10 Conditions That Oral Surgeons Treat

Oral surgeons treat a wide range of complex dental and facial issues that go way beyond what your regular dentist can handle. They deal with these issues with utmost care and expertise, relieving you of your pain and fixing the situation as best as they can.

These specialists, trained in oral surgeries, have the skills to fix problems that require precision and advanced care. In this post, we’ll walk you through what dental issues oral surgeons treat and when you need to visit one.

What Do Oral Surgeons Treat?

They perform various treatments for a range of complex mouth, jaw, and facial conditions that require surgery to be fixed. They’ have years of extra training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, which means they’re ready to tackle procedures that need a steady hand and a deep understanding of your facial structure. Here we have a rundown of conditions that oral surgeons treat and what they entail:

1. Extensive Tooth Decay: Severe cavities that destroy most of the tooth structure.
2. Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Teeth stuck in the jaw or gums, unable to erupt properly.
3. Loose or Missing Teeth: Teeth that are unstable or absent due to disease, trauma, or aging.
4. Oral Cancer: Cancer in the mouth that requires diagnosis, tumor removal, and possible reconstruction.
5. Jaw Alignment and Bite Problems: These problems are caused by genetics, developmental factors, injury, trauma, habits, or early dental issues.
6. Infections in The Mouth, Jaw, or Face: Bacterial infections that are caused by untreated tooth decay, gum disease, and dental or facial trauma.
7. Insufficient Jawbone Volume: Lack of enough bone for implants or support, often caused by tooth loss, gum disease, trauma, and infection.
8. Oral and Facial Trauma: Broken jaws, teeth, or soft tissue injuries from accidents.
9. TMJ Disorders (Temporomandibular Joint): Problems with the jaw joint that cause pain, stiffness, or limited movement.
10. Cleft Lip and Palate: Birth defects where the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth don’t fully join during early pregnancy, creating a gap.

Apart from the table above, there are other things that oral surgeons do, such as cosmetic procedures and treatments. In general, they are there to treat both emergency and other types of oral conditions. So if you need to see an oral surgeon, rest assured that you are in trustworthy hands.

Common Conditions and Procedures Performed by Oral Surgeons

Now that we’ve discussed the conditions oral surgeons treat, it’s time to dive into different types of oral surgery procedures that are performed by them. These experts deal with a ton of different issues, and we’re going to walk you through some of the most common ways they handle them.

Tooth Extractions (Including Wisdom Teeth Removal)

Sometimes, a tooth has to be extracted. Maybe it’s because of severe tooth decay, advanced gum disease, or especially a wisdom tooth that’s impacted, meaning it’s stuck under your gums and causing all sorts of trouble like pain or crowding.

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common procedures oral surgeons handle. These teeth can be a real pain, and if they’re not removed properly, they can mess up your other teeth or lead to infections.

Oral surgeons are experts at getting these tricky teeth out safely, using their training in oral and maxillofacial surgery to make sure everything goes smoothly. They’ll also manage any oral infection that might pop up during the process, keeping your mouth healthy.

Worth Reading: Top Tips for Quick Recovery After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Dental Implants and Bone Grafting

If you’re missing a tooth or two, dental implants might be the answer. These are like artificial tooth roots that oral surgeons place into your jaw to hold a new tooth in place. Dental implants are made for people who want a lasting smile that looks natural.

Sometimes, your jawbone isn’t strong enough to support an implant, and that’s where bone grafting procedures come in. Oral surgeons add bone material to your jaw, building it up so it can handle the implant. It’s a detailed process, but these specialists make it look easy, giving you a smile you can show off to everyone.

Further Reading: Advantages and Risks of Dental Implants Surgery

Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Having jaw issues? Maybe your bite’s off, or your jaw doesn’t line up right, making it hard to chew or even talk. Jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is something oral surgeons do to fix these problems. This procedure makes your jaw work better, and on top of that, it improves your appearance.

