There are many different types of oral surgery, ranging from wisdom teeth extractions to oral biopsies to corrective jaw surgery. Below is a description of the two most common oral surgery procedures.
Dental Extractions
There are three types of dental extraction procedures: simple extraction, surgical extraction, and impacted extraction. When your tooth is easily accessible, your dentist can usually perform a simple dental extraction to remove the tooth. If your tooth is hidden or more difficult to reach, such as a tooth broken off at the gum line, you will most likely require a surgical tooth extraction. An impacted tooth extraction is needed when your tooth fails to pass through the gum tissue due to something preventing its normal eruption, such as another tooth or dense soft tissue. If your tooth fails to emerge, or emerges only partially, it is considered to be impacted, which is the most difficult type of dental extraction.
Dental Implants
Another very common type of oral surgery is when dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. A dental implant is a titanium rod that is anchored directly to the jawbone to provide stability and support for one or more artificial teeth. The dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth to help preserve the natural jawbone, stimulate bone growth, and maintain facial structure. How dental surgery is performed depends on the type of implant and the condition of your jawbone, which an oral surgeon will assess before the procedure.
Request A Consultation
Whatever your oral surgery needs may be, it’s important to review all of your options by meeting with an oral surgeon. If you believe you’re in need of a dental extraction or dental implant, schedule a consultation.