Oral surgery is any operational, i.e. surgical intervention in the oral cavity. This affects the teeth as well as the jawbone, gums and surrounding soft tissue.
Strictly speaking, extractions, i.e. the extraction of teeth (especially the wisdom teeth) also count as part of oral surgery. In most cases, however, it is about more complicated matters in order to relieve the affected patients of their special symptoms.
For example, over 80% of people will have problems with their wisdom teeth at some point in their lives. They are actually the eighth tooth in each row of teeth, i.e. the last molar. In most cases, however, this does not push itself to the surface like the other adult teeth, but grows crooked inside the jawbone.
Thus, the wisdom tooth often causes pain or displaces healthy molars. Since it does not “sit” properly, it cannot be pulled out in most cases, but must be surgically removed. The extraction of teeth – or the extraction of a wisdom tooth with good reliable anesthesia is our daily bread in oral surgery.
If an inflammation has spread through the nerve of the tooth to the tip of the root and perhaps even to the surrounding bone, root canal treatment may no longer help.
Surgery is the only way to save the tooth. In this case, an apicoectomy, which exposes the tips of the tooth root and allows the oral surgeon to clean the tooth root and bone area.
Accidents sometimes happen and unfortunately one can knock out one or more teeth. If these and the jawbone are not damaged, these teeth can actually be put back where they were before.
Although the periodontium is inevitably destroyed, in many cases the tooth can grow back into the jawbone well splinted.
It is best not to transport the lost tooth dry but in milk or saliva. It is best to get a tooth rescue box from the pharmacy and always have it with you. Children in particular who play sports should always have such a box with them and be informed about its use. It goes without saying that in such an emergency no valuable time should be wasted.
Another area of oral surgery is periodontal therapy. Gums that have receded can be regenerated here, thereby achieving both better aesthetics and positively influencing the stability and health of the teeth.
Oral surgery may also be necessary to prepare the jawbone for dental implants. The so-called pre-prosthetic surgery prepares the jawbone for the implants if, for example, it has already receded too much due to a long period of toothlessness. Even targeted bone formation is possible.
Your treating dentist will be happy to explain to you to what extent you need it in a detailed discussion. Your great advantage is that in our SeaDent practice we are specialists in oral surgery.
