Oral Surgery: Procedures, Types and Definition

Oral surgery refers to a broad spectrum of surgical operations performed on oral structures like teeth, gums and jaws. These dental procedures are an invasive approach to restoring the health of oral structures. Oral surgery is sometimes necessary to address function and aesthetics to support optimal long-term oral health.

This comprehensive guide explains the different types of oral surgery procedures, their risks and benefits, and what to expect during recovery.

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery encompasses the specialty of dentistry practices that diagnose and treat disease, injury and defects in the soft and hard tissue of oral and maxillofacial structures.

While many may be familiar with the most common and standard procedures an oral surgeon does, like wisdom tooth extraction, these procedures also include reconstructive surgery, complex root canal treatments and sinus augmentation. Dental specialists often combine invasive techniques with other treatments like orthodontics and dental implants to restore function and enhance aesthetics.

These surgeries are usually performed at dental clinics or operating rooms and involve general anesthesia, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide or intravenous (IV) sedation agents. Sedation ensures patients are comfortable and calm during the procedure.

Why Is Oral Surgery Performed?

woman experiencing jaw pain holding a toothbrush

If you’re experiencing nagging jaw discomfort, persistent toothache or another type of oral pain that’s increasingly unbearable, you should visit your dentist for an oral exam. A qualified dentist can diagnose the root cause of your discomfort and determine whether oral surgery is necessary. The benefits of oral surgery are improved mouth and jaw function, better health and a better quality of life. Oral surgery works to make a patient’s mouth as healthy as possible.

Your dentist may recommend dental surgery for various reasons, including:

  • Extensive tooth decay: When tooth decay advances, tooth pain and sensitivity symptoms increase along with the risk of infection and abscess. A tooth abscess can spread to jaw bones and other head and neck areas. At this late stage of tooth decay, patients risk developing sepsis — a life-threatening infection.
  • Severe gum disease: Minor cases of gum disease are often treatable without surgery. However, if left untreated, bone loss can progress, and bleeding gums can become infected.
  • Broken or missing teeth: Cracks and holes in badly broken teeth can expose the tooth pulp to bacteria, which may lead to an infection that could form an abscess. Missing teeth can lead to teeth shifting, speech problems and difficulty chewing.
  • Impacted teeth: When a tooth remains stuck in the gum or jawbone, persistent pain and discomfort can degrade a patient’s quality of life. Impaction can also lead to overcrowding and misalignment.
  • Bone loss that affects the jaw: Tooth loss and gum disease can cause jawbone loss. Untreated bone loss in the jaw can cause facial atrophy, severe tooth loss and even collapse of the joint structure.
  • Oral cancer: Cancerous tumors on the lip, tongue, gums or other oral structures require prompt treatment. Dental specialists may need to remove sections of surrounding bone or palate when cancerous cells spread.
  • Temporomandibular joint disorders: TMJ disorders affect jaw joints and the surrounding muscle and ligament tissue. Jaw pain, headaches, migraines, toothaches and jaw popping are common symptoms. When these symptoms negatively impact daily life, surgical intervention may provide relief.

Types of Oral Surgery Procedures

types of oral surgery procedures graphic

Oral surgery procedures range from minor treatments to major operations. Here are some of the most common types of procedures.

1. Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are minor procedures and the most common type of mouth surgery. They involve removing a tooth from its gum socket. While dentists generally prefer to save a natural tooth, restorative methods like dental fillings and crowns are not always possible. Extracting a tooth that’s damaged beyond repair allows dentists to restore function and aesthetics with a dental implant.

Your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction for various reasons. Removing a tooth can provide relief if you have the following oral health issues:

  • Severe tooth decay
  • Tooth fracture
  • Impacted teeth
  • Late-stage gum disease

Before the procedure, your dentist will perform an oral exam to assess the affected tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. Dental X-rays may be necessary to determine the extent of the damage. Your dentist may administer nitrous oxide or IV sedation for a painless procedure.

