For many, the mere mention of “dental surgery” is cause for anxiety. This does not need to be the case!
Dental surgery in Fishers is simply a collection of procedures that correct complex dental issues and restore the aesthetics, function, and integrity of a patient’s smile and bite. By recognizing the situations in which dental surgery is necessary and understanding what various procedures entail, we can demystify dental surgery and help you prepare for any upcoming oral surgical procedures as effectively as possible!
Severe Tooth Decay
When decay penetrates deeply into a tooth, it causes severe damage that a simple dental filling cannot fix. If the decay reaches a tooth’s inner “pulp” (blood vessels, nerve endings, and soft tissue), dental surgery is often the only corrective measure.
In times like these, your dentist may elect to perform a root canal to remove the infected tissue.
Alternatively, laser dentistry can effectively remove decay with precision while minimizing the damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This modern approach reduces pain, speeds up recovery time, and even sterilizes the affected area, reducing the risk of infection.
Treating Gum Disease
When allowed to advance beyond gingivitis, gum (or “periodontal”) disease often requires surgical intervention. This is because advanced gum disease can cause significant tissue damage and bone loss and threaten the stability of teeth. Scaling and root planing, a deep-cleaning technique, is a common initial treatment option. However, when this is insufficient, flap surgery or bone grafts may be necessary.
Here, too, laser dentistry in Fishers offers a less invasive option, targeting and removing diseased tissue and bacteria with high precision. This significantly reduces discomfort and enhances healing.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is necessary when a tooth is too damaged to be saved by other dental procedures. This damage can result from extensive untreated decay, trauma, or advanced gum disease. The tooth extraction process involves numbing the area around the affected tooth, making a small incision in the gum tissue, loosening the tooth in its socket in the jaw, and then carefully removing it.
Thanks to their potential to cause complications, wisdom teeth (or “third molars”) are popular candidates for dental extraction. Wisdom teeth often become impacted, meaning they don’t fully emerge through the gums or grow misaligned, causing significant discomfort. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infections, cysts, and damage to adjacent teeth.
The wisdom tooth extraction process involves a similar incision in the gum tissue. In this case, however, the oral surgeon may also have to remove any bone blocking access to the tooth root before extracting it. This procedure can require a bit more recovery time, with swelling and discomfort than are typically manageable through home remedies, prescribed pain medications, and proper aftercare.
Dental Implant Placement in Fishers, IN
Dental implants offer a comfortable, natural-feeling, and incredibly durable solution for tooth loss. The dental implant process involves the surgical placement of a titanium post into the socket in the jawbone vacated by a lost tooth. Once this post permanently fuses with the bone through osseointegration, it acts as an artificial tooth root and creates a strong and stable foundation for a dental crown. This procedure restores smile esthetics, improves biting and chewing functionality, and prevents jawbone loss that can occur following tooth loss.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is necessary when there is insufficient bone in the jaw to support dental implants. Bone loss can result from periodontal disease, trauma, or long-term tooth loss. The bone grafting procedure involves taking bone from another part of the body or using synthetic materials to build up the deficient area. Adding this bone material encourages new bone growth and creates a solid base for implants.
Bone grafting is critical in ensuring the success of dental implants, as it helps provide the necessary support and stability for long-term oral health. The recovery period involves careful monitoring to ensure proper integration and healing before implant placement.
Timely and effective dental surgery is vital in maintaining oral health when routine dental care is insufficient. Understanding common reasons for dental surgery, including advanced, less invasive techniques like laser dentistry, can go a long way toward helping you make informed decisions about your dental care and avoid anxiety when the need for oral surgery in Fishers, IN, arises.
Dental Surgery with Precision and Compassion in Fishers, IN
If you are experiencing severe oral discomfort, including any of the issues mentioned here, it is essential to consult with a dental professional. If you’re in Fishers, IN, contact Dr. Jeremy Jones, DMD, and the highly skilled and caring Dentistry of Fishers team to schedule a consultation to discuss your needs.