What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery involves surgical procedures performed in or around your mouth. There are several reasons why someone might need oral surgery, with tooth extractions being among the most common.
Extractions may be necessary to remove wisdom teeth, severely damaged or diseased teeth, or teeth that need to be removed as part of orthodontic treatment.
Oral surgery can also include procedures such as dental biopsies. During routine examinations, we screen for signs of oral cancer and other abnormalities.
If we find suspicious tissue, a biopsy may be recommended. This involves removing a small tissue sample so it can be examined in a laboratory to determine whether further treatment is necessary.
What happens during an oral surgery consultation?
During an oral surgery consultation, we'll gather the information needed to evaluate your oral health and determine which procedure may be appropriate.
We'll perform an examination and may take dental X-rays or a 3D scan to evaluate your teeth, jawbone, and surrounding structures.
Depending on your needs, we may recommend tooth extractions, bone grafting, gum grafting, or another surgical procedure.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we provide several oral surgery services, and we'll discuss the available options based on your individual situation.
Can you be asleep during oral surgery?
Yes, anesthesia options are available for patients who prefer to be asleep during certain oral surgery procedures.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we work with qualified anesthesia professionals who can provide deeper sedation or general anesthesia when appropriate.
We'll review your medical history, discuss your comfort level, and determine which anesthesia option is suitable for your procedure.
How do you prepare for oral surgery?
Preparing for oral surgery begins with a consultation and examination.
We'll evaluate your mouth, take any necessary X-rays, and explain the procedure being recommended.
We'll also discuss your anesthesia or sedation options and review any medications you may need after surgery.
In many cases, we can send prescriptions to your pharmacy before the procedure so you have everything ready when you return home.
What should you know before, during, and after wisdom teeth extractions?
If you're having your wisdom teeth removed, it's important to understand how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during recovery.
If you'll be receiving sedation or general anesthesia, we'll provide specific instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before your appointment. Following those instructions is important for your safety.
We'll also review the medications you may need afterward and may send prescriptions to your pharmacy ahead of time.
During the procedure, we'll use the appropriate anesthesia to help keep you comfortable. This may involve local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or a combination of approaches depending on your treatment plan.
Afterward, you may experience some swelling, soreness, or discomfort. We'll explain how to manage those symptoms and provide instructions to support healing.
How are wisdom teeth extractions different from routine extractions?
Wisdom teeth extractions can be more involved than routine tooth extractions because wisdom teeth are sometimes partially or completely impacted.
That means they may still be covered by gum tissue or positioned within the jawbone.
In those cases, we may need to make an opening in the gum tissue or remove a small amount of bone to access the tooth.
Because the procedure can be more involved, some patients experience additional swelling or discomfort afterward.
We'll evaluate your wisdom teeth and explain what to expect based on their position and condition.
Can dental implants and bone grafting help replace missing teeth?
Dental implants are an option for replacing missing teeth or teeth that need to be extracted.
However, when a tooth has been missing for a long time, the surrounding jawbone may begin to shrink. In some cases, there may not be enough bone to support a dental implant without additional treatment.
That's where bone grafting may help. Bone grafting allows us to rebuild or augment areas of the jawbone to create a stronger foundation for implant placement.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we can take 3D scans of your jaw to evaluate the available bone and determine whether grafting may be necessary before placing dental implants.
When is jaw surgery needed?
Jaw surgery may be recommended when the jaws haven't developed or aligned properly, affecting your bite, facial appearance, or oral function.
In certain cases, orthodontic treatment alone may not be enough to correct the problem.
Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning the jaws to improve their alignment and function. Depending on the situation, treatment may involve the upper jaw, lower jaw, or specific areas such as the chin.
These procedures can address functional concerns while also improving facial balance and appearance.
When should a patient be referred to an oral surgeon?
A referral to an oral surgeon may be appropriate when a procedure is outside the general dentist's training, experience, or scope of practice.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we perform many oral surgery procedures, including wisdom teeth extractions, dental implant placement, bone grafting, and gum grafting.
However, some procedures require specialized surgical care.
For example, complex jaw surgery performed in a hospital or orthognathic surgery coordinated with orthodontic treatment would generally require an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
When should you see an oral surgeon?
You should see an oral surgeon when your dental condition requires specialized surgical treatment that your general dentist doesn't provide.
Any surgical procedure should be performed by a provider with the appropriate training and experience.
Our dentists are experienced in performing several types of oral surgery. If your needs fall outside the procedures we provide, we'll refer you to an oral surgeon for the appropriate care.
How long does oral surgery take?
The length of an oral surgery procedure depends on the type of treatment and its complexity.
Some procedures, such as a straightforward tooth extraction or placement of a single dental implant, may take approximately 30 minutes.
More extensive procedures, such as replacing an entire arch of teeth with dental implants, may take several hours. In some cases, treatment can last six or seven hours.
During your consultation, we'll explain the anticipated procedure time so you know what to expect.
How long does it take to recover from oral surgery?
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure performed and your individual healing response.
For many oral surgery procedures, swelling and discomfort tend to peak around the second or third day after treatment.
After that, those symptoms generally begin to improve.
We'll provide instructions for managing discomfort and explain what to expect during your recovery.
What should you eat and avoid after oral surgery?
After oral surgery, I generally recommend sticking with soft foods while the surgical area begins healing.
Good options include soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, and other foods that don't require much chewing.
You'll want to avoid hard or crunchy foods, such as chips, nuts, and seeds, because they may irritate the surgical area.
It's also important to avoid activities that create strong suction or pressure inside your mouth, such as drinking through a straw or blowing up balloons.
Depending on your procedure, we may recommend avoiding those activities for up to two weeks to protect the healing tissues.
We'll provide specific dietary and activity instructions based on your surgery.
How much does oral surgery cost?
The cost of oral surgery varies significantly depending on the procedure and the amount of treatment needed.
For example, a straightforward tooth extraction may cost a few hundred dollars, while more extensive treatment involving multiple extractions and full-mouth dental implants can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
If you have dental insurance, your plan may cover a portion of certain oral surgery procedures, depending on your benefits.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we'll evaluate your needs, develop a treatment plan, and explain the associated costs before moving forward.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (480) 888-8123 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.