Oral surgery is a dentistry subspecialty that diagnoses treats, and manages many of the issues that affect oral health and appearance. There are several types of oral surgery and each one fulfills a particular role in treating patient conditions.

Hence, the team at Argyle Associates would like you to know about the different types of oral surgery.

Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction, as the name suggests, is performed to remove a tooth from the jawbone. A tooth removal procedure is necessary to treat some oral health issues like:

When a tooth is decayed or damaged to the extent that a repair cannot remedy the situation.
When a harsh infection on a tooth resists all other methods of treatment.
When a tooth, usually a wisdom tooth, is impacted and unable to grow out in a typical fashion, causing swelling and pain.
When the teeth are crowding each other and some need to be removed to create space.

Tooth extractions can be either simple or surgical in nature.

Simple tooth extractions are performed when the tooth is clearly visible, not hidden by the gum line.
Surgical tooth extractions are used to remove broken or impacted teeth.

Tooth extractions usually serve as a first step to other dental procedures like bridges, dentures, or dental implants.

Dental Implant Placement

A dental implant placement is a type of oral surgery that is used to install titanium roots in the jaw. After a healing period of 3 to 6 months, a post or an abutment is attached to the roots and they serve as an attachment point for artificial teeth.

Dental implant placement provides a long-term and stable solution to tooth replacement. The implants mimic the look and function of natural teeth and none of the adjacent teeth will require alteration during the process. The patient can eat, speak and smile with confidence after the process is complete.

Bone Grafting

This procedure is one of the more complex types of oral surgery. Bone grafting is performed to enhance a jawbone’s quality or quantity, whichever needs improvement. It involves the addition of supplementary bone tissue to the jaw in preparation for a procedure like a dental implant placement. Bone grafting is usually performed when the jawbone lacks the strength or density to brace or endure the procedure needed to fix an oral issue.

Bone grafting techniques exist in several ways:

Transplanting bone from a separate part of the patient’s skeleton, like the rib, hip, or tibia, into the jaw (Autograft)
Transplanting bone from a human donor (Allograft)
Transplanting bone from an animal donor (Xenograft)
Transplanting synthetic substitutes into the patient’s jaw (Alloplast)

The bone grafting procedure requires anaesthesia, local or general, to ensure that the patient isn’t unduly harmed. The grafted tissue is held in place with either plates or screws to ensure that it properly fuses with the jawbone. After the integration is complete, the dental procedure can be performed.

Bone grafting is a very effective type of oral surgery that finds consistent success. Its ability to buttress the strength and density of a jawbone to improve the success rate of other dental procedures is very important. The oral surgeons at Argyle Associates are extremely familiar with bone grafting procedures and can ensure that every step of the process is handled correctly – contact our team today to set up a bone grafting consultation.

Jaw Surgery

Also known as orthognathic surgery, this is a type of oral surgery that focuses on restoring the alignment of the jawbones. Hence, the patient can resume speaking, smiling, and eating in a typical manner. Jaw surgery usually requires the expertise of an orthodontist and a specialist oral surgeon.

Jaw surgery is used to fix several issues including:

When the jaws are out of alignment, increasing the difficulty of eating and speaking.
When the patient suffers from TMD (Temporomandibular joint disorder) and can move their jaw without pain or difficulty.
When the patient’s facial appearance is not proportionate, either due to a defect or trauma
When sleep apnea cannot be remedied any other way.

This type of oral surgery usually needs general anaesthesia to spare the patient any undue pain. To ensure that the jaws go into the right places, the doctors may have to remove, reshape and reposition the jawbones. Hence, jaw surgery might require some hospitalization.

During the recovery period, the patient has to follow a strict dietary and medical regimen given by their surgeon. Also, they will need to attend follow-up appointments so the orthodontist and surgeon can check on the healing process.

Why Oral Surgery Requires Special Training

Each of the various types of oral surgery involves delicate procedures that alter and shape equally delicate structures. The required skills and experience required to properly manipulate the bones in the jaw cannot be easily attained.

As such, dental surgeons need specific education and training to carry out the various types of oral surgery. They will need specific knowledge of anatomy and patient management so they can perform their tasks safely and effectively. They also need training in surgical techniques so their procedures can be as accurate as possible. Surgeons also need the ability to assess and manage any underlying medical conditions patients might have. Thankfully, the surgeons at Argyle Associates possess all of these characteristics – that’s why we’re confident we can provide the highest level of oral surgery in the Ottawa area and beyond. Get in touch with us today to inquire about a consultation.

Argyle Associates – Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery

The different types of oral surgery each provide solutions to the different issues that can affect a patient’s oral health. With the right hand performing the procedure, a patient can receive a restored or enhanced smile with the ability to speak and eat without difficulty. Please contact us if you have any needs concerning oral surgery. Since 1976 we have provided high-quality service to all who walk through our doors. The expert oral surgeons at Argyle Associates are well-versed in all areas of oral surgery and are prepared to offer you the best oral surgery services in Ottawa.

Don’t wait until your dental issues deteriorate to an unbearable point – get in touch with us today to give your mouth the best service available in the Ottawa area.