Surgery That Benefits Your Smile
The idea of surgery often puts people on edge, but undergoing surgery when necessary can positively impact your quality of life and longevity. The same is true for oral surgery, which can make a difference in preserving your smile, your oral health, and even your overall well-being. Keep reading to learn more about oral surgery, including our oral surgery options and how they can benefit you.
What Is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery, also referred to as maxillofacial surgery, is a broad term that refers to surgical operations performed on your mouth, face, and jaw. These operations are performed to address disease, defects, and injuries in these areas. At Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry, we offer multiple forms of oral surgery that can improve your oral health, prepare you for beneficial restorations, and improve your smile.
Oral Surgery Options
Your oral surgery will be performed right here at our Belvidere office. If you’re feeling nervous about your surgery, we want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. We take all of the necessary steps to keep you safe and comfortable, including the use of sedation dentistry.
Some of the oral surgery options we offer overlap with other fields, such as restorative dentistry and general dentistry. Our oral surgery options include the following:
Root canal therapy is an oral surgery process to treat problems such as infection and severe damage. During a root canal, your Belvidere dentist will remove any damaged/decayed/infected tooth material. From there, they’ll fill the tooth and more than likely reinforce it with a crown, restoring its form and function.
Supplemental procedures are oral surgeries that improve your oral health and increase your chances of more successful dental procedures such as implant placement. Bone grafting involves using transplanted bone from another source to strengthen your jaw and encourage it to regenerate. Gum grafting involves removing soft tissue from another part of your mouth and attaching it where gum tissue is lacking. These procedures can also be beneficial when performed on their own for treating issues such as gum disease and resorption.
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement because they’re lifelike restorations that replace the entire tooth from root to crown. The titanium posts are surgically implanted into your jaw, giving the restoration a sturdy foundation while keeping your jawbone strong. This surgical process allows dental implants to function just like real teeth. These benefits also apply to All-on-4 and implant-supported dentures.
Tooth extraction is commonly known as a general dentistry practice because simple extraction doesn’t involve incisions. However surgical tooth extraction requires incisions to be made into the gums to fully extract the tooth. A surgical incision is usually necessary for a tooth that isn’t fully erupted (impacted). This is most often the case with wisdom teeth, which often don’t have room to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Belvidere dentist will give you specific instructions to follow after any surgical procedure to ensure healing goes smoothly. In general, common instructions to follow after surgery include:
- Avoid foods and drinks that can harm or irritate the surgical site
- Gently rinse with warm salt water after meals or three times a day
- Avoid vigorous rinsing, harsh brushing, and flossing at the surgical site
- Avoid vigorous activity and exercise for 24 hours after the procedure
- Don’t suck on straws as this can dislodge necessary blood clots
- Avoid caffeine, tobacco products, and alcohol
- Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods
Be certain to follow any post-oral surgery instructions your dentist gives you.
Like any surgery, oral surgery usually involves a few side effects. Common side effects of oral surgery include bleeding, soreness, and swelling. However, when your oral surgery is performed by dental professionals like those at Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry, side effects should be minimal and easy to control. Your Belvidere dentist will likely prescribe pain medication and instruct you on the use of cold compresses to help bring down swelling.
After oral surgery, you’ll need to follow a certain diet, usually for at least a week or longer, in order to ensure you heal. As a general rule, you should avoid foods that are:
- Crunchy
- Brittle
- Hard
- Spicy
- Chewy
Additionally, you should stick to drinks that are:
- Room temperature
- Non-carbonated
- Non-alcoholic
- Low on sugar
- Non-caffeinated
Your Belvidere dentist will give you more specific instructions on what you can and cannot eat and when it will be safe to return to your normal diet.
Because oral surgeries are often necessary, most insurance providers will cover at least some of the costs. The dentists and staff at Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry encourage you to contact your dental and health insurance providers beforehand and ask them which costs they can cover. Rest assured that we’ll work with you to help you afford the oral surgery you need.
