There are various conditions that may require oral surgery. While no one likes to the idea of undergoing surgery, your oral surgeon is ready to share certain facts that will make sure that you are adequately prepare for your upcoming surgical procedure. 

McLain Surgical Arts, led by Dr. Landon D. McLain, provides oral surgery procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Different Types of Oral Surgery

Some of the most common types of oral surgeries and what patients can expect when they come into the surgeon’s office are as follows:

 

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The last teeth to develop are the third molars. At times, these teeth may erupt without causing any problems to the patient. But more often than not, wisdom teeth either do not completely erupt or are not properly aligned. This leads to them becoming impacted between the gums and the jawbone, which also has an effect on the health of the adjacent teeth. 

 

Tooth Extractions 

A person may need a tooth or teeth extraction for a variety of reasons. Besides an impacted wisdom tooth, they may have a diseased tooth that cannot be restored or overcrowded teeth that need to be taken out to create more room for proper alignment during orthodontics.

 

Dental Implants

For patients seeking a replacement for a missing tooth, the dentist will surgically implant a metal post into the jawbone. 

This post will fuse with the gum tissue and bone over a period to create a strong foundation on which to mount a realistic-looking crown (artificial tooth). Dental implants are an excellent option for people with missing teeth who are seeking a long-term treatment solution. 

 

Biopsies

In case a patient has a lesion in their mouth that appears suspicious, the dental surgeon will undertake a biopsy to check for oral cancer. They will excise a small fragment of tissue and then send it to the laboratory for analysis. 

 

Jaw Surgery

Patients with jaws that are aligned improperly may experience issues with both appearance and functionality. Surgery is usually required to address this issue and restore function. 

 

Sleep Apnea

In case other conservative treatments are ineffective for people with serious sleep apnea, the dental surgeon can eliminate excess tissue from the back of the throat to greatly reduce symptoms. 

 

Cleft Lip/Palate 

These birth defects occur most commonly, affecting around one in 700 to 800 infants born in North America. Proper surgical treatment allows the child an excellent chance of leading a normal, healthy life. 

 

Reconstructive Surgery

Facial trauma and knocked-out teeth can make even the most mundane tasks a challenge, such as eating. These procedures replace damaged or missing teeth, address jawbone and gum damage, and correct jaw joint problems.

 

Pre-Surgery 

Prior to the surgery, the dentist will provide the patient with an outlined treatment plan as well as discuss the anesthesia options. The patient should unhesitatingly ask any questions that they may have about their surgery. Most procedures are performed using anesthesia to make sure that the patient does not experience any discomfort.

 

Post-Surgery

Similar to any surgery, there will be a recovery period. In case the patient is under general anesthesia, they will not be able to drive themselves back home after the surgery. They will want someone to pick them up as they will feel tired and groggy. The dentist may prescribe a painkiller to manage post-surgical pain.

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.