Many patients become incredibly concerned when told they need oral surgery, but unfortunately, it is often required. By gaining a better understanding of oral surgery and why it may be a necessity, however, you can calm any anxiety you may have and learn about the benefits you are receiving through treatment.
There are several different reasons why a dentist or oral surgeon may recommend oral surgery, and in many instances, it is unavoidable and necessary in order to ensure good oral health or cosmetic appearance. The following are three of the more common reasons patients undergo an oral surgery procedure.
Missing teeth can cause one to feel insecure about their appearance and lose confidence in their smile. Perhaps even more notably, missing teeth can lead to oral health concerns such as bone loss and gum complications. Subsequently, it is important to replace missing teeth to ensure good oral health. Of course, there are teeth replacement options available that do not require a surgical procedure - such as removable dentures and fixed bridges that attach to existing teeth. However, dental implants do require surgery. Dental implants are the closest one can get to restoring the look, feel and function of their natural teeth, so they are worth the surgery for many patients.
One of the more common mistakes patients make when it comes to their oral health is ignoring impacted teeth. When teeth are impacted - meaning they do not fully erupt through the gums - it can increase the chance of cavities, oral infection and other oral health concerns. Additionally, impacted teeth can even cause other teeth to shift if they grow in sideways. The most common type of impacted teeth that require surgical extraction are the wisdom teeth, which are the third set of molars located farthest back in the mouth. Oral surgery for impacted teeth is relatively simple and does not take long to recover from.
Jaw complications such as TMJ issues may require oral surgery to ensure that the patients can eliminate symptoms in the long-term. Those who endure jaw complications may experience an inability to move the jaw freely, jaw stiffness and frequent headaches. There are treatment options available that do not require surgery, but more severe cases that do not improve through medication and other non-surgical techniques likely require oral surgery. Additionally, some patients may choose to undergo jaw surgery if they have a misaligned jaw that causes a cosmetic concern with their overall appearance.
Oral surgery for most patients turns out not to be as scary as it sounds initially, and here at our office, we strive to ensure each one of our patients is comfortable and well-informed through each step of the process. If you have an oral health or cosmetic complication that you feel may require surgery to treat, consult with us today and schedule a time to come in for an initial consultation to find out how we can help you.
Request an appointment here: https://thelightfamilydental.com or call The Light Family Dental & Implant Dentistry at (210) 987-3011 for an appointment in our Converse office.
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