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Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is a broad
field that addresses the different problems that can occur within the
mouth. Most are related to the teeth,
though some problems may involve the jaw or the gums.
Here is a list of common
problems that are treated by oral surgery:
Tooth loss: When a patient
loses a tooth from disease or injury, a dental implant can be placed into the
mouth. This is an alternative to
removable dentures, and can be more natural looking. A dental implant must be anchored into the jawbone for stability,
so ideal patients must be healthy, hygienic, and have good bone density.
Impacted teeth: Most cases
of impacted teeth are related to the wisdom teeth. These are the last molars to emerge in a fully developed
mouth. Impacted teeth are the result of
insufficient room in the jaw for these large molars. As they grow, the wisdom teeth can become trapped in the gum
tissue. This condition often results in
swelling, pain, and some bleeding.
Impacted teeth can also change the alignment of your other teeth by
adding pressure. Most dentists wouldn’t
recommend that you keep impacted teeth because of the health problems they
raise, so surgical removal is the common treatment.
Jaw alignment: as you grow,
the upper and lower jaw can fail to align properly. This creates a slew of problems with speaking, chewing,
swallowing, and breathing. While some
of these alignments can be fixed with braces, the more serious cases require
surgery to change the position of the jaws.
Temporomandibular joint:
Otherwise known as the TMJ, this joint in front of the ear where the lower jaw
pivots is a common problem area.
Problems with this joint can cause headache and pain that never goes
away. Lesser cases can be corrected
with medication, therapy, and splints.
However, a more serious case would require reconstruction of the joint.
Dentures: People with
missing teeth often opt for dentures instead of implants. However, some pre-emptive surgery may be
required to make room for the dentures to fit properly.
There are many more problems
associated with the face that can be treated with oral surgery. Things like infection, growths, damage from
accidents, and facial deformations can all be treated effectively.
For more information
specific to your needs, please consult a certified oral surgeon in your area.
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