Common Reasons for Oral Surgery: Is It the Right Choice for You?

Oral surgery might sound intimidating, but it’s often the key to resolving serious dental issues that can’t be fixed with routine care. Whether it’s dealing with impacted teeth, jaw misalignment, or recovering from injury, knowing when surgery is the right choice is crucial. Learn about the most frequent causes of oral surgery and how it supports a healthier, more confident smile.

1. Impacted Teeth

One of the most common reasons people undergo oral surgery near you is due to impacted teeth. Impacted teeth are those that don’t completely emerge from the gums, often affecting the wisdom teeth. It can lead to several complications.

What are impacted teeth?

• These teeth fail to come through the gum tissue properly, either because they’re blocked by other teeth or because they grow at an angle.

Risks and symptoms of impacted teeth:

• Pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth.

• Infection or swelling around the affected area.
• Difficulty chewing or speaking.

• Damage to adjacent teeth if the pressure from the impacted tooth builds up.

How can oral surgery help?

• Oral surgery services can address impacted teeth by removing them, thus relieving pain and preventing further complications. The surgery can also prevent potential infections or the spread of decay to nearby teeth.

Timely treatment can reduce the risk of future, more complex oral health issues.

2. Jaw Alignment Issues

When your jaw is misaligned, it can create numerous problems that affect both your appearance and your ability to eat, speak, and breathe. Misalignment can result from genetics, trauma, or developmental issues.

What causes jaw alignment issues?

• Misalignment can stem from inherited conditions or trauma, and in some cases, it’s caused by an underbite, overbite, or crossbite.

Signs you might need surgery:

• Difficulty biting or chewing.

• Problems with speech or swallowing.

• Chronic jaw pain or discomfort.

• Teeth that wear down unnaturally.

What can oral surgery do?

• Orthognathic surgery is a common surgical procedure used to correct jaw misalignment. It can realign the jaw, improve bite function, and enhance facial aesthetics. This type of surgery is typically recommended when other treatments, such as braces, aren’t enough to fix the problem.

If you’ve been told by a dentist in Dayton that your jaw needs realignment, surgery might be the best way forward to improve both function and comfort.

3. Severe Tooth Decay or Infection

Severe tooth decay or infection often requires a surgical approach, especially when the damage extends to the pulp or root of the tooth. These conditions can’t always be treated with fillings or basic restorative procedures.

What happens with severe decay or infection?

• Leaving a cavity or infection untreated can lead to complications, including damage to the jawbone.
• Root infections and abscesses can lead to intense pain, and in extreme cases, an untreated infection can spread to other areas of the body.

How oral surgery can help:

• Tooth extraction is a common surgical procedure used to remove severely damaged or infected teeth.
• In some cases, oral surgery can also involve cleaning out an abscess or performing a root canal to save the tooth before more severe intervention is required.

When advanced dental problems can’t be managed with standard treatments, oral surgery may help ease discomfort and stop further complications.

4. Oral Cancer Treatment

Oral cancer is a critical condition that sometimes necessitates surgery for effective treatment. Detecting oral cancer early is crucial, as it increases the chances of successful treatment. Oral surgery may be part of the process of removing tumors or repairing damage caused by cancer.

Why is surgery needed for oral cancer?

• Surgery can remove tumors from the mouth, tongue, or surrounding areas to stop the cancer from spreading.

What types of surgeries are involved?

• Tumor removal is the most common surgical procedure for oral cancer.
• Reconstructive surgery may also be required to repair the affected area and restore the patient’s ability to eat, speak, and smile.

Early detection is key: The sooner oral cancer is identified, the better the chances of effective dental treatment. If you notice any signs, such as persistent mouth sores, lumps, or difficulty swallowing, seek medical attention immediately. Oral surgery plays a pivotal role in your recovery process.

5. Facial Trauma or Injury

Accidents and injuries can cause fractures to the jaw, teeth, or facial bones. Whether it’s from a car accident, sports injury, or slip, facial trauma can be painful and distressing. In some cases, surgery is the best option to restore function and appearance.

What types of facial injuries require surgery?

• Broken jaws, teeth, or facial bones.
• Severe lacerations or cuts inside the mouth.

How surgery helps:

• Bone grafts help rebuild areas of the jaw that have been damaged.
• Reconstructive surgery may involve rebuilding parts of the face or jaw to restore function and aesthetics.
• Dental implants can sometimes be used to restore teeth lost from injury.

If you’ve experienced facial trauma, surgery may not only restore your appearance but also your ability to speak and chew properly.

Final Thoughts

Oral surgery can be a game-changer for addressing serious dental issues like impacted teeth, jaw misalignment, or facial trauma. If you’re facing any of these concerns, seeking expert advice is the first step. At Alpha Dental, we offer comprehensive oral surgery services to help restore your smile and orodental health with confidence and care.