What You Need to Know About Oral Surgery

Oral surgery can be an intimidating prospect for many people, especially when it involves anesthesia. But serious problems after maxillofacial or oral surgery are rare, and the effects of anesthesia usually go away within 24 hours. Recovery depends on the type of procedure you are undergoing, and you may experience some discomfort, tenderness, swelling, and bleeding for a few days. Infection is rare, but it can still occur, and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system are at greater risk.

Injuries to teeth or nearby tissue can occur, and dry alveolitis is a painful complication that can develop after tooth extraction. Nerve irritation can cause numbness that usually goes away in 24 hours or less, but permanent numbness can occur. Removing wisdom teeth can cause inflammation and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).Suitable candidates for dental implants must have an adequate bone level and density, not be prone to infection, and must be willing to maintain good oral hygiene practices. Oral surgeons can usually remove any broken part, but they may have to leave some in place if the fragments are too close to a nerve or sinus.

Training includes oral and maxillofacial surgery, but some surgeons limit their practice to oral surgery and in-office procedures while others prefer more in-hospital procedures. For dental and maxillary procedures that go beyond the experience of a general dentist, you may need oral surgery. Oral surgeries can be performed by any of the different types of dental specialists, including endodontists, periodontists, and prosthodontists. Oral surgery is a generic term for several invasive procedures to correct problems with the teeth and jaws. For those who are wearing dentures for the first time, oral surgery can be performed to correct any unevenness in the jaws before creating the dentures to ensure a better fit.

Prepare for oral surgery the same way you would for any serious medical procedure, depending on the type of surgery, and always be sure to follow your dentist's instructions.