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Oral surgery is used to treat an array of dental issues. At your consultation, our dentist will talk to you about the severity of your case and whether you will need oral surgery. If it is determined that you need oral surgery, we will give you all of the information that you need to make the decision that’s right for you and your smile.

Oral surgery focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth, jaw, teeth, gums, and related structures. In other words, oral surgery is anything related to the mouth! This can include obstructive sleep apnea, wisdom tooth removal, dental implants, cleft palate repair, bone grafting, facial trauma or injury, tumors in the mouth, and much more. Many oral surgeries are done under local anesthesia. However, if the procedure is more complex, sedation dentistry might be used. This can be performed either orally or intravenously. During the procedure, patients will need to follow all instructions closely to help ensure a successful outcome.

Why Would I Need Oral Surgery?

Your dentist may suggest oral surgery for a variety of reasons, including:

• During an extraction, if a tooth is stuck below the gum line and can’t be removed using instruments.
• To repair an injured jaw, damaged tooth, or fractured dentures.
• For bone grafting to prepare for the placement of dental implants.
• After a traumatic injury to the face that damages the jawbone, mouth, or teeth.
• To prevent sleep apnea by addressing issues with your jawline or tongue.
• When wisdom teeth need to be extracted to avoid crowding in the mouth

How is a Fracture In Your Jaw or Facial Bone Repaired?

If you’ve fractured your jaw, an oral surgeon can repair the broken area with a bone graft and surgical screws. This will allow you to bite down normally, eat comfortably, and speak clearly again. Jaw fractures often occur as a result of accidents, sports injuries, or physical violence. Sometimes, they develop slowly over time with repeated stress to the jaw. Severely displaced fractures will require surgery to reset the bone and repair the damage. In this case, oral surgeons will carefully realign the jaw using wires and other techniques to stabilize the jaw as it heals.

The impacted area of the jaw will be filled with synthetic graft material and secured in place with titanium screws that fuse with the natural bone in the jaw. Then the area will be sutured closed and left to heal on its own. The patient’s teeth may need to be removed to allow for the best possible healing of the jaw, though this typically only occurs in severe cases of trauma. Once healed, patients will be able to chew and speak without pain.

Before your procedure, be sure to discuss all of your concerns with your dentist so you’ll feel prepared and relaxed on the day of your operation. If you have any remaining questions or would like to schedule an appointment for oral surgery at our practice, don’t hesitate to contact us today! Visit Boutique Dental at 68-35 Myrtle Ave, Queens, NY 11385, or call (718) 821-0170 to schedule an appointment.