Your oral health is vital to your overall well-being, with some dental issues demanding more than just regular brushing and flossing. Indeed, some issues may require surgical intervention to ensure your mouth remains a hub of health. These conditions often manifest themselves in the form of pain, discomfort, and changes in your mouth’s appearance.
This blog post will highlight three such dental issues to help you understand these conditions better.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth are a common dental condition that occurs when there is insufficient space for the wisdom teeth. Also known as third molars, these teeth can’t surface or grow normally. They can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes even horizontally. This problematic positioning can cause the teeth to become trapped within the jawbone or gum, leading to what is known as impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth can present a variety of symptoms, including gum inflammation, pain, swelling, and infection. In some cases, they may not show any symptoms, yet they can still foster a breeding ground for oral disease, including cavities and gum disease.
In addition, impacted teeth can lead to the formation of cysts around the wisdom teeth, which can damage bones, teeth, and nerves. Considering these potential complications, dentists often recommend surgery to remove these teeth, even if they’re not currently causing any problems.
Carried out under local or general anesthesia, the procedure involves opening up the gum tissue over the tooth, removing any bone covering the tooth, separating the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone, and finally, removing the tooth itself. This surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with most patients fully recovering within a few days.
Severe Gum Disease
Severe gum disease or periodontitis is a serious inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It’s caused by bacteria that accumulate on the teeth and gums, forming a sticky, colorless film known as plaque.
Without proper cleaning, plaque hardens into tartar, leading to gingivitis—the earliest stage of gum disease. Without treatment, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, causing gums to pull away from the teeth and form spaces (“pockets”) that become infected. Over time, this process can cause the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place to break down, leading to loose teeth that you eventually have to remove.
Periodontal surgery is required when the tissue surrounding your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be restored through non-surgical methods. The specific type of surgery will vary depending on the severity and progression of the disease.
Examples include pocket reduction procedures (flap surgery), regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts. These surgical interventions aim to reduce bacterial spread and prevent further bone and tissue damage. They also enhance the aesthetics of your oral cavity and make daily oral hygiene easier.
Bone Loss
Bone loss in the jaw usually results from periodontitis (advanced gum disease), tooth extraction, injury, or denture wear. Over time, these factors can lead to a significant reduction in the bone’s volume and density. This can alter the shape and appearance of your mouth and face, causing issues with speaking, eating, and facial aesthetics.
Bone loss can also compromise the stability of existing teeth and make it challenging to place dental implants—a popular and efficient solution for missing teeth. This often necessitates a bone grafting procedure to replace lost bone and stimulate new bone growth.
Bone grafting aims to rebuild or augment the amount of bone in the jaw using bone from another part of the patient’s body, a donor, or synthetic materials. The procedure involves placing the grafting material in the area with bone loss, allowing it to fuse with the existing bone over several months. This encourages the growth of new bone cells, ultimately restoring the jaw’s shape and function.
These surgical procedures are only worthwhile if you work with a qualified, experienced dental professional. Schedule your appointment with Farhoumand Dentistry to learn more about these dental issues and their solutions. We offer a full range of dental services, including general, cosmetic, and surgical procedures, to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health.