Oral surgery has a bad reputation as a painful and expensive ordeal, causing most patients to dread any mention of it. However, many oral surgeries are extremely common. Modern technology allows oral surgeons to perform many procedures quickly and efficiently, making recovery times faster and less painful than you’d think. You don’t have to panic at the sound of oral surgery. Instead, learn more about the different kinds of procedures with this list of the most common types of oral surgery.
Tooth Extraction
One of the most common types of oral surgery is tooth extraction. Your dentist would recommend this procedure for many different reasons. If a tooth decayed and the nerve died, extracting it—and later replacing it—might be the best option.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
As far as tooth extractions go, wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common procedures. Wisdom teeth, the third set of molars, are the last teeth to develop, and they often cause problems. If a wisdom tooth is misaligned or doesn’t fully erupt, it becomes impacted, causing pain, infection, or even misaligning other teeth.
Jaw Surgery
Oral surgery isn’t just about teeth. Many oral surgeons also work with jaw alignment and other injuries. An unaligned jaw can cause difficulties in all aspects of life, from your appearance to your ability to eat, drink, or breathe. Jaw surgery—including reconstructive procedures—can correct issues with the jawbone and joints, helping to fix these complications and improve a patient’s overall health. While these procedures often have a longer recovery period than others, you can help ensure a comfortable recovery by resting, keeping your mouth clean, and using any prescribed compression garments or pain medications.
Dental Implants
When you lose or extract a tooth, dental implants provide a way to replace it. This procedure involves placing a small metal post into the tooth socket to create a foundation for an artificial tooth. Dental implants are a reliable long-term solution to replace missing teeth, as the artificial teeth look, feel, and operate naturally.
