3 Popular Types of Oral Surgery

It has happened. The day has finally arrived when your dentist tells you that you require oral surgery for that problem you've been having in your mouth. You may never have even had a filling before, but here you are facing the daunting prospect of a surgical procedure. Let's take a look at three of the most common types of oral surgeries and what to expect if you need to undergo any of them.

1. Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is an extremely common type of oral surgery that is sometimes needed to resolve disease conditions, an overcrowded mouth or trauma. If the tooth that requires extracting is above the gum line, your dentist can remove it using forceps with a simple tooth extraction.

If your tooth has broken off beneath the gum line, you will need to undergo a surgical tooth extraction so that bone and tissue can be cut away. If you have a surgical extraction to remove a tooth, you will normally need stitches to close the wound.

Wisdom teeth are often difficult to remove. In many cases, once they are surgically removed, they may be already impacted or half erupted.

2. Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is an umbrella term comprising a variety of cosmetic procedures like surgical dental implant insertion to mount dentures or artificial teeth, or to reshape teeth so that they can accept crowns, bridges or veneers.

3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is quite complicated. Some types include corrective jaw surgery, maxillofacial dental implants, bone augmentation and nerve positioning, and dentoalveolar surgery.

Preparing for Oral Surgery

If you are due to have some type of oral surgery, there are a number of steps that you can take to make sure that you are prepared at the time of your appointment. You may be referred to a dental specialist who will perform the type of surgery that you require. During your consultation, x-rays may be taken of your mouth. Your medical history will be reviewed, including any medications that you are taking that could interfere with your surgery or recovery.

The Day of Your Surgery

If you will be placed under anesthesia, it is recommended that you avoid consuming food and drink for at least eight hours prior to your surgery. Patients with certain medical conditions, like hypertension and diabetes, will be carefully monitored during surgery to look for any potential complications involving anesthesia.

If you require an overnight stay in the hospital, the length of your stay will vary depending upon what type of surgery was performed. For example, if you undergo jaw surgery, you may need up to four days in the hospital, while a wisdom tooth extraction allows you to return home the same day as your surgery.

Recovering From Oral Surgery

Any type of surgery means that you will go through a recovery period. That may involve some restrictions on some of your normal activities. A basic extraction should require nothing more than over-the-counter pain medication. A more involved surgery like jaw surgery may involve taking prescription painkillers.

Be sure to carefully follow any post-surgical instructions that you are provided. This will help ensure that your surgery is a success, and that you recover as quickly as possible without complications.