The most complex oral surgery procedures are typically reserved for oral surgeons, but general dentists do perform simpler surgical treatments. It often comes down to how much additional training the general dentist has.
Wondering what some of the oral surgery treatments a general dentist can perform are? Here are three common ones.
General dentists often perform minor surgical procedures like the extraction of a tooth, including wisdom teeth. General dentists have the skills to perform simple extractions, but complex extractions like an impacted tooth are often referred to be performed by oral surgeons.
A dentist might recommend extracting a tooth for a variety of reasons. It might be due to an infection that threatens to spread to other parts of the body or a tooth being too damaged to be saved. Extraction is typically used as a last resort when there is no other way to save the tooth.
Some general dentists have the training to install implants. Implants are artificial teeth roots that are placed in the patient’s jaw. The implant replaces the root that comes out with a tooth when it falls out, and it helps to keep the bone tissues that secured the real tooth’s root healthy.
Implants are the closest thing to a real tooth when it comes to oral prosthetics. Implants are as stable as a real tooth’s roots and they feel and function like real teeth. Implants are a long-lasting solution that can last the rest of the patient’s lifetime. They do not require any special care. Good oral hygiene is all that is needed to keep them well maintained.
Root canals are the go-to way to treat infected teeth. A tooth infection is often the result of a decayed or damaged tooth being left untreated for too long. Tooth decay starts as a small cavity that expands until it compromises the pulp chamber. This leaves the nerves and blood vessels in the pulp chamber exposed to bacteria in the mouth. This will eventually lead to an infection when the tooth is left untreated for a while.
A root canal involves drilling a hole into the affected tooth and using special files to remove the blood vessels and nerve in the tooth. Patients are given a shot of a local anesthetic prior to the treatment so they do not feel pain as the dentist works.
Once the contents of the pulp chamber have been removed, the area is cleaned and disinfected. It is then sealed with a special material known as gutta-percha. Teeth that have been treated with a root canal are often covered with a crown to protect them from further damage.
Dealing with a dental issue that might require oral surgery? Our dentist can evaluate you and point you in the right direction. Call or visit our Saratoga Springs clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mysaratogadentist.com or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at (518) 675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.
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