Oral Surgery

Oral Surgery is a specialty of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, surgery and treatment of diseases, injuries and defects of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, teeth, gums and jaws. It may consist of dental implants, extractions including wisdom teeth extractions, facial trauma, corrective jaw surgery, oral pathology and bone grafts.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

A wisdom tooth is among the last teeth to develop. Sometimes it will emerge from the gum line and the jaw is large enough to accommodate it. But most of the time, a wisdom tooth fails to emerge in proper alignment or fails to fully emerge through the gum line and becomes entrapped or “impacted” between the jawbone and the gum tissue. An impacted wisdom tooth can result in swelling, pain or infection of gum tissue, or even permanent damage to nearby teeth, gums, and bone. In extreme situations, it may lead to the formation of cysts or tumors. Therefore, dentists recommend extractions, i.e. people have their impacted wisdom teeth surgically removed.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a common way of replacing missing teeth or to provide strength to a denture. They are substitutes for tooth root and are surgically anchored into the jawbone. Dental implants are suitable for people who have adequate bone density and are not prone to infection. They are preformed by a dentist or oral surgeon. People who have had an implant find that their recovery is similar to that of a tooth extraction and that they can return to normal eating and drinking within a week of the procedure.

Most people think of a hospital setting and general anesthesia when they hear about oral surgery, but that is not usually the case. Most common procedures done in a dentist’s office are considered oral surgery. So give us a call and make an appointment with us. Let Dr. Happy Smiles help you maintain oral health.