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Oral Surgery in Corpus Christi

The bones, skin, and muscles of the jaw, mouth, and face can be impacted by various aesthetic and functional issues that can further impact a person’s quality of life. These issues can also affect a person’s self-esteem and confidence. 

The dental specialists and oral surgeons at Lovett Dental have spent years perfecting their craft. Our maxillofacial and oral surgeons have dedicated an additional 4 years to gaining crucial surgical experience in accredited hospital residency programs. At the same time, our specialists have participated in otolaryngology, emergency medicine, plastic surgery, general surgery, internal medicine, and anesthesiology residency programs. 

We take each patient’s oral health seriously and, with our extensive experience in the oral surgery field, you will be in the hands of highly-qualified and experienced dental experts. 

Some examples of oral surgery in Corpus Christi include:

  • Dental Implants
  • