When Do You Need to See an Oral Surgeon?

An oral surgeon is a very important link in your referral network of primary care providers. General dentists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and medical physicians may, at times, due to various reasons, refer you to an oral surgeon. An orthodontist always works with an oral surgeon to make orthotics and prosthetic appliances that treat many dental issues. An oral surgeon can handle most dental concerns involving treating trauma-related damage, controlling severe oral disease, and overcoming congenital growth issues.

An oral surgeon will help you improve the aesthetic of your smile and boost your confidence in your place of work or with your relationship with your peers.

What is Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is a type of dentistry service that involves the diagnosis and surgical treatment of injuries, diseases, and defects that are related to the functions of your mouth, face, teeth, and jaws.

Oral surgeons can handle oral health problems such as impacted teeth, oral cancer, jaw issues, and tooth extraction.

Why Do You Need an Oral Surgeon Rather Than a General Dentist?

Patients often mistake the roles of an oral surgeon for that of a dentist, and they think that they are one and the same. The difference narrows down to the type of training specialty your general dentist or surgeon has undergone and the types of services they are able to offer you.

General dentists in Portland can perform minor oral surgeries; however, the scope of their work includes oral exams, fillings, crowns, sealants, gum care, and professional teeth cleanings. Your dentist will look at the state of your emergency dental problem to determine if they can treat it. This also applies to gum surgery or surgical dental extraction.

An oral surgeon is needed when your oral problem requires a tooth extraction or restructuring of your gum tissue and jaw bone. A general dentist will refer you to a surgeon who can help you with issues of impacted teeth, wisdom teeth removal to bone loss repair, and jaw misalignment. They are also able to treat chronic conditions or diseases that affect your oral cavity.

When to See an Oral Surgeon

There are a variety of reasons that can necessitate a trip to an oral surgeon near you. If you have any of the dental problems mentioned below, visit a dentist near you to seek immediate dental treatment before the symptoms worsen. Some of the reasons to see an oral surgeon include:

• Tooth extraction

Tooth extraction may be necessary if a tooth is causing crowding in your mouth, if it is deceased beyond repair, or has experienced trauma. If you have an abscessed tooth, that means the infection has reached a point where it has impacted the root of your tooth. This problem can be a painful reaction and should be treated as soon as possible, and removal may also be necessary if it is in advanced stages, and an oral surgeon can do this.

• Impacted teeth

Wisdom teeth are typically associated with impaction, and when this happens, the only treatment needed is an extraction procedure. As you grow from childhood to adulthood, teeth also grow, and sometimes the space in your oral cavity may not support all your teeth. Extraction of the impacted teeth is needed to create space for your teeth and improve the aesthetic of your smile.

• Dental implants

Dental implants can be of great preference if a patient undergoes a tooth extraction in inconvenient places like the front part of your mouth. This will help you restore your smile, and you can discuss with your oral care provider any preference or options for a lustrous and natural-looking smile.

• Jaw issues

An oral surgeon can take care of problems of the jaw, such as chronic jaw pain. Oral surgeons have specialized training and are able to assess if the patient needs to undergo any jaw surgery to help them alleviate their issues with mastication or tension in the jaw.

• Oral cancer

Oral surgeons have specialized treatment that helps handle tumors and treats oral cancers. They can extend to the neck and head depending on how the tumor is associated with your oral health. If you have experienced recurrent or advanced cancer, then tooth removal is coupled with cancer therapy.

To get dentistry services in Portland, OR, visit Laurelhurst Dentistry.