For some people, jaw surgery is also a key part of sleep apnea treatment. If your jaw position is blocking your airway while you sleep, causing snoring or breathing pauses, orthognathic surgery can reposition the jaw to open up that airway, making it easier to breathe at night and reducing sleep apnea symptoms.

For whatever reason, you go through jaw surgery, oral surgeons use their expertise in oral and maxillofacial surgery to get everything back in place.

TMJ Disorders and Facial Pain Treatment

If you’ve ever had jaw pain, clicking, or trouble opening your mouth, you might be dealing with TMJ disorders. These issues with your temporomandibular joint (the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull) can be a real headache, sometimes literally causing intense headaches.

Oral surgeons treat TMJ disorders with everything from non-surgical options like splints to, in severe cases, surgery to fix the joint. They also handle facial pain that might be tied to these issues, figuring out what’s causing it and how to make it stop.

Treatment for Oral and Facial Trauma

Accidents happen, and when they involve your face or mouth, oral surgeons are the ones to call. Facial trauma repair is a big part of what oral surgeons treat. Whether it’s a broken jaw from a car accident or a knocked-out tooth from a rough game, these specialists know how to put things back together.

They use their skills in oral and maxillofacial surgery to fix bones, repair soft tissues, and make sure your face looks and works as it should. It’s intense work, but they’re trained to handle it with care and precision.

Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery

Cleft lip and palate for kids or adults are birth defects, where the lip or roof of the mouth doesn’t form properly, creating a gap that affects eating, speaking, and even breathing. According to Healthline, cleft lip and palate surgery can repair most of these issues. Oral surgeons try to close the gaps and improve function and appearance. This is not just one procedure, and sometimes it takes a few surgeries over time to get acceptable results.

Oral Cancer Biopsy and Treatment

Oral cancer is a serious and dangerous issue, and oral surgeons are often the first line of defense against it. If your dentist spots something suspicious, like a sore or lump that won’t go away, an oral surgeon might do a biopsy to check for cancer.

Oral surgeons treat oral cancer by removing tumors or affected tissue, often working with other doctors to make sure you get the best care. Their skills in oral cancer surgery are critical for catching and treating this disease early, which can save lives. Plus, they’re trained to handle the delicate balance of removing cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

When to See an Oral Surgeon

So, how do you know it’s time to see an oral surgeon? One big clue is when your dentist refers you to one! They often spot issues or conditions that need a specialist’s touch, and refer you to get the professional help you need. These issues and conditions include:

• Impacted or Problematic Wisdom Teeth
• Complex Tooth Extractions
• Missing Teeth Requiring Implants
• Jaw Misalignment and Bite Problems
• Persistent Jaw Pain or TMJ Disorders
• Difficulty Opening or Closing the Mouth (Trismus)
• Facial Trauma or Injury
• Pathological Oral Issues
• Persistent Oral Infections or Abscesses (e.g., Wisdom Tooth Infection)
• Unexplained Oral or Facial Numbness
• Severe or Extensive Tooth Decay
• Chronic Sinus Issues Linked to Oral Health

Oral surgeons are experts at handling these. Basically, if your dental issue feels too big for a regular checkup, an oral surgeon’s expertise in oral and maxillofacial surgery is what you need. Also, as mentioned before, since your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon, going to regular dental checkups is a great strategy to treat these problems before they can cause more harm.

Our Oral Surgeons Treat Every Dental Concern with Expert Care

Oral surgeons are basically the leveled-up version of normal dentists, stepping in to handle complicated situations from wisdom tooth extraction to procedures that save lives, like oral cancer surgery. They treat a wide range of conditions, using their advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery to fix problems that go beyond a regular dentist’s expertise.

If you’re looking for quality oral surgeons, Elmwood Park Dental is the place to go. Our team is ready to help with everything from wisdom tooth extraction to complex jaw surgeries. We also provide emergency dental treatments for those who need a fix the very same day.

Contact us today to book a consultation session. Your smile deserves the best care!

FAQ

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