eTopical Precious Finds
Most people wouldn’t have their mouths in mind when thinking of surgery. Oral surgery is, however, a necessity for some. Dentists could recommend surgery on the face and mouth for various reasons, and considering the option could seem daunting.
Not all conditions will require major surgery, and there are lesser serious procedures that doctors could regard as surgery that they perform with localized numbing instead of general anesthesia. There are signs that you may need oral surgery and should be discussed with your dentist first to get all the information before consulting with an oral surgeon. Read on to learn about them.
- Adults With Loose Teeth
Children get excited about having loose teeth because then the tooth fairy will visit them. However, for adults, it brings about some stress, especially it hinders them from eating properly. After losing our baby teeth, there is only one set of teeth that replace them that should last a lifetime.
There could be different reasons for teeth to become loose, like loss of bone density in the jaw. Dentists could determine the exact cause and recommend the best procedure for each case. To discuss this with a professional, click here.
- Extraction Of Teeth Is Not Possible
For some people, the extraction of teeth is not an option. Their roots are too profoundly set into their jaw bone, or they have impacted teeth like a wisdom tooth that never fully emerged.
These would also be reasons for someone to consider oral surgery, especially if these teeth are causing them immense pain or discomfort.
- The Anatomy Of Your Mouth Affects Other Bodily Functions
When functions like sleeping or breathing are affected, it may be time to look at surgical options for the mouth or face to assist the patient and bring relief. Oral surgery is about more than only teeth, and sometimes it may be necessary to have procedures done for something other than teeth. Oral surgeons could help remove some of the soft tissue from the pallet to prevent snoring and breathing issues for patients, giving them a more relaxed night’s rest.
- Infections That Do Not Subside
Infections are an indication of bacteria or viruses that invade the body. For the most part, these could clear up fairly quickly with the proper medications. However, some patients have a recurring infection that some deeper issues could cause. An oral surgery procedure could then be the only option for dentists to recommend.
- Misalignment Of The Teeth Or Jaw
When teeth are not aligned, the person could struggle to chew or speak properly. In some cases, an orthodontist can fix the misalignment using braces. However, for others, surgery may be the only option to correct it.
- Disfunctions Of The TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the lower jaw meets the skull in front of the ears. Any problems with the TMJ could be intensely painful and highly uncomfortable for the patient. Although alternatives could resolve some of the issues with the TMJ without having to do surgery, most patients opt to have a more permanent solution than therapy for this issue.
- Missing Or Broken Tooth
Medications and loss of bone density could cause teeth to fall out or break easily, and the repair or replacement of the tooth could be challenging. If the patient has healthy gums and bone density, dental implant surgery could be an excellent option to replace the broken or missing teeth.
- Trauma To The Face Or Mouth
Car accidents, boxing or other sports, or any other trauma to the face could need surgery to repair. Sometimes long after the initial injury, there could be complications to the healing process like infections or misalignments that could be uncomfortable or painful. Patients could need a second surgery to the face or mouth to correct these.
The Final Word
There are many reasons dentists recommend surgery for the mouth, teeth, face, or jaw. Not everyone will be open to the suggestion of going under the knife, but in some cases, there is no alternative. As long as the procedure restores form and function for the patient, they may want to consider their options.
A professional dentist with experience in oral surgeries should be the first port of call to establish these options and if surgery is indeed one of them. Surgeries are there to improve the quality of life for a patient, and dentists wouldn’t recommend them if they weren’t necessary. After all, they want what is best for their patient, even when the procedure has to be surgical.
To ease any nerves regarding the surgery, discuss it with your dentist. Get the answers to all the questions to make an informed decision. Think of the final results and what it could mean for comfort and relief. This way, the choice may be easier to make.
