Oral Surgery in Loudon, Tennessee
Oral surgery consists of a variety of procedures that are sometimes necessary to maintain the health and structure of both your teeth and gums. As your oral surgeons in the Loudon, TN area, Michael E. Bowan, D.D.S handles a variety of procedures and services that include jaw surgery, wisdom tooth removal, general tooth extractions and more.
Oral surgery is a part of overall dental health. In most cases, at the very least, a patient will experience minor oral surgery in their lifetime.
When is oral surgery needed?
Many people have to have surgery for a variety of issues. One of which would be a bite or jaw issue with joints, muscles, and pain. If the jaw is not set right sometimes jaw surgery is required. Jaw surgery aligns the jaw so the teeth and bite operate properly. Another case would be a typical wisdom tooth removal procedure. Most people have to have their wisdom teeth removed due to potential overcrowding. Occasionally, a general tooth extraction is required in a lifetime. If a tooth is not salvageable, damaged, or deeply affected, an extraction could be imminent.
Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgeries are often necessary to correct a bite or skeletal issue from abnormal growth of the jaw. Most poor bites are growth related, but some are due to jaw joint problems, arthritis, trauma or injury.
An abnormal bite can make routine tasks uncomfortable such as eating, swallowing, talking, and can sometimes even trigger sleep apnea. An uncorrected jaw can cause your teeth to wear out, move around, and can even lead to bad oral health issues like gum disease and decaying teeth.
If your jaws have developed out of proportion, then jaw surgery is required also known as orthognathic surgery.
How does it work?
- It will be determined by your doctor or dentist if you are the right candidate for jaw surgery.
- A plan for the surgery is created through skeletal analysis, drawings, models, and images.
- They will use a template for surgery to align the jaws into the proper position.
- During the surgery, the jaws are then repositioned with screws plates and wires.
- The jaw then heals and finds it’s new position and bite.
The jaw and area around it may swell from the surgery the first week and a half. Most of the swelling is gone within weeks with some remaining a few months
Sinus and nasal issues are reported post surgery. You may experience some congestion. Diet is limited to blended and soft foods post surgery for at least the first week.
Tooth Extraction
There are many reasons that may cause you to have a tooth extracted. The reasons include crowded teeth, risk of infection, or gum disease.
In the field of orthodontia, your orthodontist may need you to have teeth pulled due to overcrowding in the mouth. When they are trying to align your teeth, your orthodontist may need to create space before they can begin the work. In other cases, if a tooth is not able to break through the gum because there is no space in the mouth in that area then your dentist may have to pull it.
In some cases, a patient may have had some sickness that has hurt their immune system and rendered them vulnerable to infection. In such cases, if a specific tooth is open to infection then there may be a good reason to pull that tooth to prevent any infection.
A tooth with decay can affect the soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves surrounding. If bacteria get into this area, then an infection can occur. Root canals are usually attempted to rectify the infected tissue but if that won’t help an extraction is often done to prevent a worsening infection.
Process of an extraction
- Before your tooth is pulled, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area. If you have many teeth being pulled, sedation may be required.
- The dentist will then proceed to remove the tooth.
- Once the tooth is removed, gauze pad is placed into the empty socket to lessen bleeding. If stitches are required, they will self- dissolve on their own within weeks.
Wisdom Teeth
Getting your wisdom teeth pulled is very common nowadays. Most people will need to have this procedure done in their lifetime, usually as young adults. Wisdom teeth can be impacted and affect the spacing of your teeth. If you previously had orthodontic work, this could be costly. You will want to have them removed.
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow in the mouth. Unfortunately, in most cases they do not come in with proper alignment and have to be removed. They can be detrimental to any orthodontic work you have had done already. They can come in sideways or even remain stuck inside the gum or the bone. If they are impacted, underneath the gum they may try to partially emerge, causing bacteria to grow in that area and create an infection. This process can become very painful causing discomfort, sickness, cysts, and swelling. At this point, the wisdom teeth can be pushing around other teeth and lead to a serious infection or gum disease.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Process
Removing the impacted teeth is pivotal to preventing any future damage.
- Your oral surgeon will perform an oral exam with x-rays
- They will find exactly where the teeth are and what problems may arise.
- An outpatient surgery is scheduled for anesthesia, and the teeth are removed. The gum is sutured, and gauze is used to stop bleeding.
- Post surgery you are sent home with pain medications, antibiotics, and follow-up appointments are scheduled. Food is limited to soft food and liquids for several days.
The earlier the teeth are removed, the better the outcome for the patient.
Other oral surgeries you can read about include root canals, dental implants and more. Drs. Jason and Michael Bowman are your premiere oral surgeons in Loudon, TN, give our staff a call today to discuss your oral surgery options.
