Oral Surgery Questions

You Might Need Oral Surgery

Get Answers To Your Top Oral Surgery Questions

Your oral health and dental healthcare is an essential service, even in the times of the Coronavirus. Unfortunately, many people have been delaying necessary treatment during these times which can lead to severe issues down the line if not identified and treated in time. When a crack or a cavity in a tooth is left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the interior of the tooth, and after a certain point, a dentist is limited in her or his ability to repair the tooth. A combination of a dental filling and a crown can replace much of a tooth’s degraded tissue, but when so little of the tooth remains that not even endodontic treatment such as a root canal can help, the tooth may have to be extracted. Otherwise, the bacteria can permeate the jawbone, dental nerves, and bloodstream, potentially traveling to and infecting other areas of the body. Now that we’re back seeing patients full-time, it’s time to schedule your appointment and let us help identify the root of the problem. Schedule an appointment at Teach Dental Group today and get the answers to your oral surgery questions!

Why Might I Need A Tooth Extraction?

Other factors that may necessitate the extraction of a tooth include gum disease and dental maldevelopment. Due to a genetic predisposition or a simple lack of consistent dental care, the gingiva (gums) can become infected, resulting in gingivitis, an inflammatory disease. Gingivitis, when not treated or carefully managed, can progress to periodontitis, a condition in which the bony tissue of the oral cavity is slowly broken down, loosening the roots of the teeth. A similar condition to affect the gums is the eruption (growing in) of wisdom teeth, which begin to appear in most adults when they reach the age of 21 years. Wisdom teeth once served an evolutionary advantage, but as the human jaw has shrunk, there is insufficient space for wisdom teeth to erupt, forcing them to frequently push against the other molars even before they have breached the surface of the gums.

What Is Dental Implant Surgery?

One of the top oral surgery questions we receive have to do with dental implants. Are you considering dental implants to replace a missing or corroded tooth? During the phase of dental implant treatment, the most ideal situation when an implant is placed is to get that implant stabilization by the surrounding bone. During this process, a small surgical incision will be made into the gum tissue to expose the bone, and drill a hole into the patient’s jaw also known as an osteotomy. Sequentially, we will widen that osteotomy and eventually place some screw threads or pattern into the jawbone, which we will then fixate our implant.

The best case scenario during an implant situation is to get stability of that implant in with the bone. During the healing phase, after the implant is placed, we will suture the tissue closed to allow the maturity of that implant, so your body can grow its natural bone around it and make it nice, secure and stable.

What Is A Bone Graft?

After a tooth is removed, the bony tissue below begins to decrease in thickness and then recede. The cause for this is purely biological; with no tooth to anchor, the bone does not need to remain as thick, just as muscles begin to atrophy when they are not exercised regularly.

To prevent as much bone loss as possible and in order to prepare the area for a future dental implant, a bone graft may be recommended. This procedure is known as ridge augmentation, and it is essential for preserving the integrity of the former tooth’s location for future use and modification. In the rear of the upper jawbone, it is unfortunately not always possible to protect the formerly infected area and prepare it for dental implant installation.

If multiple molars and/or premolars have been lost, or if years have passed since one or more of these teeth have fallen out, the jawbone may be especially thin in that area—too thin to adequately and permanently support a dental implant. A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation, is an effective way to increase the amount of osseous (bony) tissue in the maxilla so that dental implantation can be successful.

Oral surgery is not a process that any patient wants to undergo, as it involves invasive treatment and a prolonged and sometimes uncomfortable recovery. When consistent oral hygienic practices cannot spare a tooth from bacterial infection or sudden injury, however, surgery may be necessary in order to shield the rest of the mouth from further complications. Consult your dentist today about how to effectively protect your teeth and gums, as regular and thorough maintenance of your dental health can help you to avoid oral surgery. Please call our Buffalo dental office today to get a free consultation if you have any questions or think you might need oral surgery!

Schedule A Free Consultation & Get Answers To Your Oral Surgery Questions

Are you or someone you love considering oral surgery to repair or replace your teeth? Teach Dental Group has been serving the West Seneca and Greater Buffalo region for over 40 years and has invested in the latest technology to ensure our treatments are precise, pain-free and as least invasive as possible. We offer free consultations for all patients considering oral surgery and would love to help you get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your oral health.

Now that we’re moving past the coronavirus pandemic, it’s extremely important to ensure you are getting regular dental treatment because your dental health can impact your overall health. Schedule an appointment today. We look forward to welcoming you back into our office post-COVID.

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