Have you ever met an oral surgeon? If you haven’t, then you have probably never experienced cosmetic procedures or chronic oral health conditions. Oral surgeons treat patients in a very specialized area of expertise. There are different oral issues that an oral surgeon can specifically address, and most of which are complex and chronic.
What Is an Oral Surgeon, and What Can They Treat?
An oral surgeon is also called an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). They work together with dentists in other fields, such as cosmetic surgeons and general dentists. An OMS is responsible for performing dental extractions, implant placement, and bone grafting.
Both dentists and oral surgeons have different areas of expertise. If a dentist performs best in treating everyday dental needs, an oral surgeon excels in treating specialized dental needs.
Depending on your oral health condition, a dentist may recommend you to undergo oral surgery procedures with an OMS. If you experience the following oral issues, a dental professional will decide whether you need a surgical procedure.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
During adulthood, a third molar tooth can grow in the gum tissues. This molar is called a wisdom tooth. It’s either going to erupt in proper alignment or fail to erupt due to entrapment. More often than not, a wisdom tooth will end up trapped or impacted in the gum tissue.
This situation can lead to pain, inflammation in the gum tissue, and might even cause damage to surrounding teeth and gums. In this situation, you need an OMS to remove the impacted teeth surgically.
Missing or Loss of Teeth
Losing your teeth due to decay, infection, or accident will most likely require dental implants for permanent teeth replacements. If you have a sufficient level of bone density, then you can elect for oral surgery procedures. This step involves implant placement, such as anchoring the implant into the jawbone for a strong foundation, or bone grafting.
Sleep Disorders
If you experience unhealthy sleeping conditions, such as snoring or sleep apnea, an oral surgeon can help you. You may first consult a doctor for these types of conditions. The doctor may recommend you see an OMS. You might either go through a treatment that involves machines to encourage airway opening or surgical procedures to eliminate any blockage.
Head and Neck Cancer
An oral surgeon doesn’t only deal with teeth replacement and dental implants. Chronic facial problems such as head and neck cancer are left in the hands of an OMS for treatment. They perform procedures for the throat, lips, salivary glands, as well as sinuses.
Jaw Irregularities
In some cases, jaw growth may fail to develop equally and cause problems in performing oral motor activities. Difficulty in breathing, eating, swallowing, biting, and chewing might happen if not treated immediately and effectively. An OMS can treat jaw irregularities through surgical procedures that align them to their correct position.
Seek an Oral Surgeon’s Expertise
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons go through years of training to provide oral health treatments. Their skilled expertise is combined with other dental specialists to work for an effective treatment plan. If you are experiencing mild, moderate, or chronic dental issues, consult a dentist or an oral surgeon for treatment.
Lovett Dental Webster offers a variety of services that require oral surgery to treat health concerns. These services include:
- Dental implant procedures
- Dental braces
- TMJ treatment techniques
- Cosmetic dentistry procedures
Schedule Your Oral Surgery at Lovett Dental Webster
You always have the option to receive treatment no matter what oral issue you’re experiencing. Whether it’s a dentist or an oral surgeon that’ll best treat your condition, you can receive effective treatment at Lovett Dental Webster. Contact our team of dental professionals at 832-932-5584 for help today!