If you’ve ever questioned why someone would need oral surgery in Cumming & Sandy Springs, you are not alone. Surgery raises alarm bells for most people. However, oral surgery can involve a broad spectrum of treatments that range from the ordinary to the complicated in an effort to restore comfort, function, and confidence in your smile.
Let’s break it down plainly so that you know what oral surgery is, when it is indicated, and how to seek treatment.
What is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery encompasses any surgery performed in, on, or around your mouth and jaw. Generally, these will be procedures performed by an oral surgeon near you; they are trained to take care of functional or aesthetic issues involving the teeth, gums, jawbone, and the tissues surrounding your mouth and face.
When Do You Need Oral Surgery?
Depending on their diagnosis, your dentist may suggest that you consider oral surgery for a multitude of reasons. Common examples include:
- Impacted Teeth—Typically, the wisdom teeth (another example would be any other tooth that has not fully erupted properly, resulting in pain or crowding).
- Tooth Extractions – Removal of badly decayed teeth or irreparable damage
- Dental Implants—When you have a missing tooth or teeth, you want to replace them with implant-supported solutions.
- Jaw Problems—Cervical abnormalities associated with your jaw, related to chewing, speaking, function, and aesthetics.
- Infections and cysts are subjected to surgery to remove growths and/or treat infections that may compromise dental health.
- Trauma to the face—when a person suffers fractures or other injuries due to an accident.
If you have ongoing discomfort, swelling, or dental problems that do not improve, your next step will be to see a dentist near you to see if you need oral surgery.
What are the Common Types of Oral surgery?
The following are the most typical forms of oral surgery:
| Types of Oral Surgery | Reason |
| Wisdom teeth removal | If they’re crowding other teeth, painful, or infected. |
| Tooth extractions | If a tooth is damaged or decayed to the point of no return. |
| Dental implant placement | To replace a permanent tooth that is now missing. |
| Jaw surgery | If a person has a misaligned jaw or an injury to the jaw. |
| Gum or bone grafting | To restore tissue to prepare for implanting or stability. |
| Facial injury treatment. | If bones or teeth are broken. |
| Biopsies or cyst removal. | To determine the cause of a treatable disease or infection. |
Every one of these procedures has a purpose—to reduce pain, restore function, or protect health in the long run.
How Do You Know If You Need an Oral Surgeon?
If your dentist identifies an issue that regular dental care cannot address, they may recommend a visit to an oral surgeon. Some of the indications you may need extra care include:
- Stiff jaw or difficulty opening your mouth
- The teeth are not aligned when you bite down.
- Persistent dental discomfort or illness
- Unstable or missing teeth affecting your everyday living
- Unexplained lumps, swelling, or lesions inside the mouth
An oral surgeon in Cumming & Sandy Springs will be able to diagnose your condition and discuss a reasonable treatment plan with you.
What to Expect Before and After Oral Surgery?
- Before your surgery—Your oral surgeon will review your medical history, counsel you on the procedure, and communicate some options to help you be calm and comfortable.
- During your surgery-Depending on what you are having done, you may be given local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia to make things go smoothly.
- After your surgery – Recovery time will be a little different for everyone, but you will receive detailed instructions for your care, including resting habits, a modified diet, and follow-up visits to ensure you are well-healed.
Following these steps will help you heal more smoothly and decrease the chance of complications after oral surgery near you.
Pinewood Dentistry: Your Partner for Healthy Smiles
Pinewood Dentistry is present to assist you. The team is devoted to providing every patient with a comfortable and supportive journey. Whether you require the removal of wisdom teeth, dental implants, or some form of jaw treatment, we will help and explain all aspects throughout the journey.
Don’t let your condition worsen. Let’s begin your journey today to better oral health. Take a consultation today at either the Cumming or Sandy Springs location to discuss your treatment options, which will provide comfort and confidence for you to smile.