Your regular dentist in Newport Beach, CA can provide checkups and routine treatments, but more complex procedures might require the skills of an oral surgeon. There are certain dental problems that cannot be corrected without surgery, and it can be beneficial to seek treatment from a qualified and highly experienced oral surgeon. Some of the issues that might require the attention of an oral surgeon are listed below.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Your wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, and quite often there is not enough room for them in the jawbone. This can lead to them becoming impacted, where they try to erupt underneath existing teeth, or they might even try to push through sideways. Wisdom tooth problems can cause infection, swelling and pain, or might even lead to cysts or tumors developing around the affected teeth. Without extraction the damage could be permanent.
Tooth Extraction
Straightforward tooth extractions can be carried out by your dentist in Newport Beach, CA, but they may refer you to an oral surgeon if there is the possibility of complications.
Dental Implants
Dental implants replace missing teeth through inserting a titanium post into the jawbone where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Often there is not enough bone to hold the implant in place, and an oral surgeon will build up the bone with a graft, before placing the dental implant.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can affect the soft tissues or bone in the mouth. It is necessary to remove tissue samples for diagnosis, and oral surgery might be required to remove tumors or growths.
Trauma
Severe trauma to the face may require a complete facial reconstruction. Oral surgery can repair facial bones and fractured jaws.
Cleft Lip or Palate
Sometimes the lips or palate will fail to develop properly in the womb, resulting in the baby being born with a gap in their lips or palate. Reconstructive surgery may be carried out over a number of years.
Abnormal Jaw Growth
Some people have jaws that have failed to develop correctly; perhaps the upper or lower jaw is too small or too large. Oral surgery can help correct these problems through repositioning the jaws to create a more balanced facial appearance.
