When you first hear the word “surgery” or “surgeon” you are excused if the first thing that comes to mind is a hospital operating room along with anesthesia and days of painful recovery. You may be pleasantly surprised to know that oral surgeons in Wilmington NC do none of that.
Actually, there are numerous dental procedures that are considered to be surgical in nature, a few common examples are:
1. Removal of an impacted wisdom tooth
2. Teeth which are beyond saving, perhaps from excessive decay or trauma
3. Correction of TMJ, and
4. Obstructive sleep apnea
Another common procedure carried out by oral surgeons in Wilmington NC is dental implants. The placing of the implant often depends on the surgeon as well as the type of implant used. The implant, which is a titanium screw is inset directly into the jaw bone, once it “marries” with the bone a crown can be set on top, they are also used to stabilize dentures and bridges.
Corrective jaw surgery:
Oral surgeons are called for when it is necessary to perform surgery on the jaw. One of the most common jaw disorders that can be corrected is TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder.) This happens when the hinge that connects the upper jaw to the lower jaw is misaligned or not working as it should. This joint is perhaps the most complex of all the joints in the body, it allows the jaw to open and close as well as move sideways and back and forth.
TMJ is recognizable; the patient will suffer from headaches, earaches as well as a feeling of pressure behind the eyes. Not only that, when the mouth is opened and closed it is accompanied by a definitive clicking noise. There is no one cure for TMJ but oral surgeons know how to deal with it.
