Dental surgery can play a crucial role in maintaining and improving oral health. While regular dental check-ups and good hygiene practices are essential, there are instances when surgical intervention becomes necessary. Whether it’s to address severe tooth decay, impacted wisdom teeth, periodontal disease, or jaw misalignment, dental surgery can offer definitive solutions. Understanding when dental surgery is necessary helps individuals make informed decisions about their oral health care.

While dentists strive to use non-surgical methods to treat dental problems, there are situations where dental surgery becomes necessary to maintain or restore oral health. Here are some of the primary reasons why dental surgery might be required:

1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often become impacted because they do not have enough space to emerge correctly. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth. Dental surgery to remove these impacted teeth is often necessary to alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications. For the best outcome, it is advisable to seek out a highly rated dental surgeon who can perform the procedure with precision and care.

2. Cyst or Tumor Removal

Benign cysts or tumors in the mouth, though not cancerous, can still cause significant damage and discomfort. Surgical removal of these growths is necessary to prevent them from causing further oral health issues.

3. Advanced Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, particularly in its advanced stages, can cause significant damage to the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. Surgical interventions such as flap surgery (to clean the roots of a tooth and repair bone damage) or grafting procedures (to regenerate lost bone and tissue) might be necessary to treat severe periodontal disease and save the affected teeth.

4. Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is needed when there are misalignments in the jaw that affect chewing, speaking, and overall oral health. This type of surgery can correct skeletal discrepancies and improve the function and appearance of the jaw.

5. Dental Implants

Dental implants are often the preferred replacement method for losing a tooth due to decay, injury, or periodontal disease. All-on-4 dental implant solutions offer an effective and efficient option for those needing multiple tooth replacements. The surgical placement of dental implants involves inserting a titanium post into the jawbone, which serves as a stable foundation for a prosthetic tooth. This procedure requires precise surgical intervention to ensure the implant integrates appropriately with the bone.

6. Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is often necessary before the placement of dental implants in cases where the jawbone has deteriorated or lacks sufficient density to support the implant. This surgical procedure involves adding bone material to the jaw to create a solid base for the implant.

7. Oral Cancer Treatment

Surgical intervention is often a critical part of the treatment of oral cancer. Surgery may involve the removal of tumors, affected tissues, and, in some cases, portions of the jawbone. This is often accompanied by reconstructive surgery to restore the appearance and function of the mouth.

8. Severe Tooth Decay

When tooth decay progresses to the point where it affects the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels), it can lead to severe pain and infection. If a root canal treatment is insufficient to save the tooth, surgical extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection. In such cases, dental implant solutions such as all-on-4 vs. all-on-6 can be considered for adequate tooth replacement, restoring functionality and aesthetics.

9. Corrective Jaw Surgery for TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause chronic pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles. In severe cases where other treatments have failed, corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to address structural problems in the jaw and alleviate symptoms.

10. Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy, or root-end resection, is a surgical procedure to remove the tip of a tooth’s root and the surrounding infected tissue. This procedure is typically performed when a root canal treatment has failed and there is persistent inflammation or infection at the root tip.

Wrapping Up

Dental surgery addresses various oral health issues that cannot be resolved through non-surgical means. Whether it involves removing impacted teeth, treating advanced periodontal disease, placing dental implants, or correcting jaw misalignments, surgical interventions are essential for maintaining and restoring oral health. If you experience severe pain, swelling, or difficulty chewing, it is essential to consult a dental professional.