Oral surgery, often known as maxillofacial surgery, refers to all procedures conducted by a dental surgeon on the soft tissues of the jaw, oral cavity, and sometimes the face. In most cases, the dental specialist must go past the gum’s surface to address the underlying cause of the issue. While nobody appreciates the thought of oral surgery in Huntington Beach, numerous conditions, ranging from severe toothaches, impacted teeth, sleep apnea, and more, make the procedure necessary. If your dentist suggests any form of oral surgery, you should inquire to obtain comprehensive information about the procedure. Here are some of the most common oral surgery procedures. 

1. Tooth Extraction

The most prevalent form of oral surgery is tooth removal. An extraction is necessary if you have serious tooth decay, periodontitis, dental injury, or wisdom teeth complications. Occasionally, tooth extractions may be necessary to prepare for dentures or other prosthetic devices.

Most dentists opt to salvage the natural teeth whenever feasible, but in some cases, extraction is the best way to preserve your general dental health. Besides, most dentists suggest wisdom teeth removal as a preventative approach to reduce the likelihood of dental cavities, bone loss, and other complications.

2. Dental Implant Placement

A dental implant procedure entails affixing one or several dental implants into your jaw to restore a missing tooth. This treatment is often considered minor surgery and requires the specialty of an oral surgeon.

The treatment entails cutting the gums and drilling a tiny hole inside the jawbone where the implant is positioned. Your surgeon then stitches the gums, and the patient can start the healing process by adhering to the aftercare guidelines the dental surgeon provides.

3. Dental Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafting is often required before the placement of implants, especially if jawbone loss occurs because of atrophy caused by tooth loss. This procedure entails putting new, healthy bone material in the region where the bone loss occurred and where the implant should be placed. A bone graft procedure ensures the success of dental implants by providing a solid anchorage for the prosthetic.

Occasionally, your specialist may consider bone grafting during periodontal surgery. Serious gum disease may cause the bone surrounding the teeth to erode. Bone grafting reduces mobility and offers a solid foundation to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

4. Corrective Jaw Surgery

There are various forms of corrective jaw surgeries that treat issues associated with the jaw, like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Although the jaw does not get as much attention in dental health as gums and teeth, it is frequently the cause of oral health complications like serious discomfort and locking. If conservative solutions fail to relieve the effects of TMJ, your dentist may suggest corrective jaw surgery.

5. Sleep Apnea Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea happens once the tissues in the back of the throat fall back and obstruct your airways during sleep. Although this condition is treatable with conservative solutions like a CPAP machine and oral appliance therapy, you may need surgery if the issue is severe.

While oral surgery may sound intimidating, this procedure is quite common. Typical concerns treatable with oral surgery include a cleft lip or palate, impacted teeth, serious toothache, bone loss, and other common oral problems. Thankfully, advancements in dentistry now ensure that oral surgical procedures are safer and more effective. Nonetheless, as with other surgical treatments, you will require time to recover. Therefore, you should make necessary preparations, like finding somebody to drive you home and make arrangements to break from your routine. For a quicker and smoother recovery, follow your doctor’s post-procedure guidelines.