Common Types of Dental Surgery You Can Get

While the thought of dental surgery sounds scary, most procedures are very routine and quick. This article will cover 6 of the most common types of dental surgery you can get:

Root canals are a way to save infected teeth. This procedure involves removing the end of the tooth, known as the apex. It is done with a numbing agent so it is painless.

Dental Implants

Implants replace missing tooth roots with titanium anchors that fuse to bone over the course of months in a process called osseointegration. After the implants are in place, a general dentist or prosthodontist can attach a crown to the anchors to complete the restoration. Implants are a more natural looking and feeling solution for replacing missing teeth than traditional dentures. They also help to preserve bone in the jaw and prevent it from deteriorating due to tooth loss.

Dental implants can be used to restore a single lost tooth, multiple missing teeth in the same arch or the entire upper and/or lower jaw. They are also an excellent option for replacing the support structures of removable full or partial dentures, reducing the dependency on denture adhesives.

Some chronic conditions can impact the success of dental implant integration. For instance, uncontrolled diabetes and heart disease can slow down healing after surgery. Similarly, cancer and long-term steroid use can negatively impact the health of your bones.

A zygomatic implant is longer than a standard dental implant and secures to the cheek bone. This is an ideal solution for people who have insufficient bone in their jaw to hold an ordinary implant. Another option is a mini implant that is placed between the roots of teeth to act as an anchor point for braces to move them. They are small and do not fully osseointegrate but are easier to remove.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are artificial caps that fit atop weakened or damaged teeth to protect them from further damage, decay, or injury. They can also add strength to a tooth that needs a large filling or support a missing or broken tooth. Crowns are made of various materials, and your dentist can customize them to match the color and shape of the rest of your smile.

Underneath the hard exterior of a tooth is a soft core called a pulp. The dental pulp contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and tissue. When the pulp gets infected, it causes pain, swelling, and potential tooth loss. A root canal is an endodontic treatment that removes the infected part of the tooth to eliminate the pain, prevent bacteria from entering the tooth, and restore the tooth’s function.

After a dental procedure, you may experience some soreness for a few days. To ease this discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers. Your dentist may also give you other instructions for your recovery, like avoiding certain foods or drinks that can delay healing or cause infection.

While crowns encase the whole visible portion of a tooth, veneers cover only the front of the teeth and are usually used for cosmetic reasons. These thin shells resemble natural teeth, and your dentist can reshape them to change their appearance, size, or color. The most common types of veneers are porcelain.

Root Canals

This endodontic procedure removes a dead tooth’s pulp tissue (blood vessels, nerves, and tissues) in order to relieve pain and save the rest of the tooth. If the pulp isn’t removed, it will continue to send out toxins and cause more damage to the tooth and gums. After the dentist removes the infected pulp, they clean and shape the canals and fill them with a rubber-like dental material called gutta percha to prevent bacteria from re-entering.

To prepare for a root canal, the dentist will first place a protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the tooth to isolate it and keep saliva and bacteria away while they work. Then, they will make an opening in the tooth’s crown to access the inner canals. They will use small dental instruments to remove the infected pulp and canals. Then, they will clean and disinfect the canals and shape them to prevent bacteria from re-entering the tooth.

They will also use a small tool to create a tiny opening near the root tip to drain any bacteria that may remain. Finally, they will seal the tooth with a temporary dental filling to prevent bacteria from re-entering. While a root canal is more painful than a cavity, it is far less expensive and more convenient than an extraction and the subsequent need for a bridge or implant to replace it. Plus, it preserves the structural integrity of the tooth, which reduces your risk of breaking a tooth near the extraction site.

Extractions

If decay or wear-and-tear damage a tooth to the point where it’s beyond saving, you may need to have it surgically extracted. A skilled oral surgeon, who is mostly an Australian dental surgeon will extract the tooth, clean up its socket (the cavity in the jaw that a lost tooth once occupied), and sometimes stitch it closed.

Tooth extractions are also used to remove impacted teeth and wisdom teeth that can’t break through the gums. In some cases, these teeth might have severe fractures or infections that prevent even endodontic root canal treatment from saving them.

Dental implants replace lost teeth with titanium studs placed in the socket and bone of where missing teeth once were (the maxilla or mandible). The artificial tooth that sits atop the implant is called a crown. Dental bridges use adjacent teeth to support the crown, which is why it’s necessary for them to be reshaped before replacement surgery.

Bone grafting is often used with dental implants to ensure that the jawbone has sufficient density. This procedure involves taking bone from another part of the body and placing it in the jaw to build up its density. Corrective jaw surgery — also known as orthognathic surgery — treats problems with the mouth’s bite and the jaw’s hard and soft tissues, such as cleft palate and obstructive sleep apnea. It’s performed by an oral surgeon with several years of specialized training.

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are incredible restorations, but they require enough jawbone to support them. Fortunately, bone grafting can increase the density of your jaw, allowing for successful implant placement.

During this procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will numb the area using local anesthesia and then make an incision in the gums. This creates space for the graft and allows your jawbone to heal. Once the graft is placed, it is held in place with a temporary adhesive. Over time, your body will regenerate the bone tissue around it and the graft will become a permanent part of your jawbone.

The type of graft used will vary based on the severity and location of your bone loss. The most common graft is autograft, in which the bone tissue is taken from another part of your body — often the hip, shin, or back of the jaw. Other types of grafts include cadaver bone, which is taken from a dead person, or synthetic bone.

Before performing a bone graft, your dentist will clean and disinfect the area. They may also add a membrane that dissolves under the gum to protect the graft and encourage regeneration. After the graft is in place, your dentist will stitch the wounds. While the procedure is relatively minor, you will still feel some pain for a few days. You can manage this with over-the-counter or prescription-strength pain relievers.

Reconstructive Surgery

For those with serious gum disease, reconstructive surgery is one of the best ways to improve their oral health. Typically performed by an oral surgeon, this procedure treats gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. It also helps with other issues, such as tooth and bone loss. Some treatments include root canal therapy, periodontal flap surgery, laser treatment and dental implant placement.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a more complicated type of dentistry that specializes in the teeth, jaws and face. It requires several years of specialized training and can treat conditions like cleft palates and sleep apnea.

Tooth extraction is an important procedure that can help with tooth decay and overcrowding. It involves pulling or cutting a tooth that is either damaged or redundant, such as impacted wisdom teeth that don’t have enough space to grow in the modern jaw. The procedure can be done under local or general anesthesia.

Dental implants are titanium metal cylinders that are surgically placed into the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. They act as artificial tooth roots, stimulate bone growth and restore the appearance of your mouth. They are a popular alternative to dentures and can be used for one or multiple teeth. Bone grafting is another common oral surgery that involves taking bone from another part of the body and placing it in the jaw area to make more natural bone mass.