Minor Oral Surgery Procedures
Oral surgery sounds scary, but not all oral surgeries are major surgical procedures. There are some minor oral surgery procedures that can have a huge positive impact on your smile and oral health.
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Extractions
Teeth extractions are a fairly common procedure. There are several reasons why one or more teeth may need to be extracted:
Crowding
Tooth Decay
Trauma
Periodontal Disease
Whatever the reason, we’re here for you!
A surgical extraction can be somewhat complicated depending on each individual case, but the experienced oral surgeons at Oral Facial Reconstruction utilize the most advanced technology before, during, and post-surgery.
You can expect x-rays and images to be made before the surgery in order to develop the best plan of action for a tooth that needs to be extracted. Anesthesia is also administered for the surgery.
After the surgery, you will need to rest. You need to be driven home by a friend or family member because of the anesthesia. You can expect the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery.
Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours, you should call your oral surgeon.
Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down.
Your oral surgeon will prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore, take it as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Your oral surgeon might also provide you with a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.
You will be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Some recommended foods are:
Gelatin
Pudding
Yogurt
Mashed potatoes
Ice cream
This soups
…and other food you can eat without chewing
When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don’t feel that the extraction site is healing properly, call your oral surgeon for a follow-up.
Extraction Site Preservation
When removing a tooth, it is important to consider what will be done with the empty space after that tooth is removed.
Some teeth are in the back of the mouth, so that site can heal on its own with no complications. If it is necessary to remove another tooth, though, plans must be made.
If a tooth is removed and nothing is done with the extraction site, the jawbone will degenerate and change shape during healing. This can cause your teeth to shift, creating problems in your bite and affecting your ability to speak and chew.
If you want to fill the space with a dental implant, a sturdy jawbone is necessary to place the implant. If you opt for a dental bridge, the bridge must be molded and placed before the teeth shift.
Your oral surgeon is always open to a conversation on what you would like to do with your extraction site before removing a tooth. They will be able to make a recommendation and lay out a treatment plan.
Make sure to schedule follow-up appointments to properly care for your extraction site.
Exposure of Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is a tooth that is stuck and unable to erupt. Patients frequently face problems with impacted wisdom teeth, which are typically extracted.
However, if one or more of your canine teeth becomes impacted, they will need to be exposed by your oral surgeon in order to move them into your bite. Canine teeth are an essential part of your bite and smile, which is why every attempt to save them is taken, including exposing them.
Exposing and bracketing an impacted tooth is a very straightforward surgical procedure that is performed by an oral surgeon. For most patients, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and local anesthesia are used to make the surgery as pleasant as possible.
Following the procedure, it’s essential to follow all the aftercare instructions given by your oral surgeon in order to ensure a speedy recovery.
Frenectomies
A frenectomy is simply the removal of a frenum in your mouth. A frenum is a muscular attachment between two tissues.
You have two ferna (the plural of frenum) in your mouth: one that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth and another that connects the inside of your upper lip to your gums right above your upper two front teeth.
If you have a frenum that occasionally hinders the normal function of your mouth, a frenectomy may be necessary. A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is performed with either a scalpel or laser and takes less than 15 minutes.
If you or your child needs a frenectomy, there is nothing to worry about. The procedure is extremely successful and causes minimal discomfort.
Do You Need a Minor Oral Surgery Procedure?
Oral Facial Reconstruction is here for you. Our expert surgeons provide a wide range of procedures designed to protect or restore your oral health.
Do you have any questions about what we can do for you? Looking to speak with an expert about your situation? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any of our offices, which are located at Plantation, Coral Springs, Aventura, and Pembroke Pines. We’re excited to speak with you!
