Oral surgery in Bradenton

Oral surgeons perform a broad range of dental surgeries procedures on the mouth, jaw, and lower face. Oral surgeries fall into several categories. There is oral and maxillofacial surgery, which covers surgeries to the oral cavity and face, and orthognathic surgery, which includes jaw surgeries to correct jaw misalignments. Many people lump them together, calling them dental surgeries.

Wisdom teeth are four molars that erupt in the very back of the mouth when a person is a teenager or a young adult. Originally, our ancestors developed wisdom teeth so they could chew their raw diet easily. Today, we don't need wisdom teeth, and we have smaller jaws now that often cannot accommodate them. Wisdom teeth removal is necessary if:

1. The teeth have no room to emerge from the gum and remain trapped.
2. The wisdom teeth don't have enough room and only partially emerge.
3. Wisdom teeth grow in at an angle and press against the adjacent molars.

Our oral surgeon has sedation options to make you comfortable during the procedure, especially if you need all four wisdom teeth removed. Your cost for wisdom teeth extraction will depend on how many teeth you need removed and the type of sedation you'll need. If you call us to arrange a consultation, you can learn more.

Pre-orthodontic surgery can include teeth extractions. When an oral surgeon removes teeth, it can leave room for braces to straighten the remaining teeth if crowding is an issue. Pre-orthodontic surgery can also include jaw surgery in certain cases.

Before getting restorations, like dental implants or dentures, you may need pre-prosthetic surgery. This can include a bone graft to enable the jawbone to hold an implant or surgery to remove excess gum tissue to allow a restoration more crown surface to adhere to.

Dental implants replace missing teeth. The implant is a screw or post that is inserted in the bone to act as a tooth root. It has a top, called an abutment, that holds a crown or a denture. Oral surgeons have extensive training and experience in placing implants from their dental surgery residency. Your dental implant cost depends on the number of implants you need and the material they are made from.

Oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, is any cancer affecting your mouth or lips. Common symptoms include sores that don't heal or white or reddish patches in the mouth. If a dental professional does not catch it, oral cancer can spread. Diagnosis starts with a simple biopsy, read by a pathology lab. Early detection is essential to easier treatment or a possible cure.

Oral cancer treatment varies widely depending on where the cancer is and what stage the cancer is in. Usually, a team is involved with an oral surgeon on hand for oral maxillofacial surgery if needed. Maxillofacial surgery may be necessary if the cancer caused severe disfigurement.

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint. It is a joint on each side of your face that allows your lower jaw to move. If there is a problem with one or both of the joints, called TMD, you may notice pain, difficulty chewing, and your jaw locking. This is not the same as lockjaw, though.

Dentists will try non-invasive treatments for a temporomandibular joint disorder. These treatments may include medications, mouth guards, and lifestyle changes. Jaw surgery is a last resort if more conservative treatments are not effective.