Dentists use local anesthesia to numb the affected area before they loosen and lift the tooth with specialized dental tools. In some cases, the dentist may need to make incisions in the gum line to remove the affected tooth. Once the tooth is removed, the socket is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

2. Wisdom Tooth Removal

The third molars, or wisdom teeth, typically erupt in the back of the mouth in late adolescence, around 17 to 21 years old. Many people experience complications with their wisdom teeth because they don’t have enough jaw space to accommodate another set of molars.

The procedure is fairly straightforward and involves removing the tooth via an incision in the gum tissue. The dentist may need to break the tooth into smaller parts for easier removal. Once removal is complete, the dentist stitches the area closed and prescribes post-operative care to encourage fast healing and recovery.

Your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth removal if you have:

  • Lingering pain in or around the tooth.
  • Swelling of nearby soft tissue.
  • Development of cysts surrounding the tooth.
  • Shifting or damage to nearby teeth.
  • Difficulty cleaning the erupting molars.
  • Lesions or pimples appearing nearby.

Some people never develop wisdom teeth and do not need any surgical interventions.

3. Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal diseases are often referred to as gum diseases. They are usually classified by their stage of progression. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, although it can progress to moderate or advanced periodontitis. In moderate cases, periodontal pockets form in the gum tissue around teeth, and gum lines start to recede. In advanced stages, bone and tissue loss risk increases as periodontal pockets grow.

Your dentist may recommend this type of oral surgery if you have:

  • Advanced or severe gum disease.
  • Gum recession.
  • Swollen and bleeding gums.
  • Deep periodontal pockets.

Periodontal surgery is a procedure that can remove the bacteria lurking beneath the gums and reshape bone tissue. There are a few different types of surgical approaches to treating severe gum disease, including:

  • Flap surgery: Small incisions are made along the gum line, and tissue sections are lifted. Tartar and bacteria buildup from beneath the gums are removed, and the lifted gum tissue is sutured back.
  • Bone graft surgery: A bone graft may be necessary when gum disease leads to bone damage. Bone grafts are sourced from small areas of healthy bone or synthetic bone.
  • Soft tissue grafts: Receding gum lines can cause teeth to become loose. Untreated, receding gums can lead to tooth loss. Soft tissue grafts can help restore gum tissue and are sourced from elsewhere in the patient’s mouth to replace degraded gum tissue.

4. Endodontic Treatment

Endodontic therapy, more commonly known as a root canal, is a last-resort surgery for saving an infected tooth.

When the soft pulp tissue inside the tooth experiences trauma, it can become inflamed or infected. This damage affects all the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth, which can lead to an abscess developing under the tooth and cause severe complications.

Your dentist may refer you for a root canal if you experience:

  • Tooth or gum discoloration.
  • A constant throbbing pain in your tooth or jaw.
  • Persistent sensitivity to temperature and pressure for several minutes.
  • Chipping or cracking on the tooth.
  • Swollen or painful gums.
  • An unpleasant odor coming from the tooth.
  • Severe pain when eating.

In this procedure, an endodontist drills into the tooth to remove the infected pulp tissue. After cleaning and disinfecting the area, the surgeon fills the hole with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. The procedure can take anywhere from one short visit to multiple 90-minute appointments, depending on the extent of the infection.

The biggest benefit of a root canal is the reduced need for additional dental work — patients who follow the recommended post-operative care directions rarely require further treatment.

5. Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial replacements that can restore function and appearance. Implants can replace one or more missing teeth to improve speech and eating ability. This type of procedure can also improve teeth alignment by preventing shifting.

There are two primary types of dental implant procedures:

  • Endosteal implant: An incision is made into the jaw before dental drilling techniques create an opening in the jawbone. A screw or cylinder structure that is implanted in the opening to anchor the prosthetic tooth in place. A single endosteal implant can hold one or more prosthetic teeth. Patients with dental bridges or dentures are ideal candidates for endosteal implants.
  • Subperiosteal implant: These implants are placed below the gum and above the jawbone. Metal frames are secured onto the jawbone beneath the gums. The framing supports posts that hold the prosthetic teeth. Subperiosteal implants are beneficial for patients who have lost most or all of their premolars and molars.

