Oral Surgery and Teeth Extractions
When most people think of visits to the dentist, they think of fillings, cleaning and extractions. However, what they probably don’t realize is that while we certainly do perform extractions, they are usually the last option for treatment, not the first!
As a Bay City dentist, we often see patients who need extractions and we’re always happy to help
What are the Benefits of Oral Surgery?
There are many reasons people undergo oral surgery at Bay City Dental Center. Treatments are safe, minimally invasive, and can restore your oral health when issues like gum disease, missing teeth, or impacted wisdom teeth are present. Our dentists perform a wide range of procedures to help improve your overall wellbeing. Additional benefits include:
- Relieve pain and discomfort
- Help restore a natural smile
- Allow for easier chewing and speaking
- Prevent tooth misalignment by removing extra or impacted teeth
- Preserve jawbone strength
- Help prevent future dental problems
Am I A Candidate For Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures, including wisdom teeth removal, gum grafting, dental implants, and more. The best candidates for an oral surgery procedure at Bay City Dental Center include men and women who have:
- Generally good oral health
- Healthy jawbone density
- Dedication to following aftercare instructions
- Severe tooth decay
- Gum disease (periodontitis)
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- A dental injury
- Missing teeth
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What Is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery is a broad term that describes a range of treatments to treat all kinds of dental conditions, typically practiced by dentists and oral surgeons.
The primary difference between traditional dental treatments and oral surgery is that when we use treatments like fillings, only the teeth are involved. When the gums and jaws are involved, the treatment probably falls into the category of oral surgery.
What Should You Expect From Oral Surgery?
You will be booked for a follow-up appointment after the root canal has been performed, to fit a permanent cap or crown to your tooth. If you do still experience any pain after a root canal, it is very important that you let us know during that visit, or feel free to contact us for an appointment.
If we believe that oral surgery may be your best treatment option, Dr. Ward will perform a detailed exam, including x-rays and visual inspections of the affected tooth or teeth, and he will discuss the process with you in detail, including follow up procedures like implants or bridge work that can replace teeth that are lost to extraction.
Your oral surgery will then be carefully planned. In some cases, like tooth extraction, Dr. Ward of Bay City Dental Center can perform your procedure right here in our office, with local anesthesia. In other cases, for example, impacted wisdom teeth, general anesthesia in the operating room may be necessary.
As always, we try to opt for the least invasive, affordable solution in every case, but we have to balance those goals with patient comfort, and sometimes, general anesthesia is the best option.
Once your surgery is complete, you will be provided with detailed after-care instructions, and advised when to return for a follow-up appointment, where dentist Dr. Ward will ensure that everything is healing correctly, and he will discuss any follow-up treatments that may be required.
What Is Recovery From Oral Surgery Like?
Every surgery is different, and every patient too. Some patients have very little pain and bounce back from oral surgery quickly, while others take a little longer to recover. Whichever group you fall into, your dentist Dr. Ward will give you after-care instructions to help your healing and to prevent unnecessary pain.
If at any point during your recovery, you are worried that something is not right, you can always call or visit our office to discuss your concerns, or for an exam to rule out post-operative complications.
Dental surgery, like all surgery, is not something people look forward to, but if you are experiencing pain and discomfort, it can provide the relief you need and be an appropriate solution to consider.
Oral Surgery FAQ
How much does oral surgery cost?
The price of oral surgery will be different for each individual patient. This is due to the fact that cost depends on a number of factors, including the exact procedure performed, as well as the severity of the case. During your consultation, we'll analyze the patient's mouth before creating a custom treatment plan in order to provide a detailed estimate of the overall cost.
Is oral surgery painful?
Though there can be some pain associated with certain oral surgeries, we do our best to reduce discomfort by administering local anesthesia. In addition, we can prescribe medication in an effort to minimize pain after the procedure.
How long does the mouth take to heal after oral surgery?
After oral surgery, we usually encourage for patients to rest for anywhere from 2 – 3 days. After this point, patients will be free to return to their everyday activities for the most part. However, it will generally take at least 3–4 weeks for the soft tissue to heal.
When is oral surgery necessary?
When teeth are beyond repair by all known dental treatments, an extraction is sometimes the only alternative. The only person who can confirm that for you is your dentist, so you should schedule a consultation without delay.
What are some examples of oral surgery?
Some examples of oral surgery include wisdom tooth extraction, complicated root canals, tooth extraction, dental implants, grafts, and gum contouring. However, there are many other options that may be recommended by our staff after your consultation.
Is oral surgery covered by dental insurance?
An extraction is usually covered by dental insurance, but your sedation method may or may not be fully covered. Before your procedure, we'll contact your insurance company to ascertain your particular coverage and estimate your out-of-pocket costs. If you don't have dental insurance, Dr. Ward can speak with you about the many payment methods we accept along with information on low-interest medical financing.
