Oral Surgery and Implants
Oral surgery and implants are areas within dentistry that involve surgical procedures in the oral cavity to treat various dental problems or to replace missing teeth.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery refers to surgical treatments performed in the mouth, usually to address issues that cannot be resolved with simpler dental procedures. This may include:
- Tooth extraction: Surgical removal of teeth that are severely damaged, broken, or cannot be saved with other treatments. Wisdom teeth are often removed surgically if they cause problems or grow in incorrectly.
- Root tip surgery (apical surgery): A procedure performed on the tip of a tooth's root to treat infections that cannot be resolved with regular root canal treatment.
- Jaw surgery: Addresses causes of discomfort or disease in the jawbone, such as cysts that may form in the jawbone or around a tooth and need to be surgically removed.
- Periodontal surgery: Surgery to treat gum disease (periodontitis) by cleaning and repairing damaged gum pockets or rebuilding the bone around teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. This treatment involves surgically placing an artificial tooth root, made from tissue-friendly titanium, into the jawbone. The implant serves as a base to support an artificial tooth, bridge, or denture.
The dental implant process consists of several steps:
- Planning: The treatment is planned and X-rays are taken; you also receive information about the cost.
- Implant Placement: A titanium implant is surgically placed in the jawbone where the tooth root was previously located. Titanium is used because it integrates well with the bone (osseointegration).
- Healing Period: After placement, the implant needs time to bond with the jawbone, which can take anywhere from a few months to half a year depending on factors such as bone quality and the surgical method used.
- Placement of the Dental Crown: Once the implant is stable, a digital impression is taken with an intraoral scanner and a suitable dental restoration is ordered from a dental laboratory. Then, a crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant, giving a natural appearance and restoring the functionality of the lost tooth.
- Maintenance: Just like natural teeth, implants need to be kept clean and checked regularly to ensure long-term health.
Dental implants are a durable solution that not only improve chewing ability and aesthetics, but also help prevent bone loss in the jaw that can occur after losing a tooth.
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