Oral Surgery

This branch of dentistry uses surgery to treat a range of conditions that affect the mouth, jaws and surrounding areas. This treatment is performed by an oral surgeon.

Most of this treatment is carried out in hospitals, although there are oral surgeons working in community dental practices or specialist clinics. Your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon or you can self-refer.

REASONS FOR ORAL SURGERY

Accidents, injuries, diseases or congenital defects are the main reasons for oral surgery.

ORAL SURGERY PROCEDURES

Tooth extractions are commonly performed under a local anaesthetic. However, a general anaesthetic may be administered in cases where the patient is suffering from dental anxiety or their condition is serious enough to warrant it.

Other procedures include:

  • Corrective jaw surgery
  • Surgery to treat temporomandibular joint disorders(TMJD)
  • Facial trauma, e.g. fracture
  • Bone grafts
  • Sinus lift
  • Dental implants
  • Removal of osseous tissue samples
  • Cyst removal
  • Apicoectomy

Wisdom tooth extractions also fall into this category. This type of surgery is performed in cases of impacted wisdom teeth, in which the teeth have grown at an angle, causing pain and other symptoms. See aftercare.

Find out more in the impacted wisdom teeth section.