Why would you need to see an oral surgeon?
Oral surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons treat disease or injuries around the jaw and mouth. These specialists often have a medical degree and have received additional training beyond regular dentistry. You might need to see an oral surgeon for:
- Extraction of wisdom teeth
- Impacted teeth
- Oral cancer
- Oral infections
- Corrective or cosmetic surgery
- Dental implants
- Removal of root fragments of a broken tooth
- Temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ)
- Sleep apnea
What happens during an oral surgeon consultation?
You will meet the surgeon during an oral surgeon consultation and learn about treatment options. The oral surgeon will review your current and health history, medications, past surgeries, and drug allergies. Your oral health will be evaluated, along with any symptoms you are currently experiencing. The surgeon will review records from your regular dentist. Additional x-rays or tests might be ordered.
Once your surgeon decides the procedure that will be necessary, they’ll discuss options for anesthesia with you. Choices can vary from local to general anesthesia.
What procedures do oral surgeons do?
Oral surgeons do a wide variety of procedures. Some of the more common procedures include:
- Tooth extraction or tooth removal. Often referred to as “pulling a tooth.” You might need this procedure if you have tooth decay, gum disease, or damage to a tooth.
- Dental bone graft. You might need this procedure if you’ve lost bone in the jaw. This can happen with severe gum disease. A strong bone is required to hold dental implants.
- Dental implants. These are an option for replacing lost or damaged teeth.
- Periodontal surgery. This procedure treats gum disease by deep cleaning along the roots of the teeth after incisions are made to move the gum out of the way.
- Corrective jaw surgery. Can correct TMJ, or problems with the jaw bone.
- Sleep apnea surgery. Severe cases of sleep apnea may require surgery.
- Cleft lip and palate repair. Babies born with these conditions need surgical repair to enable normal eating and speech function.
Why do I need a consultation before a tooth extraction?
Consultation before a tooth extraction is important, so your dental surgeon knows if you have any underlying health conditions that could impact the procedure. For example, patients with some heart conditions may need to take an antibiotic before a dental procedure. Or some medications may need to be held (like blood thinners) or doses adjusted before tooth extraction.
Also, your surgeon will help you select anesthesia for your procedure at your consultation. Options available include oral sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Some medical conditions limit the types of anesthesia you can have, therefore the consultation is important to plan your anesthesia.
Do oral surgeons put you under?
General anesthesia is one type of anesthesia that oral surgeons can provide. With this type of anesthesia, you are completely asleep throughout the procedure.
Is oral surgery considered major surgery?
Some oral surgeries are considered major surgeries, while others are minor. Most outpatient procedures that are done in the office fall under minor surgery. If you will need general anesthesia and your procedure is being done at a medical center or hospital, it may be a major surgery. Major surgical procedures include fractured jaw repair and surgeries to repair facial trauma.
