Dentists often refer their patients to a specialist if they have certain tooth or jaw problems. An oral surgeon provides treatment options for complex dental issues that a dentist doesn’t offer. Read the information below to learn about three specialties of an Oral Surgeon in Summit, NJ.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Individuals usually begin having problems with their wisdom teeth around 18 years of age. These four teeth often cause pain as they erupt in the back corners of the mouth. The treatment for wisdom tooth pain is to have them removed by an oral surgeon.
Even if individuals don’t have pain as these teeth erupt, it’s still often necessary for an Oral Surgeon in Summit, NJ to remove them. An infection may occur and these teeth can press against the other teeth, which causes alignment and bite problems.
Dental Implant Procedure
Individuals who want permanent replacements for missing teeth can visit an oral surgery center for dental implants. A surgeon cuts the gumline, drills into the jawbone and places implants into each drilled space. Once the bone grows around the implants, which can take up to six months, a dentist completes the process by securing a crown onto each implant.
Many individuals get dental implants instead of false teeth because dentures are often uncomfortable. People who have only one missing tooth may also get a dental implant to fill in the space. Implants look and function the same as a person’s natural teeth, and this is one reason why they’re so popular.
TMJ Disorder Treatment
An oral surgeon may also treat individuals who have a temporomandibular joint disorder. Individuals who have this disorder often experience symptoms such as jaw pain, problems opening their jaw and pain while chewing.
An oral surgeon will examine the jaw and reach a diagnosis with the help of imaging equipment. Treatment options include jaw exercises, prescription medications and dental appliances that prevent individuals from clenching their jaw.
Tooth and jaw issues can cause problems for individuals of any age. Prompt treatment is often necessary to prevent further difficulties. Westfield Oral Surgery provides various services including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and TMJ treatments.