Oral surgery includes surgical procedures conducted on the oral and facial features. Most of these procedures are carried out after we administer local anesthesia to numb the tissues. This prevents pain and discomfort and allows the procedure to be finished in a shorter period.
Oral surgery is a broad term that encompasses several procedures. Some common oral surgery procedures include tooth extraction, bone grafting, dental implant placement, and wisdom teeth removal. Another common oral surgery procedure is facial surgery, which can involve correcting problems such as a misaligned jaw or cleft lip and palate.
Dental Implantation
Dental implants are small titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. They are surgically placed into the jawbone and serve as the anchors for one or more prosthetic teeth. Many patients get dental implants to replace a single missing tooth, but implants can also be used to replace several missing teeth or even an entire arch of teeth.
Bone Graft
A bone graft is a surgery that replaces missing bone. This procedure helps to rebuild your bone and protect your teeth from drifting or getting dislodged. To perform a bone graft, your oral surgeon will gently reshape your bone. Then, they will place donor bone tissue into the area. Over time, your body will replace this donor bone with healthy bone.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is a type of oral surgery that may be performed to increase the amount of bone tissue available in the upper jaw. This is performed on patients who do not have enough bone in their gums and upper jaw to support a dental implant. A sinus lift can also help create sufficient bone tissue in the cheeks and mouth.
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction is the complete removal of a tooth. Tooth extractions are typically performed when a tooth is damaged beyond repair. Surgically extracting a tooth may be the best option especially when the tooth is impacted or hasn’t fully erupted through the gum line. There are many tooth replacement options following an extraction. The most common replacement options are a dental bridge or dental implant.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a procedure that can save a tooth from requiring extraction. When decay or trauma damages the inner part of a tooth (called the pulp), root canal therapy can clear away the pulp, bacteria, and decayed tissue in the tooth. Once the damaged pulp is removed, the tooth is cleaned and sealed. A dental crown is often placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage and to restore its appearance.
The Benefits of Oral Surgery
There are many benefits associated with oral surgery. Not only does it correct dental issues, but it can also improve the appearance of your teeth. For instance, if you have teeth that are damaged by decay or disease, oral surgery can be used to save them. We can remove the affected portions of the tooth and then place a crown over the tooth to prevent further damage.
Fortunately, advances in sedation dentistry make oral surgery comfortable. We could recommend sedation dentistry for patients who experience dental anxiety or who have a low pain threshold. During oral surgery, patients are usually awake the entire time. However, they are completely relaxed and don’t experience any pain.
To find out more about the dental services offered at North End Dental, call (719) 471-1900 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit Dentist Colorado Springs CO at 1705 N Weber St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
