Routine visits to your family dentist are fine for exams and cleanings. But what about more serious, complex issues affecting your oral health? That’s where the advanced training and specialized skills of the oral surgeon at Harmony Dental Implants & Oral Surgery come into play. We diagnose and treat a wide array of conditions for our patients, no matter their age.
Here are some of the most common reasons patients come to us to relieve their pain and restore their oral health:
- Wisdom teeth that have become impacted (partially emerged), along with severely broken teeth, are among the complex extractions that oral surgeons are best equipped to handle.
- Reconstructive surgery to restore function and appearance following facial injuries from accidents or sporting events.
- Jawbone irregularities or misalignments that can be corrected through oral surgery to ensure proper function and aesthetics.
- The placement and integration of dental implants, which provide a natural-looking, long-term solution for missing teeth.
- Diagnosing and treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders that cause pain and dysfunction.
- Repairing complex birth defects like a cleft lip or palate.
- Improving airflow and alleviating sleep apnea symptoms in some cases.
- Diagnosing and treating oral diseases, such as taking biopsies of suspicious lesions or growths.
- Addressing jawbone deficiencies through bone grafting procedures to create a strong foundation for dental implants.
- Maximizing patient comfort during procedures by offering advanced anesthesia options, including IV sedation and general anesthesia.
The oral surgeon at Harmony Dental Implants & Oral Surgery has undergone extensive training beyond standard dental school, including a residency program focused on surgery of the mouth, face, jaw and neck. We have the most advanced techniques and equipment for providing complex surgical procedures comfortably and effectively for long-term results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seeing an Oral Surgeon
What are the signs that I should see an oral surgeon instead of my general dentist?
If you’re dealing with an impacted wisdom tooth, a severely broken tooth, jaw pain from a TMJ disorder, or you’re missing teeth and considering dental implants, these are all conditions that go beyond routine dental care and fall within an oral surgeon’s specialized training. Your general dentist can also refer you if imaging reveals a cyst, tumor, or other abnormality that needs surgical evaluation.
What happens if an impacted wisdom tooth is left untreated?
An impacted wisdom tooth that never fully emerges can lead to infection, crowding of nearby teeth, cyst formation, and damage to the roots or bone around it. Because these extractions are more involved than a routine tooth removal, an oral surgeon has the training and equipment to remove them safely and reduce the risk of complications.
Can an oral surgeon treat TMJ (jaw joint) pain?
Yes. Oral surgeons diagnose and treat temporomandibular joint disorders that cause jaw pain, clicking, or difficulty opening and closing the mouth comfortably. Depending on how severe the joint dysfunction is, treatment can range from conservative management to surgical correction.
What sedation or anesthesia options are available for oral surgery procedures?
Most oral surgery practices, ours included, offer a range of options to keep patients comfortable during treatment, from local anesthesia to IV sedation and general anesthesia. Which option makes sense for you depends on the procedure being performed and your medical history, and it’s something we go over during your consultation.
Do I need a referral from my dentist before scheduling an oral surgery consultation?
Many patients come to us on their dentist’s recommendation after an exam or imaging turns up something like impacted wisdom teeth, a jawbone irregularity, or a suspicious lesion. That said, a referral isn’t required — you’re welcome to schedule a consultation directly if you’re experiencing pain or symptoms you’d like evaluated.
Our experience and expertise have earned us the trust of patients throughout the area. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about a condition affecting your health and well-being. Please contact us today to arrange a consultation.