorous rinsing or brushing near the surgical site for a day or two. |
| • | Medication: Use pain relievers as prescribed by your doctor to manage discomfort. Antibiotics might be prescribed to prevent any infection. |
Now, it's quite normal for your recovery to not follow this exact timeline.
However, if you notice excessive bleeding, severe pain, swelling that worsens after a couple of days, or fever, reach out to our oral surgeons immediately.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Dublin OH
Oral surgery covers a wide range of procedures that can help alleviate pain, improve function, and even augment aesthetics.
Contact Rekos & Border Oral Surgery at (614) 764-9455 to schedule your appointment, we have the training and expertise to help you on your path to oral surgery.
