What do we mean by oral surgery?
Oral surgery is a wide phrase for any procedure performed on your teeth, gums, jaw, or adjacent oral and facial tissues. It covers a wide range of processes, such as tooth removal, dental bone grafts, gingival (gum) grafts, and reconstructive jaw surgery.
Why is oral surgery done?
Your dentist may recommend a surgery If you have a variety of situations like:
• Extensive decay in your teeth
• Teeth that are badly broken.
• Periodontal disease.
• Teeth that have been impacted.
• Tooth loss.
• TMD (temporomandibular joint abnormalities).
• Jaw bone loss
• Some types of sleep apnea. (Obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea)
• Cancer of the mouth.
• Noncancerous lumps or bumps in the mouth (benign oral pathology).
What are the different forms of oral surgery?
There are various oral operations. Operations are done for different reasons, including:
- tooth removal
- bone graft
- teeth implants
- gingival surgery
- jaw reconstructive surgery
- surgery for sleep apnea syndrome
- cleft lip and palate repair
What complications can occur with oral surgery?
As with any surgery, you should be aware of all the risks and complications related to oral surgery.
This risk might involve:
• Infection.
• Damage to surrounding teeth.
• Dry socket (a complication that can occur post teeth removal if the clotting of the blood is compromised).
• Tingling.
• Root related disorders.
• Sinus complications.
So, following postoperative guidelines and taking all drugs as directed can reduce the risk of mentioned complications, and if you experience any of these problems, you should contact your dentist for further evaluation and management.
What is the estimated time for an oral operation?
The duration of the operation depends on several factors, like the type of the operation, number of teeth to be involved, and if sedation is chosen for the surgery.
A procedure that includes a removal of a single tooth usually takes about half an hour, while more complex procedures such as jaw reconstructive operation usually take at least a couple of hours.
How long is the recovery time after surgery?
The time it takes to heal is not the same for all people who undergo these surgeries, but most of them report a good recovery in about a week. Of course, the more complicated and long the operation, the longer it takes to recover.
During recovery time, your doctor will prescribe medications such as painkillers to keep you comfortable.
When can I go back to my normal daily activities after surgery?
Most of the patients can go back to their work or school within couple of days but for more complicated surgeries like jaw reconstructive operations it can be a bit longer duration.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22085-oral-surgery
