Oral Surgery In Houston, Tx

Though the primary goal of effective routine dental care is preventative, there are times in which oral surgery is required to treat more advanced dental conditions. While any type of surgery is often met with apprehension, understanding how this specialized approach can optimize your oral health can be beneficial. Our team at Champions Dental emphasizes patient communication to target any concerns and lessen your nerves prior to your oral surgery procedure.

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery is a more advanced, specialized area of dentistry that relies on the latest surgical techniques to treat issues in or around the mouth. Though these types of procedures typically involve greater complexity, many patients undergoing oral surgery can return to work within a few days, with the majority of treatments being outpatient procedures. Effectively treating more complicated dental concerns, such as missing teeth, complicated wisdom tooth extractions, or root canals, often relies on a treatment plan that includes an oral surgical procedure. This approach combines diagnostic imaging, expert surgical practices, and various options for anesthesia, allowing the dentist to treat the condition while maximizing patient comfort and providing each patient with an individualized experience.

If determined that an oral surgery procedure is a necessary form of treatment for your dental concern, your dentist will discuss the various options for anesthesia during a consultation. Local anesthesia relies on the injection of a numbing solution into the area being treated. With this form of anesthetic, the patient remains awake and alert, while pain is minimized. With other sedative options, including general anesthesia and IV sedation, the patient will be either completely or partially asleep during the procedure. Information on anesthesia, including what our team does to monitor you while you’re sedated, will be discussed before your appointment.

Types of Oral Surgery Procedures

While some oral surgery procedures may require even further specialization, many are routine procedures that are used to treat common dental issues. Some of the most common oral surgeries include:

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

The wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last set of permanent teeth to come in. At the upper and lower back corners of the mouth, wisdom teeth often present complications or cause overcrowding due to the lack of available space in the dental arch. For many patients, wisdom tooth removal is required to preserve the health of the surrounding teeth and gums. While some wisdom tooth extractions are straight forward, others require a more specialized surgical technique. An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth trapped in the jawbone. As the tooth attempts to find a way to emerge through the gum tissue, it may change position and even disrupt the alignment of the surrounding teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth or one that could lead to complications should be removed before symptoms progress.

Apicoectomy

Apicoectomy is a treatment used to repair a failed root canal tooth that has experienced infection in the root. During this procedure, the nerve and pulp located in the last port of the tooth and infection will be removed. Bone graft and membrane will help restore the bone loss. Performing this procedure allows the patient to keep the tooth while preventing the spread of bacteria that could occur.

Dental Implants and Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Dental implants are the most reliable methods for tooth replacement and deliver remarkable results. An implant provides a strong, durable foundation for a prosthetic tooth, allowing the replacement to look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. When structurally compared to your natural teeth, an implant-supported-replacement has the same parts – a crown and a root that anchors it securely into the jaw. The insertion of this titanium anchor is an oral surgery procedure.

Emergency and Complex Extractions

While many tooth extractions are simple procedures, some require more specific surgical techniques. In some cases, gum tissue or adjacent bone may need to be removed. In other cases, a tooth may need to be cut into several pieces to facilitate greater ease of extraction.

Champions Dental for Your Oral Surgery Needs

At Champions Dental, we recognize the important role a healthy, radiant smile plays in your overall health and confidence. We remain committed to offering our patients an unparalleled level of comfort and individualized treatment plans as we target your dental concerns and take care of your oral health needs. With more than 15 years of experience and dedication to honing our expertise, we offer premier dental services and advanced treatment techniques that will keep your smile looking its best.

Visit our team at Champions Dental today to discuss your options for treatment or call to schedule your next oral health check-up appointment. Your beautiful smile awaits!

Oral Surgery Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take care of the treatment site post-operation?
After your procedure, your dental team will provide you with detailed guidelines to support you through healing and recovery. In many cases, you will be asked to avoid brushing the area for at least 24 hours. Your recovery guidelines will also include which foods are okay to consume as well as which lifestyle activities should be avoided in the days immediately following the procedure.
How long does it take to recover from oral surgery?
The recovery timeline will be unique to each patient and take multiple variables into account, including the complexity of your oral surgery treatment. For many straightforward outpatient surgeries, patients can expect to be able to return to work within a few days. During your consultation, our dental team will discuss the details of your recovery and what to expect post-procedure.
Is tooth extraction painful?
We offer various options for anesthesia that minimize any pain felt during the procedure itself. For tooth extraction, a local anesthetic is typically injected into the treatment site. For some procedures, general anesthesia or IV sedation may also be recommended. Before your procedure, your dentist will discuss each of these sedation options with you.
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is a wisdom tooth either partially or completely trapped inside the jawbone due to a lack of space in the dental arch. An impacted tooth may be growing horizontally, vertically, or at an angle in the direction of your second molars or towards the back of your mouth. Left untreated, an impacted wisdom tooth could harm the positioning of your adjacent teeth or could be a source of bacterial buildup. When recommended by your dentist, it’s important to have an impacted tooth extracted before complications progress.
How do I know if dental implants are right for me?
Implants are the tooth replacement option that most resembles the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth. A titanium post is surgically placed in the socket where your missing tooth once stood. This post acts as an anchor and foundation that secures the replacement tooth to your jawbone. For many patients, an implant is an ideal option for tooth replacement. Scheduling a consultation with our team at Champions Dental will help us accurately assess your options for prosthetic replacement and whether dental implants are right for you.
What type of anesthesia is offered for oral surgery?
When it comes to anesthesia to minimize pain and lessen anxiety during your oral surgery, numerous options exist. One option is local anesthesia. With this form of sedation, a numbing solution is injected into the treatment area. Though the patient remains alert and awake, the procedure will be virtually pain-free. Other sedation options include IV sedation and general anesthesia. With these anesthesia types, the patient will be either partially or completely asleep for the duration of the treatment.
Are oral surgery procedures covered by insurance?
Your CWhether or not your oral surgery procedure is covered by insurance will depend on your dental insurance provider and the specifics of the procedure in your treatment plan. While tooth extraction may be partially or completely covered, dental implants may not be. Our office can help you determine coverage and provide you with the appropriate questions to ask your insurance provider.
What should I expect during my oral surgery procedure?
Your dentist will provide you with detailed guidelines to follow both before and after your oral surgery takes place. The specifics of those guidelines will depend on the surgery being performed, type of anesthesia administered, and the complexity of the procedure itself. For some forms of anesthesia, the patient will be able to drive themselves home, while other forms may require that transportation arrangements be made beforehand. As discussed in your consultation, each oral surgery procedure will begin with administering the decided upon anesthesia. Once in effect, the surgery will take place. After the procedure, the patient may be given time to recover.
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