Oral SurgeonTucson, AZ

The need for oral surgery

A surgical procedure may be necessary for several reasons. The most important of all is oral health. Tooth decay is rampant, but with regular oral care, early detection and treatment can take place before discomfort and infection escalate. Unfortunately, many people do not keep up with regular dental checkups, and this may usher in infections. Sometimes the decay worsens to the point where tooth extraction by an oral surgeon is necessary to stop the pain.

Another common reason to perform oral surgery is to extract wisdom teeth. Although they may not always be problematic or pose an immediate health threat, they can become impacted and cause severe discomfort. Removing them is a necessary procedure to prevent potential infections and prevent wisdom teeth from wreaking havoc on other teeth.

Most people also undergo oral surgery for cosmetic purposes, mainly to replace lost teeth with dental implants. A dental implant restoration is a secure and durable tooth replacement because it replaces the tooth root with a titanium post, which supports the new artificial tooth. Titanium is usually used because it is strong and biocompatible, meaning the body sees it as natural matter. The implant fuses with the jawbone over several months and forms the new root system. When the final prosthesis is attached, it will function and look like a natural tooth.

Oral surgery services

An oral surgeon can provide any of the following services:

• Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery: Oral surgeons can treat facial bone, oral soft tissues and jaw problems caused by trauma or removal of tumors and cysts. They perform corrective surgeries to restore form and function to the maxillofacial area. This often requires transplanting bone, skin, nerves and tissues from other areas of the body to reconstruct the face and jaws.
• Corrective jaw surgery: Oral surgeons can correct irregularities with the jawbone to improve speech, eating and breathing. They can perform surgical reconstruction and realign the upper and lower jaw into their proper form to improve facial aesthetics and biting function. An oral surgeon can also correct congenital disabilities of the face and skull, such as a cleft palate and cleft lip.
• Bone and gum graft procedure: When a patient who needs dental implants does not have enough bone to support the implants, the surgeon can rebuild the bone in that area. They can also modify the gum tissues to provide a more natural and attractive appearance, such as by using a laser fiber, PerioLase MVP-7, to clean the periodontal pocket before shaping the gums.

Preparing for oral surgery

One of the oral surgeon’s goals is to keep the patient comfortable throughout the procedure, and that includes helping them prepare. Before the surgery, the dentist will review the process, step by step, so patients know what to expect. Usually, the patient will need to avoid eating before the procedure. This is standard practice if the patient will receive anesthesia.

Also, it is advisable to buy and store ice packs for use after the procedure. Due to the nature of certain surgical procedures, the patient will be in no condition to drive, so they will have to arrange for transportation back home. It is a good idea to buy soft foods, recommended drugs and anything else that will keep them comfortable.

Education and training for an oral surgeon

To get a certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, an oral surgeon must finish from an accredited dental school and obtain a license from the state where they practice. They will also complete four or more years of training in a residency program. During their training, they will learn about different aspects of general surgery, medicine and pathology. They may provide their services in surgery centers, hospitals, outpatient facilities and dental practice settings.