Dental TreatmentOral Surgery

Oral surgery is a domain of dentistry that encompasses all the dental procedures of surgical nature, ranging from simple tooth extraction to maxillofacial surgeries.

In other words, any procedure that requires to artificially alter the dentition by performing surgery for teeth, gums, or jawbones, i.e., the mandibles.
It requires advanced skills and training to be able to perform dental surgery, and hence not all dentists can perform it. At Conway House, we are fortunate enough to have dentist who can perform oral surgery.

Types Of Oral Surgeries

Oral surgeries are the procedures restricted to the inside of the buccal cavity and are classified under the following categories:

1. Endodontics- Any oral surgery involving the dental pulp, and the root of the tooth will fall under this speciality.
   Surgical procedures done under endodontics include :
   • Root canal treatment: It is the treatment of choice for removal of infection from a decayed tooth and restoration of its function. Processes involved in root canal treatment are-
     1. Pulpotomy- As the name indicates, pulpotomy is defined as the process of making an opening in the dental pulp chamber to let the pus and exudates drain. It is usually done as a pre-treatment to root canal, to make the tooth dry.
     2. Pulpectomy- This is done by making an opening and removing the contents of the pulp chamber manually.
   • Apicoectomy: It is the resection of the end of the root of the tooth. This is done when the root canal alone does not suffice to remove the disease. In this case, the root end is entered via gingiva, and the disease is removed from there.
2.  Prosthodontics- Dental prosthetics are the equipment or implants used either for cosmetic alteration or restorative function of the tooth. Dental prosthetics include:
   • Crowns: It is an artificial covering made up of materials such as ceramic, porcelain, or metal. They are placed over the molars and premolars commonly to accommodate and shape the restorative material. It is also used as a protective barrier to prevent any further damage to the teeth.
   • Veneers: These are also artificial coverings like crowns, but they are placed only on the front surface of the tooth.
   • Bridge: A bridge is the interconnection between two crowns and serves the purpose of compensating for the gap created due to missing teeth.
   • Implant: It is a surgical procedure that involves the placement of a prosthesis or implant in either the mandible or the maxilla, followed by the attachment of an artificial tooth 4-6 months later to the implant.
   • Dentures: These are commonly referred to as false teeth and maybe a partial or complete set. A partial set is attached to the adjacent tooth by metallic or plastic grasps. In contrast, a complete set is placed by the support of the gingival/palatal surface and fixed by a strong, biocompatible adhesive.
3. Orthodontics- It involves the correction of malpositioned teeth or jaws. It consists of the placement of implants and implant-supported prosthesis.
4. Apicoectomy- It is a procedure that involves the removal of underlying bony structures. The following must be done as a part of apicoectomy:
5. Exodontics- This is commonly and popularly known as tooth extraction or dental extraction. It involves the removal of a tooth from its socket or the alveolus.
6. Oral and maxillofacial surgery- It involves the surgery of face, mouth, and jaws.

The most commonly and feasibly performed dental surgery is tooth extraction. 

What Is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is the process of removal of a tooth from its dental socket or alveolus in the maxilla.

When Do You Require A Dental Extraction?

– Extractions are done for multiple reasons such as extreme tooth decay, dental trauma, or any disease surrounding the teeth.

– It is done to relieve the patient from the excruciating pain that occurs either due to infection to the dental pulp as in dental trauma or injury to the nerves leading to increased pain and sensitivity.

– Another major cause leading to dental extraction is an impacted wisdom tooth leading to recurrent infections of the gum called pericoronitis.

– In Orthodontic treatment, tooth extraction may be required to make sufficient space for straightening of the crooked teeth.

How Is Tooth Extraction Performed?

Dental extractions can be surgical or non-surgical. Here you will get a brief insight into how tooth extraction is performed.

• Preoperative Workup- A detailed history is taken to know the general condition and the chronology of the development of the disease.
  Our dentist will perform a few special investigations such as radiograph studies and clinical assessments to manage the further course of treatment.
• Administration of Local Anaesthesia- With the advent of local anaesthesia, the ease of performing any surgery has become unsurpassable. Any surgery can now be performed painlessly. Anaesthesia is thus a boon to the surgeons and the patients as well.
  The commonly used local anaesthetics include – lignocaine and articaine.
• Extraction of the Tooth- The main step in the process of dental extraction is the actual removal of the tooth. It is achieved with the help of different shapes and sizes of forceps. Dental elevators are used sometimes to aid the process of removal by elevating the sockets.
• Achievement of Haemostasis- The regulation of the outflow of blood after the procedure has a significant role to play in any surgery. In dental surgeries, it is achieved by pressing a sterile piece of gauze over the socket of the extracted tooth. If the source of bleeding is from soft tissue like gingiva or mucosa, suturing may be required to attain haemostasis.
• Postoperative Care- Adequate care must be taken of the mouth to prevent any secondary infection after extraction.
  The patient must follow the instructions that our dentist will provide in the postoperative period.
  • Avoid any strenuous exercise or excessive movements of the mouth in general.
  • Avoid the use of any tannin-containing material and do regular mouthwash with warm normal saline or povidone-iodine solution.
  • Try to avoid rinsing for the initial 24 hours after the surgery.

It is advisable always to seek the advice of an expert dentist if you are facing any dental trouble.

We at Conway house are a team of highly professional and skilled dentists in High Wycombe. We will provide you with a comfortable atmosphere and high-class quality services. If you need a dental extraction, we will make sure to do it under strict conditions and with the use of correct and sterile equipment.

For regular oral assessment, you should pay us a visit in High Wycombe and allow us to serve you with our best.