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You may have a dentist that you trust and have gone to for many years. However, sometimes your dentist may recommend that you visit a specialist such as an oral surgeon. For example, if you have an impacted wisdom tooth you may wonder why you have to go to see a specialist. The truth is oral maxillofacial surgeons are the best care providers for a plethora of surgical services. After they finish dental school, oral surgeons get their medical degrees and spend years training alongside experienced practitioners in general surgery and anesthesiology. Oral surgeons in Richardson, TX, can also perform plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery of the face and mouth.

Special skill sets for oral surgery include the following:

• Perform complex tooth extractions including wisdom teeth
• Provide treatment and placement for dental implants
• Diagnose and treat TMJ and other conditions involving facial pain
• Surgically treat obstructions causing sleep apnea
• Reconstruct the jaw to correct deformities and repair injured bone
• Remove tumors and cysts
• Treat oral cancer in the maxillofacial area

Many dentists in Richardson, TX, refer their patients to NextGen OMS. Our experienced surgeon can perform complex tooth extractions and other dental procedures.

Why People Need Oral Surgery

If you have experienced a traumatic injury or your dentist has referred you to an oral surgeon, it’s because they feel you would benefit from the expertise of these specialists. For example, you or your child may have an impacted tooth that has not emerged above the gum line or you may need to have implants installed before your dentist can put in permanent dentures. The following sections explain some of the most common procedures performed by surgeons.

Tooth Extraction

Sometimes, despite treatment, your dentist cannot save a tooth. Typically, the dentist will remove the tooth at their office. However, not all tooth extractions are simple. If a tooth has not emerged above the gums, it can become infected or grow sideways, pushing your other teeth out of alignment and causing pain. Complicated extractions often require advanced oral surgery.

Jaw Problems

Patients who have chronic jaw pain often seek oral surgery to remedy their specific problems. Because they have specialized training, oral maxillofacial surgeons can consult with the patient and determine whether they need surgery or other treatment to improve their conditions.

Dental Implants

If you lose a tooth due to extraction, you can replace it with a dental implant. The dental implant holds the crown and restores your smile. Oral surgery provides the safest option to regain natural-looking teeth.

Cancer of the Mouth

Anytime someone hears the word cancer, it triggers immediate feelings of anxiety and worry. With a skilled oral surgeon, you can receive surgical treatment for tumor removal and follow-up reconstructive surgery, if necessary. For advanced or recurring cancer, you may also need cancer therapy to promote complete healing.

What Happens During Tooth Extraction Surgery?

If your dentist cannot perform a simple extraction, you may need to visit the oral surgeon to have the tooth taken out. Simple extractions involve a tooth that is exposed above the gumline that the dentist can remove easily. However, sometimes, a tooth breaks into pieces, some of which remain under the gums. In this case, an oral surgeon is best equipped to handle the procedure.

To prepare you for the procedure, the surgeon numbs the area around the tooth. if you have multiple teeth that need to come out, the surgeon may deliver anesthesia to minimize your discomfort.

During tooth extraction surgery, the surgeon removes bone and gum tissue on top of the impacted tooth, if necessary. Then, they use forceps and other instruments to remove the tooth from the jawbone. If the tooth has cracked into pieces, the surgeon will extract all the pieces to prevent infection and pain.

After the tooth comes out, there’s typically a lot of bleeding, so the oral surgeon will pack it with gauze and ask you to bite down to help the bleeding stop faster. If you have stitches following your procedure, they usually dissolve on their own or you can make an appointment to get them removed after the tooth has healed.

Although each oral surgery has its unique characteristics, many of the steps are the same. The surgeon may need to make an incision or pull back the gums to reach the area being treated.

What About After the Surgery

Follow the instructions of the surgeon carefully to avoid complications following your surgery. Take extra care with your gums and teeth as they heal from the surgery. In rare cases, some patients develop a condition called dry socket in which the wound reopens and exposes the bone. If you follow your doctor’s instructions and minimize activity for at least a full day, your mouth should heal properly.

Besides ice packs to reduce swelling, your oral surgeon may recommend medication to help with the pain. You may have to modify your diet to reduce the risk of complications. If you have any questions regarding your recovery, do not hesitate to call our office for instructions.

Contact NextGen OMS Today

When you’re in pain, you need the help of a consummate professional at the top of their field. Dr. Eftekhari at NextGen OMS has the credentials to prove his expertise and he treats hundreds of patients every year. When you come to us for help, you receive a personalized care plan, and the doctor will take your full medical and dental history into account when planning your oral surgery.

Contact NextGen OMS today to set up an appointment or find out more about our services.