Oral surgery may sound intimidating. You may outrightly presume that something is seriously wrong for your dentist to suggest you undergo such extensive treatment. However, numerous oral surgical treatments address common issues. Some issues like tooth loss, and impacted teeth are obvious signs that you may require oral surgery in Huntington Beach. However, other dental concerns might not be as straightforward. As such, your dental specialist will examine you and determine if you require oral surgery. Meanwhile, here are 5 common signs that you may need oral surgery.
- Severe Pain
Severe discomfort in the gums and teeth, which keeps you awake at night or keeps you from eating, is a great indicator that you should consult your dentist. Numerous dental concerns can induce serious discomfort, and your dentists can diagnose the root cause of pain and suggest the best solution.
Issues with the joint between the skull and your lower jaw can cause discomfort and pain that might require oral surgery to fix. Poor dental alignment and infections could also cause discomfort that warrants dental surgery to correct.
- Missing or Loose Teeth
Numerous factors, including impact trauma and poor gum health, can loosen teeth or make them fall out. Once teeth become excessively loose or fall out, one may develop bone density loss in the jawbone area where the tooth was positioned.
With time, this lost bone density can cause changes in your facial structure. Besides, the adjacent teeth might also start loosening, impacting the patient’s bite and chew. A dentist can assess the reasons for missing or loose teeth and conduct oral surgery, such as dental implant surgery, to restore the patient’s grin.
- Moles and Unusual Growths
When it comes to moles and other unusual growths, you may not think of your dentist. However, your dentist can identify oral cancer via screening during your routine checkups. Besides, if you notice a mole or spot in your mouth, you can inform your dentist, who might perform a biopsy to establish if oral surgery is viable.
- Damaged or Impacted Teeth
Though the objective of dentists is often to preserve the patient’s teeth, it is sometimes better to take out the tooth. Impacted teeth are adult teeth that fail to emerge from the gums. Your dentist can use oral surgery to expose the tooth and corrective devices to align it with your smile.
Sometimes, the patient might have an infected, damaged, or cracked tooth. If the tooth remains, it may induce discomfort or make the infection spread to neighboring teeth. The dentist can remove and replace the damaged tooth with a dental implant, denture, or another restorative device.
- Sleep Apnea
Surprisingly, oral surgery is sometimes necessary to address serious instances of sleep apnea. Often, patients will utilize corrective therapies like mouth appliances, medications, or CPAP machines. However, if these solutions fail, you may require oral surgery to correct the structural problem worsening the apnea.
Numerous dental concerns are treatable with conservative solutions like medications, orthodontics, and various cosmetic dentistry procedures. However, there are some instances, such as if you have a severely damaged, or infected tooth, sleep apnea, discomfort, and more, when your dentist may suggest surgery. While you might be intimidated by surgery or worried about the outcome, oral surgery could be a powerful tool to enhance your dental health. Your dentist will assess your situation to determine if you are the right candidate for this procedure. Oral surgery is usually fast, and patients experience mild discomfort afterward.