6. Dental Bone Graft

Dental bone grafts are procedures that try to replace bone loss in the jaw. Trauma, periodontal disease and tooth loss can all cause bone loss. A dental surgeon will perform a bone graft to prepare the jaw for dental implants, restoring the jaw’s look and function. Dental implants need enough bone to support the implant — bone grafts ensure the jaw has the support it needs. Materials for dental bone grafts include:

  • Allografts or donor bones.
  • Autografts or bone from the patient’s body.
  • Xenografts or animal bone.
  • Synthetic materials.

After the surgery, the graft integrates with the patient’s existing bone. This process promotes new bone growth, giving the patient stronger and better jaw function.

7. Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

Cleft lip and palate repair involves several surgeries to correct the lip and palate. A cleft lip or palate is one of the most common birth defects. Repair surgery can correct the improper facial fusion. This condition can affect speech, hearing and eating. Several repair surgeries occur over several months as the child develops, repairing the lip, palate and any nasal deformities. Later, the surgeon might perform corrective operations for speech or remaining issues.

Oral Surgery Risks

Like all surgical procedures, oral surgery has some risks. While a surgeon works to prevent infections and other complications, you should know the risks before your surgery. Risks and complications of oral surgery can include:

  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Nerve damage
  • Nausea
  • Further corrective procedures

oral surgery risks graphic with dentist assessing patients open mouth

You might be at an increased risk of complications if you have a preexisting condition. Always consult your surgeon and ask for further evaluation before your surgery if needed.

Oral Surgery Recovery

Recovery may look slightly different for each patient based on the procedure, surgeon and health. Anyone getting oral surgery should follow their doctor’s advice to promote healing and prevent complications. You should expect some swelling, bruising and discomfort right after your surgery. These symptoms should fade, but ice packs and pain medications can help improve recovery. Rest lots after your procedure — rest helps prevent bleeding and encourages healing.

Your surgeon will also recommend avoiding certain activities, like:

  • Using heat: Only apply heat on your face if your surgeon recommends it — heat might lead to swelling.
  • Using straws: Straws create suction and negative pressure, potentially dislodging blood clots. Clots keep your wounds closed, encouraging healing.
  • Smoking: Smoking also creates suction. Additionally, inhaling nicotine might impact your recovery or even lead to health complications.

If you experience complications during your recovery, contact your surgeon for assistance. They’ll advise you on best practices and create a recovery plan to accommodate any changes.

Oral Surgery FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have when they receive a referral for oral surgery.

1. Will Oral Surgery Hurt?

An oral surgeon administers either local anesthesia or sedation to ensure your comfort during the procedure. You shouldn’t feel any pain while the surgeon is working.

While you may experience some post-operative pain, your surgeon will typically prescribe medications and therapeutic techniques you can take to help manage any discomfort.

2. How Long Will the Procedure Take?

The duration of your procedure will vary based on the type of surgery you need and how severe your condition is.

Some procedures, like an intensive root canal, can take multiple 90-minute visits to complete. Others, like tooth extractions, are more straightforward and only require a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is healing as anticipated.

3. How Long Will I Need to Recover?

Your recovery will also depend on the type of surgery you need.

Recovering from a more invasive procedure, like a bone graft surgery or flap surgery, can involve several weeks of pain management and soft foods. A less invasive procedure typically takes only a few days to a week.

Regardless of how long it takes, following your surgeon’s post-operative recommendations is crucial for avoiding further dental interventions in the future.

schedule a dental exam with dental choice graphic

Schedule a Dental Exam With Dental Choice

Dental Choice offers comprehensive oral health services to meet your needs. Our expert team is dedicated to delivering exceptional, tailored care for all our clients. From routine dental exams and teeth cleanings to advanced treatments and cosmetic enhancements, our goal is to make your visit comfortable and effective. With quality facilities and an experienced staff, Dental Choice is here to get you the best possible care. Contact Dental Choice online to book your appointment today!

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