Oral Surgeons: You'll be Happy They are Around

A dental implant is a titanium "screw" that is surgically placed into the jaw to replace a missing tooth/teeth. These can be placed by a general dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon. Dental implants take time to integrate and can take up to 12 months for completion.

Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually start to cause problems around 17. There are a number of reasons your dentist will recommend their extraction. Mostly, they just don't fit in your mouth or they are causing periodontal issues. Wisdom teeth can be removed by a general dentist or oral surgeon. I recommend to have them removed as soon as possible before roots have formed.

Disorders of the jaw, joint(s) and muscles are extremely complex. If general therapies and exercises aren't working, an oral surgeon will be able to provide further treatment options. They may be able to make you an oral appliance to help with pain and correct jaw disorders.

If your dentist notices any abnormalities on your radiographs or oral examination, he will most likely refer you to see an oral surgeon. I know the thought of cancer is terrifying. However, oral cancers, if caught early can be treated more successfully.

Excessive facial trauma can only be treated by an oral surgeon. In some cases, an oral maxillofacial surgeon may be required. It's best to see the specialists for any trauma to the face, mouth and surrounding areas.

Sleep apnea is a very serious disorder in which breathing can be irregular or even stop. It is vital you have any sleep apnea diagnosed and treated immediately. Your general physician, or dentist even, can refer you to a specialist for treatment options. Don't wait, this sleep disorder can be extremely dangerous.