Oral surgery is a type of dental procedure that is performed to correct problems with the teeth, gums, jaws, or neck. Oral surgery in New York, NY, can be performed on children and adults.

Extracting Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last permanent teeth to emerge in a person’s mouth. In most cases, they emerge between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. However, some patients never develop wisdom teeth at all. Other people’s wisdom teeth come in crooked or misaligned. These individuals may need oral surgery to prevent damage to their smile.

Third molars can crowd the mouth and affect other teeth. They can also cause painful infections when they only partially erupt or when they grow in impact. Your New York dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth if they cause you to discomfort or if you have difficulty cleaning them. In some cases, extraction may also be recommended for orthodontic reasons. For example, a person with shifting teeth can benefit from having their wisdom teeth removed before orthodontic treatment begins.

Treating Impacted Teeth

Your dentist in New York, NY, may recommend oral surgery in order to treat an impacted tooth. While wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted teeth, any tooth may become impacted. This occurs when the tooth fails to erupt fully through the gums and rests sideways or is trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can cause discomfort and lead to an oral infection if not removed. In some cases, waiting to see if an impacted tooth will erupt on its own can lead to a condition called Pericoronitis, in which gum tissue becomes inflamed due to bacteria buildup and food debris. This can lead to swelling and pain in the gums. Another possible complication is that the tooth can become infected and develop an abscess if left untreated. An abscess is a sac of pus that builds up around the tip of the tooth root. If you suspect that you have an impacted tooth, schedule an appointment with your New York dentist as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.

Repairing Jaw Fractures

Tooth fractures are fairly common, especially in younger patients who play contact sports or other activities that could result in injury to the mouth. Depending on where the fracture occurs, your dentist in New York, NY, might recommend repairing the tooth with a filling, crown, or even a root canal if pulp damage has occurred. However, if the tooth is broken or cracked in a way that threatens the health of the surrounding teeth, then oral surgery might be recommended. In the case of a tooth that is completely knocked out of the socket, an oral surgeon may be able to reimplant it. Or, your dentist in New York, NY, might decide it’s best to extract the tooth and replace the gap in your smile with dental implants or a dental bridge. Your dentist can discuss all of your treatment options with you and recommend the best one based on the type and severity of your injury.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is used to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including underbites and overbites, as well as issues with chewing, speaking, sleeping, and other routine activities. Orthodontists and oral surgeons can diagnose the need for this corrective procedure based on patient symptoms and a thorough dental exam.

Jaw growth problems may require surgical treatment when orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct the problem. While the patient’s appearance may be improved, the goal of the procedure is to treat a functional problem and improve overall health. Patients with sleep apnea or severe snoring who may have obstructions in the airway may benefit from this type of surgery as well. During a consultation, the orthodontist or oral surgeon will evaluate all treatment options available for the patient and help determine the most appropriate approach to improve the individual’s health and quality of life.

To learn more about oral surgery in New York, NY, visit Century Dental Associates at 353 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10016, or call (212) 587-3000. Our dentist is your best resource for a recommendation that will allow you to achieve a healthy smile!