What Is Oral Surgery?
Any surgical procedure that is performed on the tissues of your mouth, teeth, or gums is considered oral surgery. Maxillofacial surgery, on the other hand, consists of surgical procedures performed on your jaw, head, or another part of the face. Some of the most common oral surgery procedures include extracting impacted wisdom teeth, placing dental implants, reconstructive jaw surgery, and even treatment for severe sleep apnea. To find out if you need oral surgery, the best way is to schedule a consultation with your Lafayette dentist or oral surgeon.
Did You Know…
After dental or medical school, oral surgeons must complete a 4-year residency.
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The Oral Surgery Process
Consultation
If they suspect that you could benefit from oral surgery, or if you need oral surgery in preparation for a related treatment, your Lafayette dentist will likely refer you to an oral surgeon for a consultation.
Treatment Planning
Your doctor or oral surgeon will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs, and take the time to educate you about the treatment and the surgical procedure that will be performed. They will keep you informed about what to expect on the day of the procedure, and how to best prepare yourself.
Sedation Options
Oral surgeons regularly work all forms of sedation, especially with IV sedation and general anesthesia. Based on the procedure you’re receiving and your unique needs, your doctor will recommend the right sedation option for you.
Day of Surgery
On the day of your oral surgery, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your procedure. You will receive specific recommendations based on the procedure being performed in our Lafayette practice, but you should plan to take a day off and to have someone around to be with you for the rest of the day to monitor your health.
Healing & Aftercare
Your healing time may vary depending on the extent of the procedure, but you can expect to require at least a few days to heal after surgery. Swelling and discomfort for the next 24-72 hours is normal, as is light bleeding during the first day or two. To reduce swelling, keep your head elevated and use a cold compress. Take any medications that are prescribed or recommended by your doctor, and stick to soft foods and room temperature drinks for the first 48 hours after surgery.
Common Oral Surgeries
Extractions
Extractions are performed on teeth that have experienced damage that can’t be remedied by less invasive means. Damage can be caused by oral injuries, gum disease, or tooth decay. Extractions are also required to prepare for certain restorative treatments, like dentures or dental implants.
For instance, a full arch of dentures can only be fitted when there are no remaining teeth. Patients with one or several teeth left will need to have them extracted before moving forward with dentures. Some extractions are less complex than others, but in general, they are classified as oral surgeries.
Bone Grafts
Bone grafts, sometimes called bone tissue transplants, are used to repair weak, fractured or otherwise damaged bones within the body. The most common bone grafting procedures at our Lafayette office are performed as a preparation for dental implant placement.
When a patient loses a tooth, the jaw bone underneath is no longer stimulated by the natural processes of chewing and speaking, causing the bone to weaken and deteriorate. Dental implants can help stop this process, but the weakened jaw bone needs to be strengthened in order to properly support the post of a dental implant. Utilizing processed bone minerals, bone grafting helps to stimulate the formation of new bone. The initial healing and recovery from the surgery is similar to that of a tooth extraction, but it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for the graft to completely bond with your existing bone tissue.
Sinus Lifts
A sinus lift (also known as a sinus graft, sinus augmentation, or sinus procedure) is a surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the space between your jaw and maxillary sinuses. This is the area above your molars and premolars.
Losing a tooth can cause the socket to collapse, leading to the surrounding bone to lose height, width, and overall volume. Sinus lifts work by grafting extra bone tissue to the maxillary sinus, reinforcing the structure to allow for the placement of a dental implant and the restoration of your smile.
Alveoloplasty
The alveolar ridge is the small protuberance that exists right behind the upper front teeth. An alveoloplasty is a relatively common oral surgery during which the alveolar ridge is surgically re-contoured and smoothed-out. An alveoloplasty may be performed as a stand-alone procedure after a tooth extraction, or in preparation for a denture or dental implant placement. Recontouring helps optimize the shape of the alveolar ridge to help reduce complications, increase the longevity and stability of the dental prosthetic, while helping to boost patient comfort overall.
Tori Removal
Tori are deposits of extra bone that can form in either the upper or lower jawbones. Extra bone formed in the hard upper palate is called “torus palatinus,” while tori found in the lower jaw are called “mandibular tori.” The fact is that most tori are benign (non-cancerous) and generally don’t require treatment of any kind. However, there are circumstances that could require tori removal:
If tori are causing food to become trapped in the mouth, your doctor will likely recommend a tori removal procedure. Impacted food can be hazardous for your oral health, and can lead to unwanted complications like decay down the line.
If a patient with tori is receiving dentures, their tori will often require removal to make sure their dental appliances fit comfortably.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that generally grow in between the ages of 17-25. Because many people simply don't have space in their mouths to accommodate wisdom teeth, particularly if they have had orthodontic work, they tend to cause issues as they are growing in.
As they begin to erupt, wisdom teeth can crowd your other teeth, causing them to shift and become misaligned. Additionally, wisdom teeth have a tendency to become impacted, leading to painful infections. Because of the discomfort and dental issues wisdom teeth can cause, most people have them extracted when they begin to grow in.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom teeth become “impacted” if they don’t have enough room to erupt and become stuck below the gum line. It is generally recommended to extract impacted wisdom teeth, as they are more susceptible to tooth decay, and can cause a variety of other oral health issues.
To extract an impacted wisdom tooth, your Lafayette doctor will make an incision in your gums to access the tooth. In many cases, the tooth will be cut up into smaller pieces, and removed piece by piece. The treatment area will be sutured shut and packed with gauze to help with the healing process. To ensure your procedure is relaxing and pain-free, sedation options will also be available.
Did You Know…
The most common oral surgeries are wisdom tooth extractions.
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What is an oral surgeon?
After dental or medical school, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon must complete additional special training and education. At the minimum, oral surgeons carry out a 4-year residency at a hospital-based surgical program alongside other medical residents across a range of different specialties, including experience with anesthesiology.
How long does oral surgery take?
Every oral surgery is unique, so the time it takes to perform depends on the procedure itself and the complexity of your case. Simple treatments, like tooth extractions, can take as little time as a few minutes once you’re properly sedated. More complex procedures, like full-arch dental implant placements, can take hours. Your Lafayette oral surgeon will provide you with a personalized treatment plan detailing the procedure, along with details about how to prepare and what to expect on the day of treatment.
How much does oral surgery cost?
Similarly to the time it takes to complete, the cost of oral surgery varies greatly from procedure to procedure. More complex procedures tend to be more expensive than simpler ones. If your oral surgery isn’t covered by your dental and/or medical insurance, there may be financing options available, either in the form of payment plans or loans, so you can get the care you need.
Is oral surgery covered by insurance?
Depending on your coverage and the procedure you are receiving, oral surgery may be covered. Reach out to both your dental and medical insurance providers to see if they cover your treatment, as the surgery from our Lafayette practice may qualify as a medically necessary procedure.
Did You Know…
Most oral surgeries only take 3 days to recover from.