Oral surgery is the branch of dentistry that focuses on operations involving the mouth, jaws, facial bones, and related structures. In general, it’s called oral and maxillofacial surgery or simply oral surgery when this is the main focus. Doctors perform oral surgery to remove or repair damaged or diseased tissue in the mouth, such as a tumor, infection, inflammation, or cyst. This type of surgery is also used to correct crooked teeth.

What are the Benefits of oral surgery?

Tooth restoration may require several visits to the dentist. For example, if the tooth has been damaged by decay, it might need to be removed and replaced with a newly extracted tooth.

Here are the benefits of oral surgery

  1. After the surgery, medications are prescribed to reduce swelling and pain (for example, oral pain medications called anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
  2. If a tooth has been removed, dentures are often prescribed, which are artificial teeth made of plastic. Dentures may be made of porcelain or gold; the color and shape will depend on the patient’s preference. The dentist might also recommend that the patient wears an orthodontic appliance to correct dental alignment and improve appearance.
  3. If you need more than one surgery during your oral surgery, it might be necessary to repeat some of these procedures (for example, a second surgery to remove more tissue). It’s also possible that more surgeries may be needed later (for example, to remove a cyst or other condition).
  4. The doctors perform oral surgery that may be unable to remove the entire tumor or cyst. The oral surgeon will refer you to a specialist dentist or medical doctor with advanced training to remove the remaining parts of the tumor/cyst.
  5. If you have severely damaged teeth, the dentist may recommend a dental implant to replace them with a new one. In this case, you will make appointments at several visits with your implanted doctor at least six months apart to replace your implants with crowns and bridges after the implant has fully integrated into your jaw (which usually takes six months).
  6. Removal of wisdom teeth (the third molars) is often done as an outpatient procedure in which you go home the same day. The surgery usually takes less than an hour, and you will probably be given some pain medication to take with you. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics and other drugs to prevent infection and reduce swelling and pain, including some taken by mouth.
  7. To help relieve post-operative pain, the dentist may give you a prescription for oral pain medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol). As with any treatment, it’s essential to read and follow the instructions on how to take the medications before using them.
  8. Only certain oral surgeons have the training, skills, and equipment necessary to perform oral surgery. This means that the dentist needs to choose an oral surgeon who is experienced and skilled in performing oral surgery. However, many surgeons can perform minor surgical procedures (such as cleaning and removing plaque from teeth) without performing major surgeries on teeth.
  9. Dentists can perform oral surgery in hospitals, clinics, or private offices (in case you choose to pay privately). Many insured dental plans provide coverage for selected types of oral surgery, so it’s important to tell your dentist if you have a dental insurance plan before your appointment.

Who is it for

Dentists can perform oral surgery in hospitals, clinics, or private offices (in case you choose to pay privately). Many insured dental plans provide coverage for selected oral surgery, so it’s important to tell your dentist if you have a dental insurance plan before your appointment.