Oral surgeons are otherwise known as maxillofacial surgeons. They are specialized surgeons that deal with any issue in your mouth that needs surgery. Oral surgery encompasses surgical needs for your mouth, teeth, neck, gum, jaw, and other soft tissue surrounding your mouth. Most oral surgery procedures can be done using local anesthetic.

However, some serious cases require general anesthesia. There is a variety of reasons why you might need oral surgery. Here are cases that require you to have oral surgery.
 

Extracting a Tooth

Tooth extraction is the most common oral surgery. A problematic tooth is removed from its socket using oral surgery tools. The surgeon rocks the tooth back and forth to separate it from the ligament and roots that hold it in its socket. Sometimes, the tooth is impacted. The surgeon cuts it into smaller pieces and removes all the pieces.
 

Infected Roots

When the roots are infected, the tooth faces inevitable death. The surgeon can try to save the root using a procedure called an apicoectomy. It involves opening the gum and treating the part of the root that has an infection. If they cannot be treated, the surgeon removes the roots and seals the end.
 

Oral Trauma

Some patients experience blunt trauma to the face that affects the mouth. Accidents and sports injuries contribute to a big number of oral traumas. The surgeon performs constructive surgery to help the patient return to normal oral function.
 

Cleft Palate

Cleft palate surgery is a procedure used to fix a hole in the mouth palate. It is done under general anesthesia. Children born with a cleft palate are the most beneficiaries of this type of surgery. The surgeon performs reconstructive surgery on the nose and mouth to close the gap.
 

Growths and Lesions

Patients sometimes present with growths and lesions on their oral cavity. Abnormal oral growths can appear in your gum, cheeks, or tongue. If the growths are cancerous, an oncologist works with a dental surgeon to remove and treat them.
 

Misaligned Jaw

The surgery that is used to correct a misaligned jaw is called orthognathic surgery. It’s a procedure used to correct misaligned upper jaw, lower jaw, or maxilla. A misaligned jaw can be a congenital condition, or it can be a result of an accident.
 

Reconstructive Surgery

Most dental surgery cases require reconstruction to some degree. Reconstructive surgery can be cosmetic or clinical. Cosmetic restorative surgery deals with fixing the general appearance of the mouth and face. Reconstructive surgery deals with fixing problems so that the patient can achieve full function. Both these surgeries deal with structural problems in your mouth.
 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of the mouth. People remove them because they serve no functional purpose. They become problematic when they get cavities that infect the roots. They can also push other functional teeth around causing pain in your mouth. Some people remove their wisdom teeth as soon as they come out. Others wait and remove them when they start showing signs of cavities or overgrowth.

For more information on dental surgery, visit Le Smile Aesthetic & Comprehensive Dentistry located at our offices in Vienna, VA, and Fall Church, VA. You can also call 703-448-3527 or 703-534-6226 to book an appointment.