Oral Surgery in Thousand Oaks, California

Oral surgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the surgical treatment of the mouth, jaw, and related structures. A general dentist or oral surgeon will diagnose problems and refer you to a specialist if they're beyond their level of expertise.

Many surgeries require oral surgery, such as cyst removal, broken teeth repair, impacted wisdom teeth removal, and other general oral health problems.

This article will describe these procedures in detail so you understand what they involve and whether you need to see an oral surgeon.

Dental Cyst Removal

A dental cyst is a fluid-filled sac in your teeth or gums. Most cysts don’t cause pain but may become infected if bacteria enter.

Cysts near the gum line may grow into the surrounding tissue and become dental lumps or bumps called granulomas. Cysts that develop in the jawbone or gums can be complicated to treat.

A cyst in your jaw can affect your ability to open your mouth properly, and gum cysts can make your teeth appear crooked. An oral surgeon can use a scalpel to open the cyst and drain it. They may also need to remove any damaged tissue and stitch the cyst shut to prevent it from returning.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth (also known as third molars) are the last to come in naturally. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. However, some people have problems accessing their wisdom teeth since the jaw may not have enough room to grow correctly, or other teeth may block the growing molars.

When a person has impacted wisdom teeth, they must get them removed to prevent infection and other complications. An oral surgeon will likely remove your impacted wisdom teeth with utmost care.

They may need to cut into the gum and bone surrounding the tooth, clean out any infection present, and stitch up the gum. Sometimes, they may need to remove more tissue than they can easily sew up. In these situations, they may use a piece of bone, called a graft, to rebuild the area.

Digital X-Ray and Oral Surgery

Oral surgeons often use a digital x-ray machine to determine the location of impacted wisdom teeth. They may also use x-rays to find cysts, tumors, and other abnormal growths inside your mouth. If they find a problem, they may recommend surgery.

Most oral surgery procedures are done under local anesthesia, which means you’ll be awake during the surgery but won’t feel any pain. Your surgeon will likely give you antibiotics before and after your surgery, and you’ll have to take them for a few days to prevent infection.

You’ll also need to avoid smoking, eating foods that may get caught in your stitches, and rinsing with mouthwash to help your wounds heal.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are small fixtures that are placed into the jawbone. They are great for replacing missing teeth or a broken crown or denture. They are an excellent option for people who want to maintain a healthy, natural-looking smile.

The oral surgeon will make a small cut in the gum and place the implant into the jawbone. After a few months of healing, they will attach a fake tooth to the implant. Implants are more expensive than dentures and take more time, but they’re worth the wait to get a more natural-looking solution.

Bone Grafting and Reconstruction

Oral surgeons can sometimes use bone grafts to help their patients heal. A bone graft is a procedure where a surgeon takes a piece of bone from one part of the body, such as the hip, and puts it in another part of the body, such as the jaw.

A surgeon may use a bone graft to replace a missing jawbone or repair a jaw fracture. Bone grafts are often used in complex oral surgery, like reconstructive surgery, after removing cancerous tissue or correcting a cleft lip.

Even simple dental procedures may require a bone graft, like when a dentist removes a wisdom tooth and scars form in the jawbone. The surgeon can use a graft to help the area heal and prevent the formation of cysts and abnormal tissue growths.

Sinus lift

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure to raise the position of a patient’s teeth in the jaw. It can be used to treat gum disease or to straighten teeth that are not correctly aligned. The procedure raises the gums above the teeth. It is usually done along with other procedures, like pulling a tooth.

The surgeon will make an incision in the roof of the patient’s mouth and lift the gums to expose the top of the sinuses. Once this is done, the surgeon can reach the teeth' roots through the sinuses and remove the diseased gum tissue.

After this, the doctor will close the incision and suture the tissue together to keep it in place.

Lombard Dental Studio’s Dental Commitment To Patients

We are committed to providing high-quality service to every patient who walks through our doors. That is why our office offers dental services, especially oral surgery.

Our high skilled and trained team of dental professionals have been providing this service for more than a decade now. We understand that choosing between preventive, restorative, apicoectomy, oral surgery, sedation, sleep apnea treatment, orthodontic, or cosmetic dentistry procedure for yourself can be extremely difficult and overwhelming at the same time.

There are many things to consider, including the procedure type, cost, treatment duration, and recovery time. To help you get started on this incredible journey of beautiful smiles, we have compiled some information regarding the dental cleanings and exams we offer at Lombard Dental Studio in Thousand Oaks, California.