Dental surgery, also called dentistry, is any of several medical procedures which involve surgically modifying dental structure; that is, the jaw, gums and teeth. The most common type of dental surgery done to correct several types of dental defects or to help aid oral health is pediatric dental surgery. Pediatric dental surgery deals specifically with kids’ dental problems and concerns.
One such example of this specialized field is pediatric dental surgery that addresses the needs of children who have suffered a broken or damaged tooth or several teeth. Since dental implants require the temporary removal of healthy teeth to be replaced by prosthetic teeth, it can be risky for kids who cannot readily reach the top of the mouth to chew their food properly. Also, missing a single tooth makes it difficult for kids to learn to speak, swallow and do other oral functions. For these reasons, dental implants require a great deal of trust from the child’s caregivers.
Before a dental surgery can be conducted, it requires the involvement of several healthcare providers including the dentist, an oral surgeon, and a periodontist. A consultation session will be held between these professionals to discuss the patient’s case and check whether a surgical procedure is suitable. After the consultation, the dentist will prepare the patient by x-raying and giving him/her anesthesia. Next, an oral surgeon will remove a portion of the tooth or teeth to be replaced using the appropriate dental implant. Afterwards, the remaining portion will be sealed using dental implants.
Dental implants can restore a great deal of function to the mouth. Children who undergo this procedure are able to chew their food properly, smile broadly and speak normally. Although many people believe that this procedure takes long to heal, studies show that patients can go back to work and even school within a few days after the operation. With this procedure, patients can lead normal lives without having to fear that they might need another operation in the future.
As previously mentioned, tooth extraction is the most common surgery performed by dentists today. When this process is necessary, it involves the removal of teeth or gum tissues. The gums will be closed using a titanium frame to stop bleeding. A feeding tube will then be inserted to replace the lost tooth. Patients who have suffered trauma are also given an anesthetic to help them recover easier.
In addition to the aforementioned procedures, many dentists also perform cosmetic procedures like dental implants and teeth whitening. There are many oral surgeons who specialize in treating patients who suffer from severe diseases like diabetes and heart disease. These kinds of diseases can affect a patient’s oral health and therefore need to be addressed accordingly.