Oral Surgery Can Fix Common Dental Problems

By Jill Feilmeier on September 10, 2013 in Dental Health

Dental surgery isn't as scary as it sounds. Sometimes it is necessary and can actually save you from pain later down the road. Here's a look at some common problems and surgical solutions.

Wisdom Teeth: Commonly known as third molars, wisdom teeth are last to develop. Sometimes these teeth emerge from the gum line and the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but most of the time, it's not the case. More often, one of these teeth fails to emerge through the gum line and becomes “impacted” between the jawbone and the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to:

• Swelling, pain or infection of the gum tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth.
• Damage to nearby teeth, gums and bone.
• The formation of cysts or tumors that can destroy sections of the jaw.

Dentists recommend people who have impacted wisdom teeth have them surgically removed.

Tooth Loss: Dental implants are an option for tooth loss due to an accident or infection or as an alternative to dentures. Implants are surgically anchored in place in the jawbone to stabilize the attached artificial teeth. Suitable candidates for dental implants must:

• Have adequate bone level and density.
• Not be prone to infection.
• Must be willing to maintain good oral hygiene practices.

Other common dental surgeries are performed for jaw-related problems and injury repair for fractured jaws and broken facial bones. Oral surgeons also can remove a small sample or abnormal growth or tissue and send it to for laboratory testing.

Have you ever had oral surgery? Tell us about your experience in the comments.