There are several conditions that might require oral surgery. These include:
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The last teeth that develop are the wisdom teeth. Sometimes when these teeth come through the gum line the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but more often than not this is not what happens. Commonly one or more of these wisdom teeth will fail to emerge in the proper alignment or will fail to emerge fully and will become "impacted" – stuck between the jawbone and the gum. This can cause swelling, pain, and infection of the gum tissue surrounding it. Impacted teeth might also cause permanent damage to teeth nearby as well as to gums and bone. Cysts or tumours might form that can go on to destroy portions of the jaw. Dentists will therefore recommend that people with impacted wisdom teeth undergo surgical removal.
It's not only wisdom teeth that can become impacted and need to be taken out. Other teeth, such as the bicuspids and cuspids can also get impacted causing the same types of problems.
Surgery to insert dental implants is another common surgery. This is a great option for tooth loss that has occurred due to an accident or infection and can be an alternative to dentures or a bridge. Implants are tooth root substitutes surgically anchored in the jawbone that stabilise artificial teeth. Candidates who will benefit from dental implants will need to have adequate bone level and density and must not be prone to infection, and importantly should be willing to maintain good oral hygiene.
- Unequal growth in the jaw - In some people their upper and lower jaws don’t grow properly causing difficulty in eating, speaking, swallowing, and even sometimes breathing. Some problems -- like teeth alignment -- can be successfully corrected with braces and other orthodontic appliances. Some more serious problems will need oral surgery to move the lower or upper jaw, of both of them to a new position with more balance, function, and overall health.
- Improving the fit of dentures - For first-time wearers ofdentures, oral surgery can be carried out to correct irregularities of the jaws before dentures are made to ensure a better fit. Oral surgery can also help denture wearers in the long term. Supporting bone often deteriorates over time, resulting in dentures that no longer fit properly. In severe cases, an oral surgeon can add a bone graft to areas where little bone remains.
- Disorders of the temperomandibular joint (TMJ) - If there is dysfunction of the small joint in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet, headaches and facial pain can result. TMJ disorders can be successfully treated using a combination of oral medication and physical therapy along with splints. Joint surgery is an option for advanced cases.
Other Conditions Treated By Oral Surgery
- Repair of facial injury - Oral surgery is used to repair broken facial bones and fractured jaws.
- Biopsy of removed lesion - Oral surgeons will take small samples of any abnormal growth or tissue sending it for laboratory analysis. Some lesions might respond to medical treatment while others will have to be removed by an oral surgeon.
- Cleft palate and cleft lip repair - Cleft palate and lip result when all or some parts of the mouth and nasal cavity don’t grow together properly during the development of a foetus. The result will be a gap in the lip as well as a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. Oral surgeons work as part of a larger team of other specialists to correct these problems.
- Infections of the face - Swelling and pain in the face, the neck, or in either jaw might mean there is an infection. Infections in these areas will sometimes develop into emergencies if they are not treated fast. An oral surgeon can help to diagnose and treat this type of problem. Surgical treatment might require cutting into and draining an area that is infected extracting any teeth involved.
- Sleep Apnea/snoring - When other nonsurgical methods like positive pressure air machines or dental splint appliances do not alleviate this problem, surgery can be attempted. Surgical procedures will involve taking away the soft tissues at the back of the mouth called the oropharynx or the lower jaw. Laser surgery is now a treatment option that has been developed
If you think that you may need oral surgery, Dentists Near Me have a comprehensive list of professionals that you can contact at a location convenient to you.