Dr. Cavan Brunsden and a pediatric patient at kidzdent smile

Limited Oral Surgery Procedures

When most people hear the term oral surgery, they automatically think general anesthesia or imagine something that requires a hospital setting or serious recovery time. But patients are usually surprised to learn that most customary treatments performed in a dental office may actually be considered oral surgery. There are a number a dental procedures that a can fall in to the category of oral surgery. These are procedures that involve artificially modifying dentition; and require surgical access to provide treatment of the teeth and jaw bones.

The basic types of oral surgery include the following:

  • Pediatrics
    • Labial Frenectomy
    • Lingual Frenectomy
    • Post Orthodontic Gingivectomy
    • Extractions
  • Endodontic
    • Root Canal
    • Pulpotomy
    • Pulpectomy
    • Apicoectomy
  • Prosthodontics
    • Crown
    • Veneers
    • Bridge
    • Implant
    • Dentures
  • Orthodontic
    • Surgical Exposure
  • Periodontics
    • Dental crown lengthening
    • Periodontal pocket reduction
    • Gum tissue grafting
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
    • Extraction

The American Dental Association recognizes oral and maxillofacial surgery – commonly referred to as oral surgery – as one of dentistry’s main specialty areas. This dental specialty focuses on the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects related to the functional and esthetic aspects of the face, mouth, teeth and jaws (maxillofacial area).

Common Oral Surgery Procedures

At KidZdent & Family Orthodontics our doctors are able to conduct limited in-office oral surgery procedures. If we are unable to perform a specific type of treatment after an assessment and recommendation has been provided, we will send you to one of our top referral sources who focus on that unique procedure and the needs of the patient.

  • Impacted tooth removal is probably the most common of all oral procedure. If a patient’s teeth do not emerge out of the gums as intended, the positioning or lack of eruption may cause dental issues like crowding, infections or diseased tissue. These types of concerns may be easily corrected with a routine tooth extraction. Either one of our dentists or orthodontists will closely monitor a patient’s mouth and recommend if any misaligned or crowded teeth should be removed to preserve the full integrity of one’s oral structure and health. 
  • Another popular procedure is ‘Wisdom teeth removal’. Wisdom teeth, or clinically referred to as one’s third molars, are most commonly removed because the jaw structure is not large enough to accommodate the growth and development of the teeth. If the teeth do not erupt properly, this may lead to infections, swelling, and further shifting of other teeth.
  • Another reason someone may be considering or suggested to opt for oral surgery would be dental implants. Dental implants are tooth root substitutes placed in the jawbone. Artificial teeth are then attached to the substitute root, which is actually a titanium rod. Dental implants are an option to replace one tooth, several teeth, or even all of your teeth.
  • Sometimes individuals develop an uneven jawbone. If a patient has an upper or lower jaw which has not grown properly, it may contribute to a difficulty in eating, breathing, talking or swallowing. In extreme cases where someone is experiencing any of which is listed, oral surgery is an option to create a jaw structure that is more balanced and functional.
  • Cleft lip and cleft palate repair are also very well known oral surgery procedures. A cleft palate is a birth defect in which portions of the nasal cavity and mouth have not grown together properly. The result is a split or gap in the roof of the mouth, lip or both. An oral surgeon typically participates in the correction of these clefts.
  • Facial injuries and repair would also require attention and the performance of an oral surgeon so that they may rehabilitate any broken bones in the face and secure that the break does not result in an infection of surrounding teeth. If a patient is experiencing some type of facial infection, further oral surgery treatment may be necessary. An infection in the face, neck or jaws may require an oral surgeon to drain the infected area and extract any teeth that may be causing the infection or affected by it.
  • Patients who experience severe snoring or sleep apnea may not even be aware right away. But through oral surgery procedures, there may be a solution- especially if other treatment methods have been ineffective. An oral surgeon can perform surgery to assist in correction of these issues.

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