Your mouth is full of delicate tissues, bones, and nerves that work together to help you speak, eat, and breathe. When any of these structures are damaged or diseased, it can significantly impact your quality of life. Your best Monterey, CA oral surgery expert focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, and jaws.
There are many different types of oral surgeries, ranging from simple procedures that can be performed in a dentist’s office to complex operations that require a hospital stay. Below are the most common types of oral surgeries.
Dental implants
Dental implants are a common choice for patients who have lost one or more teeth due to injury, disease, or decay. Dental implants are titanium posts surgically implanted in the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. They can hold one or more fake teeth, often dental crowns.
Tooth extractions
Tooth extractions may be performed for various reasons, such as to remove wisdom teeth that are impacted (stuck in the jawbone), make room for dental braces, or treat an infection. Tooth extractions can usually be done in a dentist’s office and do not require a hospital stay.
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Cleft lip and palate surgery is a type of oral surgery performed to repair birth defects affecting the lips and roof of the mouth. Cleft lip surgery involves making an incision in the lip and reshaping it to improve its appearance. Cleft palate surgery involves repairing the roof of the mouth. Both procedures are usually performed on infants.
Jaw surgery
Jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a type of oral surgery performed to correct a wide variety of issues with the jaw, including the alignment of the teeth. Jaw surgery is usually performed in a hospital and requires a short stay.
Oral cancer surgery
Oral cancer surgery is a type of oral surgery that is performed to remove cancerous growths from the mouth. Oral cancer surgery may also be used to repair damage caused by cancer, such as reconstructing the jaw after a tumor has been removed.
Facial trauma surgery
Facial trauma surgery is an oral surgery performed to repair damage to the face, mouth, and jaws caused by an injury. It is usually performed in a hospital setting. It may involve multiple procedures, such as bone grafting and reconstruction of the jaw.
TMJ surgery
TMJ surgery is a type of oral surgery that is performed to correct issues with the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ surgery can help treat pain and dysfunction of the joint.
Dental reconstruction
Dental reconstruction is a type of oral surgery performed to repair damage to the teeth and gums. It may involve multiple procedures, such as dental implants, tooth extractions, and bone grafting. Dental reconstruction is usually performed in a dentist’s office.
Oral surgery can be a life-saving procedure for people with damaged or diseased teeth, gums, or jaws. If you think you may need oral surgery, talk to your dentist at Perio & Implant Center about your options.
