If your dentist has recommended oral surgery, you may wonder what it is and how it could help you. This aspect of dental care is responsible for treating conditions in the mouth that require surgical intervention. Some of the most common reasons patients need oral surgery include the following:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Infections of the soft tissues in the mouth
- Injuries to the teeth and surrounding tissues
- Mandibular fractures
- Facial pain
- Severe decay or periodontal disease
These issues are best treated through oral surgery, which can be performed in our Farmington, UT, practice. Luckily, these procedures are relatively routine, and most patients are able to go back to work or other normal activities within just a few days after their procedure.
We may recommend local anesthesia for your procedure to ensure maximum comfort for you during treatment. Once your procedure is over, we’ll provide you with detailed after-care instructions to ensure proper healing.
Most Common Oral Surgery
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
During your treatment, we will administer anesthesia to numb the treatment site and help minimize pain. Once you’re relaxed, your doctor will extract the tooth using a gentle technique to minimize trauma to the soft tissues in your mouth. After your tooth is removed, it’s important to follow all postoperative instructions so your mouth can heal properly.
You may experience some discomfort following surgery, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. If needed, we can also prescribe a stronger pain medication to help with any lingering or severe discomfort. Keep in mind that symptoms typically dissipate within a few days of surgery.
Avoiding certain foods after your procedure can be helpful in promoting healing. Examples of foods to avoid include hot and cold beverages, foods that are hard to chew, and alcoholic beverages. We recommend avoiding smoking and using a straw when drinking to avoid irritating the surgical area.
Benefits of Oral Surgery
Wisdom teeth often need to be removed due to impaction, meaning that they grow sideways instead of straight through the gums. Impacted teeth are more likely to get infected and spread infections to other teeth, so it is best to remove them as soon as possible. If left to grow in, they can cause pain, infection, and even crowding as the other molars begin to shift to make room for them. Removal is a straightforward procedure that can be done under local anesthesia in most cases. Patients generally recover quickly after having their wisdom teeth removed and can get back to eating their normal diet within a few days.
To find out more about the dental services offered at our dental practice, call (801)-923-1011 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 1838 N 1075 W #100, Farmington, UT 84025, USA.