You’re sitting in your dentist’s chair in Houston, and they just told you that you need oral surgery. Your mind starts racing. What does that even mean? How common is this?
Here’s something that might help you relax: oral surgery is way more common than you think. According to the Oral Surgery and Implants Market Overview, the oral surgery market was estimated to be $18 billion, and expected to grow over years. The reasons behind it are the aging population, increased edentulism, and higher implant demand.
The below are the five most common types of oral surgery in Houston and across the nation.
1. Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal is the most common oral surgery, not just in Houston but pretty much everywhere. Most people get their wisdom teeth out between ages 17 and 25.
Your wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that try to come in at the back of your mouth. Problem is, most people don’t have enough room for them. They get stuck, come in sideways, or push against other teeth.
A dental surgeon will numb the area or put you under light sedation. They remove the teeth and stitch up the area. You’ll need a few days to recover, and yes, you’ll be eating a lot of ice cream and soup.
2. Tooth Extractions
Sometimes a tooth is too damaged to save. Maybe you had a bad cavity that went too deep. Maybe you cracked a tooth and it can’t be repaired. Maybe gum disease destroyed the bone around the tooth.
Whatever the reason, the tooth needs to come out. Your local regular dentists can handle simple extractions, but complicated cases go to an oral surgeon.
The surgeon numbs your mouth, loosens the tooth, and removes it. For teeth that broke off at the gum line or have curved roots, they might need to make a small cut in your gum to get better access.
After a tooth extraction, you’ll bite down on gauze for a while to stop the bleeding. The area heals in about a week or two.
3. Dental Implants
Dental implants have become super popular over the last ten years. When you lose a tooth, an implant gives you the closest thing to getting your natural tooth back.
An oral surgeon places a titanium post into your jawbone where the tooth used to be. This post acts like an artificial tooth root. After a few months, the bone grows around the post and holds it tight. Then your regular dentist attaches a crown on top.
The surgery itself is less scary than it sounds. The surgeon numbs the area completely. You might feel pressure but not pain. Most people say the recovery is easier than they expected.
Houston dentists and oral surgeons work together on implant cases. The surgeon handles the surgical part, and your dentist creates the final crown that looks just like a real tooth.
Biopsy of a Lesion
Sometimes your dentist spots something unusual in your mouth. A weird bump, a sore that won’t heal, or a patch of tissue that looks different from everything around it.
They’ll send you to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. The surgeon removes a small piece of the tissue and sends it to a lab. The lab checks if the cells are normal or if something needs treatment.
This procedure takes just a few minutes. The surgeon numbs the area, takes the sample, and usually puts in one or two stitches. You get results in about a week.
Most biopsies come back showing nothing serious. But catching problems early makes a huge difference in treatment success. Houston oral surgeons do these biopsies regularly to keep patients safe.
Dental Bone Grafting
Your jawbone needs to be strong and thick to support teeth or dental implants. Sometimes the bone gets thin from gum disease, tooth loss, or injury.
A dental surgeon can add bone material to rebuild the area. They might use bone from another part of your body, donated bone, or synthetic bone material. The surgeon places this material where you need more bone, and over time, your body incorporates it and grows new bone.
Bone grafting often happens before dental implant surgery. If your bone is too thin, the implant won’t have enough support. The graft builds up the area so the implant can succeed.
Recovery depends on how big the graft is. Small grafts heal in a few weeks. Larger ones might take a few months before you’re ready for the next step.
Find the Right Oral Surgeon in Houston
Houston has many skilled oral surgeons who perform these procedures every day. Look for an oral surgeon in Houston who explains things clearly and answers all your questions. You want someone who makes you feel comfortable and doesn’t rush through your appointment.
Check that the surgeon is board certified and has good reviews from other patients for oral surgery in Houston. Most oral surgery offices in Houston will work with your insurance and help you understand costs before you commit to anything.
The Bottom Line
Oral surgeries help you avoid bigger problems down the road. A tooth that needs to come out won’t get better on its own. A suspicious lesion needs checking. Bone loss will only continue without treatment.
Yes, oral surgery sounds intimidating. But thousands of Houstonians go through these dental procedures every year and come out fine. The technology keeps getting better, and oral surgeons know exactly what they’re doing.
If your dentist recommends oral surgery in Houston, ask questions that come to your mind and get clear answers. Then, trust the process. You’ll get through it just fine.
FAQs
How long does recovery take after oral surgery?
Simple extractions heal in 3-5 days. Wisdom teeth take about a week. Dental implants need several months for the bone to integrate, but daily activities resume in a few days.
Does oral surgery hurt?
The surgeon numbs the area completely, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, you’ll have some soreness that pain medication can manage easily.
Do I need to see a specialist or can my regular dentist do it?
Regular dentists handle simple extractions. Complex cases, implants, bone grafts, and wisdom teeth typically go to an oral surgeon who has specialized training in these procedures.