Oral surgery phrase was coined first in the mid-nineteenth century by James. E. Garretson. This phrase nowadays refers to a myriad of dental procedures. Oral surgery encompasses invasive procedures to correct teeth and jaw problems. Dental operations can range from something as simple as removing wisdom teeth to complex jaw surgeries and dental implants.

We look at oral surgery with much apprehension and fear, but we must understand that the adverse effects of not having this operation can lead to several different complications. Dental procedures offer many benefits, and if done right, they can correct several oral problems along with boosting patients’ self-esteem.

Let us learn more about what oral surgery is, its benefits, and some of its disadvantages.

What is Oral Surgery?

This field of dentistry focuses on diagnosing and surgically treating tooth diseases, defects, and injuries.

• Through a dental operation, we can not just correct the functional aspects of our mouth but also the aesthetic aspects of our teeth, jaw, mouth, and face.
• Some of the common dental operations are tooth extraction, maxillofacial and dental implants, removal of impacted teeth via dentoalveolar surgery, orthognathic or corrective jaw operation, dental bone grafting, gum bone grafting, cleft palate repair, and treatment for OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).

Benefits of Oral Surgery

A dental operation has many advantages, as it can restore the health of our gums, teeth, and jaw joints and improve quality of life.

• Replace missing teeth – Dental implants are a highly successful and long-term option for replacing missing teeth. Conventional methods of replacing teeth, such as dentures or bridges, can merely restore your tooth’s crown and not its root, which is below the gum line. With dental implants, you are able to replace the entire tooth.
• Address underlying issues – Oral surgery not just addresses the symptoms but also the underlying conditions. For instance, for a misaligned jaw, you can get an orthognathic or jaw alignment operation done along with an orthodontic procedure.
• Avoid permanent damage by restoring deficits – Maxillary and mandibular jaw problems are often progressive, which means the condition only deteriorates with time without bettering. Innovative dental operations in bone grafting (for example, L-PRF) can correct existing bone problems and also prevent them from getting worse.
• Prevent tooth loss – If you get dental operations like dental implants in time, you can save your tooth.
• Restore smile and self-esteem – Enhancing your smile might seem trivial at first, but in reality, it is a big part of your self-esteem. If you have problems like a cleft palate, missing teeth, a visible tumor on your gum or lip, a misaligned jaw, etc., it can hurt your self-esteem considerably. Dental surgeries can correct all of these aesthetic as well as medical conditions to give you back your beautiful smile and a positive self-image.

Some of The Complications Of Oral Surgery

Some of the cons of oral surgery could be:

• Infection – Though rare, you might get an infection after a dental operation, especially for those with a compromised immune system and conditions like diabetes. If you experience any of the signs of infection, like fever, prolonged bad taste, abnormal swelling, etc., you must contact your dentist.
• Dry socket – This condition sometimes occurs after tooth extraction. When a tooth is pulled, you usually develop a clot in the empty socket, which protects nerves and tissues which are exposed due to the extraction. In a week or ten days, this clot dissolves naturally. But in a few cases, the clot might dislodge prematurely, which leaves the nerves vulnerable and slows down the healing process.
• Sinus problems – Sinus cavities exist near your eyes and nose in the front, and drainage from these cavities keeps bacteria away from the nose. The lowermost sinuses are very close to the upper teeth’s roots, and if an operation is performed on these teeth, the roots of the teeth might penetrate sinus cavities, causing complications.
• Root fragments – Tooth roots are fragile and prone to breakage during oral surgery. If the tooth fragments are too close to the sinus or a nerve, your doctor might have to leave that fragment inside to reduce the risk of impacting adjacent teeth.
• Numbness – Dental operation may irritate the nerves at the surgical site, which can result in reduced or complete loss of feeling in some areas of your mouth. Usually, this numbness subsides within twenty-four hours, but in some cases, it might be permanent.

Conclusion

Oral surgery can help with many dental issues as well as maxillofacial abnormalities. It could lead to certain complications in some cases, as explained in the article. Contact your doctor if you experience any problems after a dental operation.