How to Know When you Need an Oral Surgeon

Sometimes even if you regularly visit the dentist for checkups and treatment, the skills of an oral surgeon may be required. Certain types of problems just can’t be properly corrected without surgery, and your health will benefit from prompt treatment by a qualified and experienced oral surgeon.

If you have any of the following issues, chances are it’s time to see an oral surgeon.

Wisdom teeth
The final set of teeth to develop are the third molars, or wisdom teeth. Sometimes they erupt above the gums and are able to fit nicely into the jaw with the other teeth. Often however, one or more of these teeth become impacted between the jawbone and gums. This can cause pain, infection, swelling, and even cysts or tumors that can lead to permanent damage. Dentists recommend surgically extracting impacted wisdom teeth.

Tooth extraction
Different kinds of teeth sometimes require removal due to impaction, placement, or other issues.

Dental implants
Missing teeth may be replaced with dental implants, which are titanium roots that are surgically anchored into the jawbone to hold an artificial tooth on top. Sufficient bone structure is required for implants, and sometimes bone grafts are needed to build up the jaw.

Oral cancer
Abnormal growths or tissue may need to be surgically removed to be sent for testing to diagnose oral cancer. Oral surgery is often necessary to remove entire tumors.

Trauma
Severe accidents can cause face, mouth, or jaw trauma that requires surgical reconstruction. Oral surgery is used to repair broken facial bones or fractured jaws.

Cleft lip or palate
When parts of the mouth and nasal cavity don’t grow properly, it can cause a gap in the lip or opening in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lips or palates require a team of specialists to correct the problems with a series of treatments and surgeries over several years.

Unequal jaw growth
Many problems can results when the upper and lower jaws don’t grow correctly. Serious cases require oral surgery to reposition one or both jaws to create a more balanced situation.

Dr. Smith offers oral surgery in Fresno California that also does sedation dentistry