There are a number of reasons why you’ll need dental work. But when it comes to oral surgery in Greenville, SC, there are only a few things to consider. If you think you may need to see a dentist for a surgical treatment, schedule your checkup as soon as possible before your symptoms get worse. 

Most individuals go through oral surgery procedures when they have problems with their jaw, mouth, or teeth that cannot be resolved by other dental treatments. While the notion of surgery may be frightening to some, oral surgeons routinely perform these operations, so there is no need to worry.

Man preparing for oral surgery in Greenville SC

Common Reasons for Oral Surgery

Oral Carcinoma

Patients who have been diagnosed with oral cancer will also need oral surgery. The malignant tumor must be surgically removed as part of the treatment. 

Oral cancer is a deadly disease that claims the lives of about 9,750 Americans every year. To preserve your dental health at its best, you should practice good oral hygiene, avoid smoking, and see your dentist on a regular basis. Oral cancer screening should be done at least once a year, especially if you notice any abnormal growths in your mouth. 

Dental Implants

Dental implants are required when you have missing teeth and are unable or unwilling to replace them with dentures, bridges, or crowns. It is crucial to substitute a missing tooth since the implications of losing or removing a tooth and doing nothing will immediately escalate into a much greater problem. 

Dental implants provide many aesthetic advantages, but they also play a considerable part in your mouth’s overall function. Dental implants aid in maintaining a healthy bite by keeping each tooth in its normal position while also supporting a healthy jawline and avoiding bone loss. When a tooth is lost or extracted without being replaced, the jawbone might degenerate. This occurs because chewing pressure and stimuli are what keeps the jawbone healthy in the first place. 

If you have several missing teeth, you will be required to undergo surgery in order to insert dental implants. Your dentist will create a tiny slit in the gum and drill holes in the underlying jawbone to place the biocompatible titanium posts. A dental crown will then be attached to the implants once they have effectively integrated into your bone. 

Jaw Disorders

People who suffer from persistent jaw pain may require jaw surgery to relieve the strain, straighten the patient’s bite, and eliminate the condition. It can be performed to treat severe orthodontic disorders involving the teeth and jaws, such as underbites (the most common surgical repair) and birth anomalies related to jaw development. Jaw surgery may even help in the treatment of sleep apnea, a potentially fatal disorder. 

This surgery is always performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who completes a four-year hospital-based residency program after finishing dental school. When it comes to anesthesia, general surgery, and emergency medicine, dental surgeons train alongside other medical and surgical residents. Apart from anesthesiologists, they are the only medical professionals who can give all levels of sedation and general anesthesia. 

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth appear between puberty and adulthood, and the mouth may not be large enough to accommodate them. If you ignore impacted wisdom teeth, they might push your teeth into the improper places, causing bite issues and mouth pain. Below are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth: 

  • Malocclusion – The misalignment of the lower and upper jaws. 
  • Sporadic swelling of lymph nodes near the neck. 
  • Pain and difficulty in chewing. 
  • Bad breath due to infection and bacterial growth. 
  • Infection or abscess found in the gums. 
  • Swollen glands in the neck and shoulder. 
  • Bleeding, tender, or swollen gums. 
  • Pressure in the back molars. 
  • Pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). 
  • Throbbing pain of the affected tooth. 

Extraction of Teeth

When a tooth is severely damaged or shattered and cannot be fixed or healed, your dentist may consider extraction. Likewise, when it has been damaged, is causing dental crowding, is highly infected, or is in the advanced stages of gum disease, they may also recommend extraction.

While you may think that tooth removal can wait, it can’t. There are various reasons why it’s not a good idea to prolong the existence of a damaged or infected tooth. Failing to extract a tooth will lead to an undesired physical feature or appearance, decreased jawbone, drifting teeth, and accelerated tooth loss or tooth decay.

woman having oral surgery in Greenville SC

Learn More About Oral Surgery in Greenville, SC

Oral surgery concentrates on the diagnosis and surgical procedures of defects, injuries, and diseases of both the soft and hard tissues of the teeth and mouth. Surgical treatment in the office is performed in a safe and sterile setting and conducted by a team of highly experienced, trained, and qualified oral surgeons.

If you’re interested in learning more about oral surgery, contact Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to set up a consultation.