John VorhausOral surgery in The Woodlands, TX, is an important part of dental care. This is because, despite the various developments that the field of dentistry has seen in the last couple of decades, dental issues that call for oral surgical procedures are still prevalent. Therefore, the role of dental surgeons in the overall healthcare system cannot be overlooked. Dental surgeons help with both cosmetic and medical dental issues. Below is a rundown of the dental conditions that may necessitate oral surgery.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to develop. In some cases, these teeth emerge from the gums and continue to develop without causing any trouble. However, in most circumstances, this is usually not the case. Sometimes, they can become impacted. Impacted teeth are teeth that get entrapped between the gum tissues and the jaw bone. As a result, they can lead to swelling, pain, and even infection of the gum tissues around them. Furthermore, impacted wisdom teeth can result in the permanent damage of gums, bones, and the nearby teeth. In some cases, they can even support the formation of cyst or tumors that can damage some sections of the jaw. Therefore, dentists may recommend patients with impacted wisdom teeth to get them extracted surgically.
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is quite a common problem among people of all ages. It can result from issues such as tooth decay, trauma, and even infections. When a person has lost all or a few of their teeth, going in for oral surgery to replace the lost teeth with dental implants may be the best decision to make. Although there are other options such as dentures, implants are better because they look and feel more like natural teeth. Besides, dental implants are surgically fixed into the jawbones, and therefore, they can last longer if they are properly taken care of.
Jaw Related Issues
There are a number of jaw problems that can make it necessary for a patient to undergo oral surgery. One of the most common ones is unequal jaw growth. This happens when one of the jaws fails to develop properly, leading to problems in performing basic tasks such as eating, speaking, and even breathing. While simple jaw-related issues, such as improper teeth alignment, can be fixed without surgery, more complex jaw issues may require oral surgery.
Sleep Apnea
When more conservative sleep apnea treatment techniques such as dental splint appliances fail to solve the issue of sleep apnea, oral surgery may be recommended. The procedure may involve surgical removal of oropharynx tissues.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that the importance of oral surgery in dealing with some dental problems cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, it is not unusual for a dentist to recommend oral surgery, especially in cases where more conservative dental treatments cannot offer relief. If you are looking for a reliable dentist offering oral surgery services in The Woodlands, TX, Scott Young is an excellent dental facility to pick. Feel free to contact or visit them today for more information about their practitioners and services.