Oral surgery in Hudson Valley

What’s Meant by Oral Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery focus on the diagnosis and treatment of defects, diseases, and injuries involving the face and jaw. Oral surgery is specific to the mouth, including the teeth and jaw. A surgery that involves correcting a misaligned or irregular jaw is called orthognathic surgery, and surgery that involves the jaw and face is called maxillofacial surgery.

Do Oral Surgeons Provide Only Surgery?

Oral surgeons have spent many years achieving expertise in their field, so even though they can perform general dental services, they typically work within their specialty. When you call our office for a jaw surgery appointment, you’ll most likely be requesting one of the following services, which include the most common procedures we perform:

Wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom teeth are the third and last set of molars to appear and they usually come in after the age of 18. Unfortunately, many people lack sufficient room in their mouths for the additional set of molars, so their wisdom teeth need to be removed. Although technological advances have greatly simplified the extraction process for wisdom teeth, you’ll probably need sedation in the form of a local or IV sedative. The number of teeth being extracted, impactions, or any additional complications may increase the need for IV sedation and thereby affect the cost of the procedure.

Reasons for wisdom teeth removal include:

• Lack of room in the jaw for the teeth to fully erupt.
• They are causing damage to the surrounding jaw or other teeth.
• The wisdom teeth are erupting at an angle.

Tooth extractions

If a tooth has been subjected to trauma, severe decay or infection, it may need to be extracted, since not all teeth can be restored. If one or more teeth are adversely affecting the alignment or the complete eruption of other teeth, the oral surgeon may recommend removing them. The extraction procedure and cost will depend on the type and location of the tooth, any additional work that needs to be done, and the type of sedation used. If you have any questions about a procedure, please call our office in Hudson Valley and we’ll be happy to answer them.

Dental implants

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may need dental implant replacements. Implants have titanium posts that function like a tooth’s root, and they help to preserve the stability and function of the jawbone. Without a complete set of teeth, other teeth may lean forward and your jawbone may begin to recede. You may also develop wrinkles around your mouth and your facial features could become distorted. If you need dental implants, contact us and we’ll schedule a consultation for you.

Oral cancer screening and diagnosis

Although oral cancer is often associated with smoking, there are other causes as well, and the incidence of oral cancer is increasing. Medical professionals now recommend that individuals be screened for oral cancer, particularly those who are in a high-risk group. Although the prospect of a cancer diagnosis is very scary, the sooner cancer is detected, the better the prognosis. We can screen and diagnose oral cancer and provide treatment for it. So call us today, particularly if you notice the following symptoms:

• Thickened area or a lump in your mouth or tongue
• Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
• Pain in your ear
• A swollen jaw

Oral cancer treatment

Oral surgeons can play a significant role in the treatment of oral cancer, but other types of healthcare providers are also important. Those who have been diagnosed with oral cancer may interact with oncologists, physicians, and radiation and chemotherapy providers. Although this can be scary, the prognosis is best when oral cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, so don’t delay in scheduling your screening.

Pre-orthodontic surgery

Sometimes, a patient will need surgery before the installation of braces so the teeth can become properly aligned. Pre-orthodontic surgery may also be needed to ensure that there’s enough room for the straightened teeth or to remove impacted teeth; both orthognathic and orthodontic jaw surgery are types of oral surgery. Sometimes, the oral surgeon will recommend that the patient wear braces for several months prior to the surgery. The type of surgery you’ll have depends on your unique circumstances. If you have questions, call our Hudson Valley office and we’ll gladly answer them.

Pre-prosthetic surgery

This type of surgery is often recommended as a prior to getting fitted for dentures. It ensures that the teeth prosthetics (dentures), will fit correctly and be comfortable. Pre-prosthetic surgery may include extractions, bone grafts, gum grafts or removing bone bumps, called tori, to ensure that the prosthetic dentures will fit. In rare cases, the presence of serious disease or injury may necessitate a prosthetic jaw and the corresponding prosthetic surgery.

TMJ and TMD treatment

TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, which is the small joint that hinges your lower jaw to your skull, and enables you to open and close your mouth. TMD (temporomandibular disorder) is very common and many dental practices have dentists who are dedicated to treating it.

TMD can cause a variety of problems, such as:

• A clicking sound when you open and close your mouth
• Chronic earaches
• Chronic headaches
• Inability to open and close your jaw
• Pain in your jaw

TMJ disorders and TMD treatments are available as both surgical and non-surgical options, so if you’re suffering from one of these, call our office and let us alleviate your pain. Some of the non-surgical options include medications, physical therapy, and certain lifestyle changes. Since bruxism is a common cause of TMJ problems, part of your treatment may address your bruxism, which is grinding your teeth at night. TMJ and TMD are often erroneously referred to as lockjaw. Lockjaw is a disease caused by tetanus, which can be fatal if not properly treated promptly by a physician.

How Do I Schedule a Consultation with an Oral Surgeon?

The surgical procedure you need will depend on your issues, so the oral surgeon will consult with you to determine the best course of treatment for your situation. Often, several non-surgical options are tried before we suggest oral maxillofacial surgery. If you’re still asking, “Where can I find experts in dental surgery near me?”, then let us help you. We strive to maintain our reputation for providing excellent oral surgery in Hudson Valley, and we’ll ensure that you’re comfortable throughout your procedures, whether they’re surgical or non-surgical. If surgery is required, we’ll provide you with clear, easy-to-follow instructions and we’ll gladly answer all your questions. Call our office today and let us help you regain good oral health.