Oral surgery has become more prevalent due to the remarkable advancements in technology and the affordability of the procedures. If you are interested in learning more about some of the oral surgery procedures done most frequently by practices today, read on. These and more are done with skill and professionalism by our team at Oral and Facial Surgeons of Arizona.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is practiced in cases where a patient’s jawbone is too soft or isn’t the required thickness for dental implant surgery. A bone graft is a way to create a more solid support system for the implant. This act entails removing a piece of bone from one part of your body or jaw and attaching it to your jawbone.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
This is one of the most common oral surgeries across the board. Wisdom teeth are the final set of teeth to take shape in your mouth and they often do not emerge completely or do not have sufficient room to sit once grown in. This can lead to infection, pain and swelling in the surrounding tissue, in addition to permanent damage of nearby teeth, bone and gums. Due to this potential damage, dentists often recommend these patients to oral surgeons who can surgically extract problematic wisdom teeth.
Impacted Canines
Other teeth that have the ability to become impacted are the canines. These are the final set of front teeth to emerge and are crucial to the function of the surrounding structures and overall alignment. If these are impacted (that is, stuck, blocked, or otherwise prevented from fully erupting), dentists often encourage correcting them.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery can solve a variety of oral health issues – especially those that stem from misaligned lower and upper jaws. Its primary goal is to positively impact your jaw function, chewing, breathing, and speaking abilities. In many cases it can dramatically improve a person’s appearance as well. Common conditions where this procedure is appropriate include:
• Facial injury or birth defects
• Difficulty with chewing or biting
• Chronic jaw pain or headaches
• Teeth grinding or clenching, leading to excessive tooth wear