Opening Up Your Mouth: 7 Common Types of Oral Surgery

Updated on December 8, 2022
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From a medical standpoint, the mouth is an intriguing place. Filled with teeth, gums, nerves, muscle, and tissue, it’s exceedingly prone to medical issues. And as you might expect, there are all types of oral surgery used to treat these issues.

Curious as to what these oral surgeries are? Then keep on reading. We’re going to discuss 7 of the most common ones. 

Tooth Extraction 

The most common of all oral surgeries is tooth extraction. This is the procedure used to remove teeth from the mouth. 

Tooth extraction becomes necessary for a variety of purposes. In some cases, a tooth might be severely decayed; in others, it might get cracked. Infected teeth generally need to get removed as well.

Note, however, that this procedure is generally only utilized when bone is being lost in the jaw. If there’s no bone loss, other procedures (ie. cavity fillings, bonding, etc.) can get utilized to salvage the existing teeth. 

And then there’s the problem of teeth overcrowding. If the teeth grow close together, tooth extraction might be needed to provide them with adequate space. This is most typically seen in the extraction of wisdom teeth by the Dentist In Grand Blanc.

Jaw Realignment Surgery 

The jaw can become misaligned for a variety of different reasons. In some cases, it’ll just grow in with an awkward alignment. In other cases, physical trauma will cause the jaw to become misaligned. 

However, regardless of how it became misaligned, it can be fixed with the use of jaw misalignment surgery. This is a surgery wherein the upper and/or lower jaws are repositioned to allow for proper alignment. 

Over the long run, this surgery can have a number of benefits. Not only can it assist in chewing and swallowing, but in breathing as well. It might also facilitate clearer speech and deeper sleep. 

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Repair

For many human beings, the wisdom teeth (also known as the third molars) turn out to be a source of trouble. In most cases, when they cause problems, it’s because they cause crowding. However, in rare situations, they cause issues because they fail to erupt. 

When a wisdom tooth fails to grow out, it can cause issues with the gums, jaw, and teeth that surround it. Not only can this lead to misalignment, but to infection, decay, and other problems as well. 

For this reason, impacted wisdom teeth generally need to be repaired. Repairing impacted wisdom teeth involves cutting into the gums and extracting the teeth that haven’t erupted. Once the impacted teeth have been removed, the other teeth will be able to grow as intended. 

Dental Implants

Next up is the dental implant. This is a procedure wherein a synthetic tooth is permanently inserted into the gums and jaw bone. It is the only long-term tooth replacement option for individuals who have lost their teeth. 

Getting dental implants is an arduous process, occurring over months. First, the decayed tooth must be extracted; then, a metal rod must be inserted into the jaw bone and given several months to heal. Once the metal rod is solidified in the jawbone, the synthetic implant is placed over it, presenting itself as a legitimate tooth. 

Dental implants are beneficial because they last forever. Unlike dentures, you don’t have to take implants out. And unlike veneers, they never need to be replaced. 

Sleep Apnea Surgery 

Sleep apnea is a condition involving pauses in breathing during sleep. Causing everything from heart issues to daytime exhaustion to depression, headache and more, it can be debilitating, both physically and psychologically. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of methods for treating sleep apnea. The most common method is to make use of a CPAP machine. This is a machine that assists in passing air through the throat, ensuring that the patient is able to sleep uninterrupted through the night. 

Unfortunately, CPAP machines don’t work for everyone. Often, those who don’t benefit from CPAP machines must undergo surgery instead. This surgery involves removing excess tissue from the back of the throat, clearing the air passage, and reducing negative effects. 

Apicoectomy  

When the pulp within a tooth becomes infected, a root canal is typically administered to solve the problem. Unfortunately, root canals don’t always prove successful. This is why apicoectomies are sometimes needed. 

What is an apicoectomy, you ask? An apicoectomy is a procedure wherein the tip of the tooth root is removed and filled with a synthetic substance. It stops decay in its tracks and allows an implant to be inserted with no further problems. 

Apicoectomies are generally not performed by dentists. If you’re in need of this procedure, your dentist will likely refer you to an oral surgeon

Trigeminal Nerve Repair 

As you probably know, the face contains a variety of nerves that allow it to operate as needed. The nerves that control the process of chewing are known as the trigeminal nerves, and, in some cases, they’ll become damaged. Fortunately, there’s treatment available to help restore their functionality. 

Early treatment will be non-surgical. However, if it doesn’t prove successful, surgical measures will need to be taken. Some of the surgeries used to treat trigeminal nerve dysfunction include nerve ablation and craniotomy. 

Note, treatment for this issue won’t always be administered by an oral surgeon. While the trigeminal nerve affects the mouth, it’s actually a neurological issue. 

There Are All Types of Oral Surgery 

The oral surgeries discussed above comprise only a small selection of the total in existence. In truth, there are all types of oral surgery, and they’re used to treat a variety of different conditions. 

Looking for more oral health info? Brush up on your oral health knowledge by reading our other articles now! 

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.

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