You may also need some cosmetic work, such as crowns, veneers or bridges. Your general dentist will be able to perform these procedures as well, although some people prefer to find a dentist that specializes in cosmetic dental work.
Surgical Dental Procedures And Treatments
For more advanced treatments involving surgery, you may want to consult with an oral surgeon. Surgical procedures are usually performed by a dental professional who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Maxillofacial procedures commonly include diagnosis and treatment of patients who have suffered injury and require additional medical and reconstructive procedures of the mouth, jaw, face, neck and skull.
Some dental practices, such as Park Dental Care in Astoria, Queens, have a professional on staff to address the surgical needs of patients. At Park Dental, oral surgery is performed on-site by certified surgeon, Wayne M. Seid, DMD. Dr. Seid can treat a wide range of injuries, diseases, trauma, defects and medical conditions. Oral surgeons receive anywhere from four to eight years of additional training after dental school and perform procedures such as removal of wisdom teeth, gum surgery, bone grafts, dental implant surgery and more. Other procedures they offer include removal of soft tissue, impacted tooth removal, soft tissue biopsies, removal of tumors in the oral cavity, complex jaw realignment surgery, fractured cheek or jaw bone repair, and cleft palate or lip restoration, among others.
One of the most popular procedures performed by an oral surgeon is the removal of impacted teeth. Tooth extraction is necessary when the tooth comes in but fails to fully emerge through the gums and becomes trapped between the gum tissue and the jawbone. It is common for wisdom teeth to become impacted because they are the last set of teeth to develop, after all of the other teeth have found their place. Cuspids and bicuspids are known to become impacted as well, but it’s just not as common as with wisdom teeth. The trapped tooth can cause surrounding soft tissue to become swollen and painful and can lead to infection of the tissue around the impacted tooth, causing serious damage to surrounding teeth and the supporting jawbone. This is why it is highly recommended that impacted teeth be surgically removed.
Another common reason to consult an oral surgeon is to discuss implant surgery. This practice is used to replace a missing tooth or series of teeth, whether the loss was caused by injury or periodontitis. During this procedure, a screw-like structure is “implanted” into the jawbone in order to permanently support a replacement tooth. In many cases, the surgery may also require additional grafting procedures to build up the jawbone to a satisfactory level of strength and density in order to successfully support the implant.
No matter what type of dental issue you may be experiencing, it’s best to contact your general dentist to discuss your oral health issues and treatment options. When warranted, you may then be referred to an oral surgeon for further treatment.
For more information about oral surgery procedures, contact Park Dental Care in Astoria, Queens at 718-274-1515.
