When you hear the words "oral surgery," you may think of a hospital setting, general anaesthesia, and one or more days in recovery from this type of dental procedure. Because of that, you might be surprised to learn what is actually considered oral surgery in dentistry. Many dental procedures performed in a general dental office are considered oral surgery and patients who require such procedures
are booked for it without the inconvenience of being put on a waiting list in a different office for treatment. Here are some examples of oral surgery procedures:
Tooth Extractions
The most recognized form of oral surgery is tooth extraction. Reasons for tooth extraction can include:
- impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth
- teeth beyond repair either from tooth decay,
- root fracture, or trauma
- primary teeth that have failed to fall out,
preventing the eruption of permanent teeth
- orthodontic treatment plans, which may
require the removal of some teeth to reduce
crowding and achieve the optimum result
Dental Implants
Dental implants are becoming a common procedure to replace missing teeth, or to provide stability to a new or existing denture. Performed by a dentist or oral surgeon, the procedure for placing a dental implant may vary depending on the technique used by the dentist or surgeon, and by the type of implant used. Most people who have had a dental implant report the recovery was similar to that of a tooth extraction, and they were able to return to normal eating within a week of the procedure.
