Dental surgery encompasses a range of procedures performed to address various oral health issues, from correcting structural abnormalities to treating disease and injury. These procedures are typically carried out by oral surgeons or dentists with specialized training in surgical techniques.
Common types of dental surgery include:
- Tooth Extraction: Removal of damaged, decayed, or impacted teeth that cannot be restored or pose a risk to oral health.
- Wisdom Tooth Removal: Extraction of third molars (wisdom teeth) that are impacted, causing pain, crowding, or other complications.
- Dental Implant Placement: Surgical placement of artificial tooth roots (implants) into the jawbone to support dental prostheses like crowns, bridges, or dentures.
- Bone Grafting: Procedure to augment or rebuild bone in the jaw to support dental implants or restore facial contours.
- Gum Surgery: Treatment of gum disease or gingival recession through procedures like gingivectomy (removal of gum tissue) or gum grafting (replacing lost gum tissue).
- Orthognathic Surgery: Corrective jaw surgery to address issues such as misalignment, malocclusion, or facial asymmetry.
- Apicoectomy: Surgical removal of the tip of a tooth’s root to treat persistent infection or inflammation following root canal treatment.
- Biopsy: Removal of tissue for examination to diagnose oral lesions, tumors, or other abnormalities.
Dental surgery, performed under various forms of anesthesia depending on complexity and patient preference, is crucial for addressing oral health issues. Pre-operative assessments and discussions about post-operative care are common, alongside instructions for pain management and follow-up appointments. This collaborative approach between patients, dentists, and oral surgeons ensures safe and effective outcomes, restoring function, aesthetics, and overall well-being.
