Our Elmhurst restorative dentists understand that the term “dental surgery” can be a little intimidating for many people. But, we’re here to assure you that “surgery” doesn’t need to equal “scary,” and that, in fact, surgical intervention can be smile-saving in certain situations. Keep reading to learn more about when and why surgery becomes necessary…
Dental Damage
When dental cavities and gum disease are not treated, these infections can spread throughout the patient’s oral-maxillofacial structure. Tissues that are damaged beyond repair will need to be removed in order to stop additional damage from occurring. The good news is that restorative dentistry allows our team to rebuild and repair missing teeth, gums, and jawbone moving forward.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
You may find that oral surgery is necessary when it comes time to remove your wisdom teeth, especially if these teeth are impacted in your jawbone. Surgical intervention allows our team to open up the patient’s jaw tissue and retrieve the stuck wisdom tooth.
Oral Cancers
Oral surgery can also become necessary if you are diagnosed with some type of oral cancer. Cancerous tumors can develop throughout the patient’s mouth—on the gums, in the jaw tissue, on the tongue, on the hard palate, or in the sinuses. We strongly recommend that you stay up-to-date with your schedule of semi-annual professional cleanings so that your dental team is able to regularly screen your smile for problematic tissue.
As you can see oral surgery is an indispensable tool in the world of restorative dental care. To learn more about the ins and outs of surgery, or to schedule a consultation with our Elmhurst dentists, please give our office a call!