When Is It Necessary to See an Oral Surgeon?

oral surgeon Brighton, CO

If you need to undergo a complex procedure on the teeth or other parts of the oral cavity, a visit to the oral surgeon is usually necessary. Oral surgery includes surgical procedures on the mouth, especially those that require artificial modification of the oral structures. This article discusses conditions that might necessitate an appointment with an oral surgeon.

When to see an oral surgeon

An oral examination to assess the patient’s oral health and its condition is necessary to know whether they are a candidate for dental surgery. Sometimes, depending on the nature of the condition, the oral surgeon may even recommend nonsurgical procedures. The following are the conditions that might require a visit to the dental specialist.

Root canal therapy

A root canal is one of the most common types of oral surgeries. These dental specialists treat many teeth every year, preventing teeth extractions and relieving pain and sensitivity. Root canals are generally pain-free and highly effective.

The layer under the tooth’s enamel is a soft portion called the dental pulp, which holds the nerve endings, blood vessels and tissue. When the tooth decays, bacteria invade the tooth and infect the dental pulp. The infected pulp results in toothache, swelling or pain around the jaw or neck area. The oral surgeon can treat this condition by removing the decayed layer of the tooth, as well as the infected pulp material.

Dental implant placement

Dental implants have transformed the way that teeth are replaced over the last few years. An implant replaces and functions as the root of a lost tooth. They are made from titanium metal, which is both lightweight and biocompatible; the body will not reject them. The implant holds and anchors a tooth restoration like bridge, crown or denture to the jawbone. If a tooth is lost due to decay, trauma or a health condition, the oral surgeon can replace it with dental implants.

Dental implant restoration takes time to complete because the bone needs to fuse properly with the implant before the prosthetic tooth can be attached. To place the implant, the dentist will create an access hole through the gums to fit the metal post to the bone. It takes between three to six months for the bone fusion to occur. The treatment ends after fixing the tooth restoration.

Wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom teeth extraction is often required when these last set of molars become problematic. Wisdom teeth usually erupt between ages 17 and 25, and when there is no space on the jaw for their emergence, they may become impacted and cause oral issues like pain and infection. Sometimes, the dental professional may recommend teeth extraction even if the teeth are not problematic, as a preventive measure.

Wisdom teeth extraction is done on an outpatient basis, and it takes a few days to recover completely. The oral surgeon will do the procedure by making surgical incisions and stitching the extraction site closed to ensure healing. Patients need to follow aftercare instructions for complete recovery and to prevent complications.

The bottom line

If you are experiencing certain oral symptoms that may compromise your oral health, it is advisable to visit the oral surgeon for a diagnosis and treatment.

Request an appointment here: https://brighton.drjstearns.com or call Platte Valley Oral Surgery at (303) 997-0223 for an appointment in our Brighton office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Oral Surgeon Procedures For Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery (also called orthognathic surgery) is performed by an oral surgeon to correct different forms of skeletal and dental issues, including jaw and teeth misalignment. The aim is to improve oral functions such as breathing, speaking, and eating. Although the surgery may improve the appearance of the patient's teeth significantly, corrective jaw surgery…

Why You Should Seek Out Help For Your TMJ Disorder

If you are experiencing symptoms like jaw pain and stiffness, TMJ disorder might be the problem. This disorder can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. The condition generally worsens without treatment. A TMJ specialist is a trained and experienced professional who offers treatment for TMJ disorders. Continue reading to find out…

Oral Surgeon Bone Grafting For Dental Implants FAQs

Bone grafting is a minor surgical treatment done under local anesthetic to replace depleted bone tissue. The grafting material may be inserted into a tooth socket just after a tooth is removed or at a location where a tooth has been absent for an extended period. Over the next few months, your body will produce…

The Benefits Of All-On-4

Dental implants have significantly changed the way people replace missing or damaged teeth. Now there is another treatment option that can help you restore your smile. The All-on-4 dental implant technique is an innovative solution gradually growing in popularity. This technique allows patients to restore their smile with a full set of teeth anchored by…

Recent Posts

Oral Surgeon Procedures For Corrective Jaw Surgery

Oral Surgeon Procedures For Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery (also called orthognathic surgery) is performed by an oral surgeon to correct different forms of skeletal and dental issues, including jaw and teeth misalignment. The aim is to improve oral functions such as breathing, speaking, and eating. Although the surgery may improve the appearance of the patient's teeth significantly, corrective jaw surgery…

Why You Should Seek Out Help For Your TMJ Disorder

Why You Should Seek Out Help For Your TMJ Disorder

If you are experiencing symptoms like jaw pain and stiffness, TMJ disorder might be the problem. This disorder can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. The condition generally worsens without treatment. A TMJ specialist is a trained and experienced professional who offers treatment for TMJ disorders. Continue reading to find out…