Oral surgery procedures are performed for a variety of reasons, such as extracting a tooth that is impacted, placing a dental implant to restore a lost tooth, or treating gum disease. These procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia. If you have severe dental anxiety, our dentist at Van Buren Smiles can discuss additional sedation options with you to ensure you have a stress-free experience.
Why Would I Need Oral Surgery?
When a tooth needs to be removed or is lost, patients should consult a dentist to discuss options for replacing the tooth and preserving the health and integrity of the remaining teeth and jawbone. A missing tooth should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent the other teeth from shifting out of place or becoming misaligned.
At Van Buren Smiles, our options for replacing missing teeth include dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks and should be considered carefully before any work is done to replace the tooth. If a dental implant needs to be placed, an oral surgery procedure will be performed.
An oral surgery procedure may also be necessary if your teeth are badly decayed, broken, infected, or damaged due to an injury. Oral surgery is also performed when a tooth is impacted, namely stuck beneath the gums and unable to erupt properly.
In some cases, the dentist may recommend a surgical extraction if you have overcrowding issues where your jaw is not large enough to accommodate a complete set of teeth. The surgery helps create more space in your mouth so that your other teeth will have the room they need to develop or align correctly.
Common Types of Oral Surgery Procedures
Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontal Surgery)
Oral surgery may be performed to treat gum disease and prevent tooth loss. In the course of this procedure, the dentist will eliminate diseased gum tissue and help the healthy tissue regenerate and reattach to the teeth.
Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed and cannot be saved with a root canal or other restoration, the tooth may need to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of the mouth and other teeth.
Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically inserted into a healthy jawbone to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental implants can stabilize dentures or fixed bridges or be placed individually for single crowns.
For the best dental care customized to your needs, visit Van Buren Smiles at 6270 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92503, or call (951) 603-3600.
