What are the Different Types of Oral Surgery Procedures?

 Prepare for oral surgery in the same way you would for any serious medical procedure, depending on the type of surgery, and always make sure to follow your dentist’s direction. Start by making sure that the space you’re returning home to is clean and neat, so you’re comfortable for at least a couple of days, if necessary. Set up your bed so that, if need be, you can sit at an incline. Follow the pre-surgery instructions your oral surgeon gives you. Typically you will be asked to refrain from eating or drinking anything in the 8-10 hours before your surgery. Arrange for transportation back home, if necessary. Talk to your oral surgeon about what kind of anesthesia you’ll be getting. Some types of anesthesia can inhibit your ability to drive. This depends on the type of oral surgery you’re having as you may have a topical or local anesthetic. If you are having IV anesthesia, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

Dental surgery is needed for many reasons such as a smile makeover, or to correct an injury. Other dental surgery may be a simple extraction such as wisdom teeth removal. Dental surgery allows doctors to correct conditions or improve a patient’s smile. Typically, dental surgery is outpatient, and your dentist may have referred you to an oral surgeon nearby. At Wellesley Oral Surgery & Implant Center, we focus on prevention and practicing good oral hygiene habits to keep our teeth and mouth healthy. Our doctors have years of experience in oral surgery, and always put our patient’s health first. Many people need oral surgery at some point in their life, and finding a good oral surgeon you can trust is important.

oral surgery recovery: Your oral surgery recovery is of critical importance to the outcomes you and your dentists have discussed. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol afterward—they can slow your healing process. If you’re in any pain from swelling, use an ice pack to reduce inflammation. Rather than brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with salt water every few hours to kill off any bacteria. Be patient with yourself. Depending on the type of oral surgery you’ve had, recovery can range from 48 hours to 1 month. Make sure you follow up with your dentist as directed.

Dental implant installation: Implants are a popular way to replace missing teeth, and their installation requires oral surgery. The implant is a rod or screw that is surgically inserted into the patient's jaw. Most implants are made with titanium, but they are sometimes made with other materials, like zirconium. A crown might be attached to the implant once it is placed depending on the type of implant used and how healthy the patient's jaw is. Others might have to wait up to six months for surrounding bone tissue to fuse with the implant.

Tooth extractions & Bone grafting: At times, a patient needs a tooth extracted and a simple extraction will not get the job done. When this is the case, a surgical extraction is performed. This involves the oral surgeon making an incision into the patient's gums so the tooth can be reached and extracted. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Common reasons a tooth might be extracted include severe tooth decay, damage, or infection. This surgical procedure is performed when a person does not have sufficient jaw bone tissue. This can be the result of failing to replace a missing tooth or a dental condition that deteriorates jawbone tissue. Bone grafting is also performed when a patient wants implants but lacks the bone tissue needed to hold the oral prosthetic in place.

Sleep apnea treatment & Corrective jaw surgery: Surgery is sometimes needed to address sleep apnea. This condition leads to a person's airways become blocked during sleep. This leads to interruptions to their sleep cycle as their body wakes them up so proper breathing can be restored. Surgery can be used to remove excess soft tissues that may be blocking a patient's airways. It can be used as a permanent solution for some types of sleep apnea. Also called orthognathic surgery, this is used to fix a variety of minor and major dental and skeletal irregularities, like a misaligned jaw. The procedure can drastically improve the patient's ability to breathe, speak and chew properly.

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Cedar Park