ORAL SURGERY IN ALEXANDRIA

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery describes any dental work involving surgical operations done on your teeth, gums, and the rest of your oral cavity. It covers a broad spectrum of dental procedures including tooth extraction, dental implants, and corrective jaw surgery. Oral surgeries are handled by qualified dental practitioners like orthodontists, prosthodontists, and periodontists, sometimes with the help of a local anesthesiologist to handle sedation and anesthesia.

Benefits of Oral Surgery

Long-Term Solutions for Tooth Loss and Missing Teeth

Oral surgery procedures like dental implant surgery and bridges, offer long-term solutions for tooth loss and missing teeth. In doing so, patients can regain the full functionality of their teeth and restore their smiles to their former glory. These procedures are beneficial for patients with both missing and severely damaged teeth.

Curbing Dental Complications

Oral surgery also helps curb the progression of dental complications that could be devastating or even fatal if advanced. For instance, tooth extractions prevent the spread of dental decay from one tooth to the next, preventing widespread decay. On the other hand, Biopsies and tumor removal, remove cancerous cells from the mouth before they get out of hand.

Going Beyond Symptomatic Treatment

Another benefit of oral surgery is that it addresses the underlying issue and not just the symptoms. Most dental treatments only address the symptoms of the complication like tooth pain and swelling. Oral surgery, on the other hand, gets to the root of the issue, solving it once and for all.

The Oral Surgery Process

Evaluation and Treatment Plan

Step 1

Oral surgery begins with an in-house consultation with the dentist. The consultation involves a series of tests, including TMJ tests among others. Your Alexandria dentist might also take X-rays and photographs of your teeth. If deemed appropriate, the dentist will recommend oral surgery and create a treatment plan for the same. The treatment plan includes details about the surgery, including the timeline, the procedure, the costs, and the payment plan.

Pre-Operative Preparation and Anesthesia

Step 2

The dentist will prepare you for the surgery, by restricting eating and drinking for a specific period before the surgery and telling you the medication to avoid before the surgery. Sometimes the dentist might offer medication to take before the surgery. Once ready, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the affected area.

Surgery and Post-Surgery

Step 3

After anesthesia, the dentist will perform the surgery as described in the treatment plan. The surgery is usually painless, with some requiring deep (unconscious) sedation. After surgery, the dentist will give you instructions for caring for the surgical site. They’ll also prescribe medication to promote healing and manage post-surgery pain. Healing time ranges from a few days to several months, depending on the surgery. Dentists might schedule follow-up visits to check the progress of your recovery. These visits might involve removing sutures and addressing any complications that may arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Oral Surgery?

How Long Does Oral Surgery Take?

How long oral surgery takes depends on the type of surgery. Simple surgeries like tumor removal only take a couple of minutes. However, complicated surgeries like full mouth reconstructions require multiple appointments spanning anywhere from a few weeks to months. You’ll find details about the duration of your surgery in the treatment plan.

What Is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is an oral surgery procedure where the doctor replaces bone matter in your body with bone matter from your other bones, a cadaver, or a xenogenic compatible animal. The procedure is necessary for dental implants in people with insufficient jaw bones. The grafted bone fuses with the rest of the bone in a process called osseointegration.

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