Oral Surgery

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery refers to various outpatient procedures that correct problems with your teeth, gums, or jaw. There are many types of oral surgery, but all are used to protect your smile and oral health. 

At Brooklyn City Dental, the team has years of experience performing oral surgery. To ensure your comfort, they offer various anesthetics as well as special tools and advanced treatment techniques.

What are the types of oral surgery?

The team at Brooklyn City Dental offers many types of oral surgery, including:

Extractions

An extraction removes a severely damaged or decaying permanent tooth. You might also benefit from extractions if you’re getting dentures or dental implants or you’re preparing to undergo orthodontic treatment. 

There are simple and surgical extractions. The type that will benefit you depends on the position and condition of the affected tooth (or teeth).

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is a type of oral surgery that prepares one (or several) teeth to receive a dental restoration like a crown or bridge. During prosthodontic treatment, your surgeon carefully shaves enamel from the top and sides of your tooth, allowing the restoration to fit perfectly.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats more complex issues like a broken or malpositioned jaw. Other procedures that fall into this category include bone grafts, nerve repositioning, and dental alveolar surgery.

Periodontal surgery

Mild cases of gum disease usually respond to conservative treatments like scaling and root planing or antibiotic therapy. If the infection persists or threatens the integrity of your teeth, the team might recommend periodontal surgery, like pocket reduction or a soft tissue graft.

How do I prepare for oral surgery?

Before recommending oral surgery, the team at Brooklyn City Dental conducts an oral exam and reviews your dental health history. 

During your appointment, let them know about any prescription medications or vitamins that you regularly take. In addition, alert them if you have an underlying health problem like diabetes or high blood pressure. It’s important that these conditions are stable before you receive treatment.

Afterward, the team takes a series of oral X-rays to assess your teeth and jaw. They use these images to develop a surgical treatment plan that aligns with your needs.

What is recovery like following oral surgery?

Following oral surgery, the team at Brooklyn City Dental writes a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication and sends you home with a list of recovery instructions. 

For the first 24-48 hours, get plenty of rest and eat soft foods. To speed up the recovery process, take each medication as prescribed and attend your follow-up consultations. 

The length of your recovery depends on the type of surgery performed, but most people return to work and other normal activities within a few days or a week.

To see if you’re a candidate for oral surgery, request a consultation at Brooklyn City Dental. Call the nearest office to speak with a member of the administrative team or book online.