Oral Surgery in Bellevue, WA

Oral surgery is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the teeth, gums, jaw, and facial structures through surgical procedures. These surgeries range from routine tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal to more complex interventions like dental implant placement, jaw realignment (orthognathic surgery), and treatment of oral and facial trauma. Oral surgeons, highly trained dental professionals, perform these procedures to address issues that cannot be adequately resolved with non-surgical treatments.

Oral surgery aims to alleviate pain, restore function, improve oral health, and enhance facial aesthetics. It requires careful planning, precise surgical techniques, and post-operative care to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Types of Oral Surgeries

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions involve removing damaged, decayed, or impacted teeth. This procedure may be necessary to alleviate pain, prevent infection, or create space for orthodontic treatment. Simple extractions involve removing visible teeth, while surgical extractions are more complex and often require incisions into the gum tissue to access the tooth.

Benefits:

• Alleviate discomfort caused by severe decay, infection, or tooth trauma
• Remove the source of infection, reducing the risk of spreading to adjacent teeth or gums
• Create space for orthodontic treatment, facilitating proper alignment of teeth
• Address overcrowded conditions that can affect oral hygiene and dental alignment

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood and can cause problems like impaction, crowding, or infection due to inadequate jaw space. Our dentist in Bellevue, WA, performs wisdom teeth removal to alleviate discomfort, prevent damage to adjacent teeth, and reduce the risk of oral infections or cysts associated with impacted wisdom teeth.

Benefits:

• Addresses potential problems such as impaction, cysts, and damage to neighboring teeth
• Alleviates discomfort associated with impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth
• Reduces the risk of infections and makes oral hygiene practices more effective
• Eliminates pressure that wisdom teeth can exert, potentially disrupting the alignment of other teeth

Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. This procedure involves several stages, including the initial placement of the implant, integration with the jawbone (osseointegration), and attachment of an artificial tooth (crown). Dental implants offer a durable, natural-looking solution for tooth replacement and help preserve jawbone structure. Contact us today to learn more.

Benefits:

• Offer a long-term, durable alternative to missing teeth
• Enhance chewing ability, speech clarity, and overall oral function
• Stimulate jawbone growth and prevent bone loss that occurs with missing teeth
• Mimic the look and feel of natural teeth, improving facial aesthetics and self-confidence

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, also known as jaw surgery, corrects severe jaw misalignments (malocclusions) that cannot be corrected with orthodontic treatments alone. This procedure involves repositioning the upper, lower, or both jaws to improve bite function, facial symmetry, and oral health. Orthognathic surgery can address issues such as difficulty chewing, breathing problems, and TMJ disorders.

Benefits:

• Corrects overbites, underbites, or crossbites that affect chewing and speaking
• Restores facial balance and harmony, improving overall aesthetics
• Alleviates pain and discomfort associated with temporomandibular joint disorders
• Corrects structural issues that contribute to obstructive sleep apnea and breathing difficulties

Root Canal Surgery

Root canal surgery is performed when infection or inflammation persists in a tooth's root tip (apex) following a root canal procedure. Our dentist removes the infected tissue during an apicoectomy and seals the root canal to prevent further infection. This procedure aims to save the natural tooth and alleviate persistent symptoms such as pain or swelling.

Benefits:

• Preserves a tooth that would otherwise require extraction due to persistent infection
• Removes infected tissue and seals the root canal to prevent reinfection
• Alleviates persistent pain or discomfort associated with a root canal infection
• Prevents the spread of infection to adjacent teeth and gums

Treatment of Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma

Oral and maxillofacial trauma surgery involves treating injuries to the face, jaws, teeth, and soft tissues resulting from accidents, sports injuries, or physical assaults. Oral surgeons repair fractured facial bones, reposition displaced teeth, and restore facial aesthetics and function. Prompt treatment of facial trauma is crucial to prevent long-term complications and ensure optimal recovery.

Benefits:

• Repairs fractured facial bones and repositions displaced teeth to restore facial aesthetics
• Reduces the risk of complications such as infection and facial deformities
• Restores normal chewing, speaking, and facial movement capabilities affected by trauma

The Advantages of Oral Surgery

Comprehensive Treatment for Severe Dental Problems

Oral surgery in Bellevue, WA, provides effective treatment for advanced dental issues that cannot be resolved conservatively. Procedures such as tooth extractions are essential for removing severely decayed or damaged teeth that jeopardize oral health. This not only alleviates pain and discomfort but also prevents the spread of infection to neighboring teeth and gums. Root canal surgery is another vital procedure that saves infected teeth by removing diseased tissue from the root tip, preserving natural teeth, and preventing extraction.

Restoration of Oral Functionality and Aesthetics

Dental implants are a major advancement in oral surgery, offering a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. Implants mimic natural teeth in appearance and function, providing stability and durability unmatched by other tooth replacement options like dentures. By integrating with the jawbone, implants stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss when teeth are missing, thereby preserving facial structure and preventing premature aging due to facial collapse.

Correction of Jaw and Bite Abnormalities

Orthognathic surgery, commonly known as jaw surgery, corrects severe malocclusions (bite misalignments) that affect chewing, speaking, and facial symmetry. This procedure repositions the upper, lower, or both jaws to improve bite function, enhance facial aesthetics, and alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorders. Orthognathic surgery improves oral health and enhances overall quality of life by restoring proper jaw alignment and facial balance.

Long-Term Oral Health Benefits and Quality of Life Improvement

Beyond immediate relief and aesthetic enhancement, oral surgery offers long-term benefits that contribute to oral health and quality of life. By addressing underlying dental issues and trauma promptly, these procedures reduce the risk of future complications, such as infections and bone loss. Patients experience improved chewing ability, speech clarity, and confidence in their appearance, positively impacting self-esteem and social interactions.

Oral surgery is critical in treating complex dental conditions, restoring oral function, preserving facial aesthetics, and enhancing overall quality of life. Visit Bellevue Impressions Dentistry at 1811 156th Ave NE, Suite #1, Bellevue, WA 98007, or call (425) 746-8676 to schedule a consultation and discover how oral surgery can enhance your smile and quality of life.