Mantua Oral Surgery

There are a variety of reasons why a patient will find themselves in need of oral surgery. They could have suffered a massive injury to their mouth that caused severe damage to their teeth or jaw. They could also be facing a debilitating disease that has caused a deformity in the mouth. Or they could be suffering from a respiratory problem such as sleep apnea.

Regardless of the reason, the hospitable and well-trained oral surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons will help patients through the procedure from beginning to end. They can handle multiple types of surgeries and work with patients to ensure that the entire process goes as smoothly as possible.

What is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery refers to any surgery that takes place around the mouth or in the jaw. There are different types of oral surgeries that involve surgical procedures including tooth removal, while there are those that involve the repositioning of the jaw. The surgery does not always involve fixing a tooth, as an oral surgeon can also assist in the removal of a tumor.

A patient may realize that they need oral surgery when they start to experience pain in their mouth. This is usually associated with other problems in the jaw or gumline. A typical condition associated with mouth pain is an impacted wisdom tooth. This is a basic procedure for an oral surgeon.

On meeting with an oral surgeon, the doctor will diagnose the problem and determine the best course of action. If it is decided that surgery is the path forward, the surgeon will schedule that immediately. However, the doctor will discuss with the patient if there are any non-surgical options and the benefits and risks of those options. The surgeon will also discuss the recovery from these treatments and their impact.

What Procedures Do Oral Surgeons Perform?

Oral surgeons can perform different kinds of dental specialties. The types of oral surgeries performed include the following procedures:

Dental implants: It can be difficult to feel confidence when a person cannot show off a smile with all their teeth. A perfect smile makes people feel better about themselves. Implants can help restore that smile and bring the patient’s confidence to the level it should be.

Wisdom teeth extraction: Impacted wisdom teeth can be more trouble than a patient may initially realize. They can have a significant impact on a person’s mouth, including infection resulting in severe pain. By extracting the troublesome tooth, it will eliminate the pain and stop any damage to the gum and jawline.

Orthognathic surgery: This surgery will repair any irregularities with the face or jaw. The benefits of this include improving a person’s ability to chew, speak, and breathe. In many cases, an enhanced appearance can also result.

Craniofacial implants: When an individual is involved in a major accident, they can experience facial injuries. Patients can also suffer such injures because of the treatment of a malignant disease or other issue. This surgery will restore a person’s appearance, and with modern technology it will be indistinguishable from a person’s natural face.

TMJ surgery: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the body’s most complex joints, and when healthy it allows a person to eat, talk, and swallow without pain. When diseased, it can cause severe pain and massive problems. Surgery can help repair any damage to alleviate a significant amount of pain.

Sleep apnea surgery: This dangerous respiratory condition impacts many people around the United States. Although sleep apnea can cause distress for a person’s partner because of excessive snoring, it is really a dangerous condition because it causes the patient to stop breathing at night. Surgery can help alleviate the problem. A surgeon will open the airways to allow patients to breathe easier at night and have a more restful and quiet sleep.

When a patient encounters a tooth or jaw problem that exceeds the expertise of a general dentist, that is when an oral surgeon should be seen. They will use their background to help fix the problem as quickly as possible.

What Do I Need to Know to Prepare for Oral Surgery?

Prior to surgery, the surgeon will provide a detailed list of steps to take in the hours and days leading up to surgery. Although each surgery is unique and therefore the preparations will be specific to the actual surgery, there are a few general guidelines that most patients can expect to occur.

In many cases, oral surgery will require a certain amount of anesthesia or intravenous sedation. These will allow the patient to sleep or be comfortable during the surgery and not feel any pain. However, given the power of these drugs, a patient must take certain steps ahead of time. Those steps include:

• The patient may not have anything to eat or drink, including water, for eight hours prior to surgery.
• They are not allowed to smoke for 12 hours before surgery, even though it is a good idea to quit smoking altogether.
• The patient will not be permitted or able to drive after surgery; therefore, they should have a responsible adult accompany them to the surgery center, remain there, and drive them home.
• A patient should refrain from operating a vehicle or heavy machinery for 24 hours after surgery.
• The person should wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow. For their feet, they should wear low-heeled shoes with a closed toe.
• A patient will have to remove their contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures prior to surgery.
• In addition, they should refrain from wearing makeup on the day of the surgery, including lipstick and nail polish.
• On the day of the surgery, if the patient learns that they have an illness, even something as minor as a cold, they should notify the office as quickly as possible.
• For those taking routine oral medications, the patient should reach out to the prescribing physician, primary care physician, or check with the surgeon prior to the surgery for additional instructions.

For those who have any questions on what they should or should not be doing prior to surgery, it is best to reach out to the office before the procedure.

Mantua Oral Surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Treat a Variety of Conditions Involving the Mouth and Jaw

If you are suffering from a dental emergency or have another problem with your teeth or jaws, you might require oral surgery to correct the problem. The friendly and knowledgeable Mantua oral surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons can diagnose your problem and issue a proper treatment plan. Call us at 856-582-4222 or contact us online to make an appointment or schedule a free consultation. With offices in Washington Township, Haddonfield, and Woolwich Township, New Jersey, we are dedicated to helping patients throughout South Jersey.