The most common dental problems are easily addressed. If you have a cavity, you get a filling. If you need braces, you see the orthodontist. It’s not fun, but it happens thousands of times per day across the country. But other problems are more involved and require oral surgery. Oral surgery is the term used for procedures that require incisions in your mouth or jaw. It can be completed either under local anesthesia or by using sedation dentistry. In addition to taking care of your general dental needs, trust Lovett Splendid Atascocita to address the most severe dental issues. Our oral surgery team will help you through with the least amount of discomfort and anxiety possible.

dentist performing oral surgeryWhat Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery is a dental specialty that helps repair significant and sometimes dangerous problems, some of which can cause pain or lingering infections. Some oral surgery issues are simply a function of getting older, such as needing to extract wisdom teeth. Other procedures that require the skill and expertise of an oral surgeon include:

  • Repair of damage to teeth or jaw after an injury
  • Root canal
  • Installing implants
  • Gum graft
  • Maxillofacial surgery

Oral surgery does require a significant commitment by you and your dental care team. You’ll likely receive careful after-care instructions and may be asked to return for follow-up visits. Some procedures, such as root canals, also require multiple visits. Oral surgery is something we’d all like to avoid, but sometimes it’s just not possible.

What to Expect During Oral Surgery

Different oral surgeries involve different processes. Because every problem is different, there is no single treatment plan for everyone. But you can expect to go through a few standard phases during the procedure.

First, you may be asked to fast the night before. This means no food and only water leading up to the procedure, particularly if you’re going to be put under general anesthesia or other forms of sedation.

Most procedures can be done on an outpatient basis. But more involved operations, such as jaw surgery, will require you to be in the hospital for a period of two to four days. During the procedure, you’ll receive either local anesthesia, such as Novocain or a stronger drug, mild sedation, or general anesthesia. Instructions from your dentist may differ depending on which level of sedation.

Post-procedure, your dentist will give you instructions for ways to control and ease your discomfort. You’ll want to stop bleeding and address swelling. You may be advised to take over-the-counter pain medications and be careful about solid foods. Oral surgery, as we said, is no picnic. But the experienced team Lovett Splendid Atascocita will make you as comfortable as possible.

Oral Surgery Fast Facts

The demand for oral surgery is difficult to measure because it’s a specialty with multiple facets. But looking at a few specific areas gives a good idea of how widespread it is. The American Association of Endodontists estimates that oral surgeons perform more than fifteen million root canals each year. That comes out to an average of forty-one thousand root canals per day. Oral surgery represents a fundamentally important element of the dental specialty.

The Dental Care You Deserve at Splendid Dental Atascocita

Taking care of your teeth throughout your life requires commitment. When you’re young and nothing’s bothering you, it’s easy to avoid going to the dentist. Don’t make this mistake. Lovett Splendid Atascocita has the team to address your complete needs, whether they are for specialty or general dentistry. Our experienced clinical team offers services, including:

Call us at 713-244-7790 for a thorough intake appointment and treatment plan for oral surgery today.