Oral and maxillofacial surgeries are becoming more popular. Between 2010 and 2016, the number of annual surgeries has only grown.
However, there’s more than one type of oral surgery you might need in your lifetime. By learning more about these procedures, you can prepare yourself in case you need oral surgery in the future.
Here are five of the most common types of dental surgery. Whether it’s for health or cosmetic reasons, these procedures can make a big difference in your smile.
Keep reading to learn more!
1. Wisdom Teeth Removal
About 10 million individual wisdom teeth are pulled every year. Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last to grow within your mouth. For some people, wisdom teeth aren’t an issue.
Other patients don’t have enough room for their teeth to grow in completely.
Some wisdom teeth can even cause pain, push your teeth out of alignment, or increase your risk of gum disease.
This type of oral surgery will remove the tooth to reduce your pain. You can receive anesthesia and sleep through the entire thing. You’ll likely need the day to rest afterward.
2. Dental Implants
Many types of oral surgery are designed to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Dental implant procedures allow you to replace missing teeth. In addition to closing a gap in your grin, this procedure can also help you avoid gum disease.
Like the wisdom teeth procedure, you’ll receive anesthesia beforehand. The surgeon will then place a metal post in the jawbone. Your new tooth will grow around the post.
Once it’s ready, your surgeon will place a natural-looking, artificial tooth in that spot.
You can learn more about dental implants.
3. Jaw Surgery
Your jaw can get knocked out of alignment due to trauma, a birth defect, or misaligned teeth. This can cause your mouth to function improperly.
This type of oral surgery will improve your facial structure, allowing you to regain function.
Jaw surgery requires a surgeon to cut and move your jawbones. You might need screws, wires, plates, and/or rubber bands for placement. After the surgery, your jaw will remain wired shut for some time.
4. Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
A cleft palate is a birth defect that causes part of the mouth and nasal cavity to grow together. This causes the upper roof of the mouth to split. Sometimes, the upper lip appears split as well.
Throughout these oral surgery procedures, surgeons will work to repair and rebuild the cleft palate. This procedure can help improve a child’s appearance, quality of life, and functionality.
5. Sleep Apnea Treatment
Some conservative treatments can’t help patients who suffer from sleep apnea. An oral surgeon can remove excess tissue from the back of your throat. This can reduce your symptoms and improve your sleep.
Say Ahhh: 5 Types of Oral Surgery & How They Can Help
Improve your smile and your quality of life with these five types of oral surgery! Now that you understand these different surgeries, you can request the help you need.
Discover more life-changing tips by exploring the Health section of the blog today.