Purpose | Types | Cost | Risks | Preparation | Recovery
What is Dental Surgery?
The term ” Dental Surgery “refers to different medical procedures involved when Modifying or repairing problems of the teeth and jaw bones.
There are different types of dental surgery. Your medical condition will determine the type of procedure to be used by the oral surgeon.
Why Dental Surgery is done.
Dental surgery is done to correct tooth and jaw abnormalities. These abnormalities may have been caused by injuries, birth defect, disease and others.
Some of the conditions that may require oral surgeons to perform a surgery include:
- Abnormal teeth growth
- Facial infections
- Unequal jaw growth or a misaligned jaw.
- Dental implants and Dentures
- Cleft lip and cleft palate repair
- Impacted teeth removal
- Wisdom teeth removal
- facial bone and facial soft tissue problems
- Root canal treatment (endodontic surgery)
- Abscess or cyst
- Periodontal problems
- Fractures of jaw bones
- Cancers of the oral cavity
Most of these conditions may require a dental surgery. More so if the problem causes serious health problems.
Types of Dental Surgery.
There are several types of dental surgery. The type to be used will depend on your medical condition.
Some of the common types include;
Endodontic
Endodontic surgery involves locating and treating damaged root surfaces, small fractures, and hidden canals.
The surgery can also be done to remove calcium deposits in root canals.
Apicoectomy
Apicoectomy also called endodontic microsurgery is conducted to remove an infected tissue, root tip, or apex after a root canal treatment.
Prosthodontics (dental prosthetics).
If you want to restore and replacement your teeth, then you should see a Prosthodontics surgeon.
Prosthodontics involves replacing or restoring lost or damaged teeth. The surgeon may use dental implants, bridges, dentures crowns to restore your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment
If your teeth are not straight, stick out, are crowded, look unsightly or crooked, then you should consider going for an orthodontic treatment.
Your dentists will straighten the teeth or move them into a better position improving your teeth appearance and physical look.
Periodontics
This procedure is used to treat periodontal diseases. The dentist or periodontist can also use the procedure to place dental implants and treat oral inflammation.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
This type of surgery is used by your dentist to treat a broad range of disorders.
The disorders may be caused by injuries, diseases, and defects that affect the jaw, oral mouth, neck, and head.
Cost of Dental Surgery.
The cost of a Dental surgery varies from one practice to another.
Even if the oral surgeons are in the same geographical area, there are a number of factors that affect the cost of the surgery.
You can expect the cost of dental surgery to range somewhere from $75-$3,000 depending on the type of treatment.
A number of factors that affect the cost of dental surgery include:
- The type of procedure to be done.
- Your geographical location
- Procedures like X-ray &anaesthesia
- Experience of the surgeon.
The Risks/ Complications of a Dental Surgery.
There is no one single surgery without some risk. Below are possible risks associated with Dental surgery.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Dry Socket (Alveolitis)
- Osteomyelitis
- swelling and pain
- Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
- Infections
- Permanent numbness of the lip, tongue and/or chin
How to prepare for a Dental Surgery.
Dentist recommends that you don’t take anything including 8-12 hours before surgery. This is because IV anesthesia must be administered on an empty stomach.
Make sure you discuss with your oral surgeon any burning issue or medication condition if any.
Finally, ask questions to your oral surgeon of anything you need clarification about.
Dental Surgery Recovery
After Surgery, you will now enter the recovery period. The recovery time will depend on the type of procedure you have undergone and how fast your body recovers
During this time, you will be given pain medication and antibiotics to protect you from getting infections.
Your Oral surgeon will give you instructions on how you will conduct yourself during the recovery period to enhance your recovery speed.
