Once upon a time, a simple dental problem could be life-threatening. Fortunately, modern medicine and technology make it possible to treat even the most complex oral and dental issues and help restore a person’s health more conveniently than ever. At Pipe Creek Dental Center, Dr. Carolyn B. Walker performs a wide range of treatments and procedures – including select oral surgeries – to address a number of issues and give Pipe Creek, TX patients the comfort and confidence they deserve. Now, we’ll take a look at some of the symptoms and conditions that may mean you need oral surgery and answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding oral surgery.
What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery is a broad term used to classify a surgical treatment or procedure that is performed on the mouth, teeth, jaw, or other facial structures for either cosmetic, reconstructive, or medical purposes.
What is classified as oral surgery?
There are many procedures that could be classified as oral surgery based on the criteria above. At Pipe Creek Dental Center, Dr. Walker performs a number of oral surgeries designed to treat specific dental and oral concerns. These include:
- Dental implant placement
- Periodontal surgery
- Tooth extraction
- Full mouth reconstruction
- Root canal
Who needs oral surgery?
There are a number of signs, symptoms, scenarios, and conditions that may make someone a candidate for oral surgery at our facility, such as:
- Dental infection
- Periodontal infection
- Gum disease
- Missing tooth
- Broken tooth
- Tooth decay
- TMJ
More serious conditions, like impacted teeth, sleep apnea, or oral cancer, can also be addressed using oral surgery, though these may require more extensive procedures offered by oral-maxillofacial surgeons.
Does insurance cover oral surgery?
In most cases, the oral surgeries we perform are covered at least in part under a patient’s dental insurance plan.
Are you awake during oral surgery?
To ensure the most comfortable experience possible during an oral surgery procedure, our caring team will numb the area with anesthesia and can also provide light sedation.
Is oral surgery safe?
When performed by a highly skilled provider in a professional setting, oral surgery is extremely safe and can provide life-changing results. As with any surgery, there are some risks and side effects associated with oral surgery, including:
- Pain
- Sensitivity
- Delayed healing
- Dry socket
- Numbness/loss of sensation
- Cosmetic changes
Fortunately, these complications are rare and are typically temporary and/or fairly easy to correct.
How long is recovery after oral surgery?
The length of your oral surgery recovery period will depend on the type of procedure performed, your lifestyle and commitment to recovery guidelines, the severity of your original condition and symptoms, and other factors. To ensure the speediest, safest, and most successful healing possible after oral surgery, be sure to:
- Follow all of your dentist’s instructions
- Attend your follow-up appointments
- Take medications as directed
- Get plenty of rest
- Do not engage in strenuous physical activity or exercise
- Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, and overly hot foods and beverages
- Keep the mouth and teeth clean
With an expert provider and proper aftercare, the results of your oral surgery can provide you with the comfort, confidence, and cosmetic improvements you deserve.
Restore the look, feel, and function of your teeth with oral surgery in Pipe Creek, TX
If you are experiencing painful or frustrating symptoms related to your teeth or gums, you may benefit from oral surgery. Learn more about how oral surgery may help you by calling Pipe Creek Dental Center in Pipe Creek, TX to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Pipe Creek dentist Dr. Carolyn B. Walker today.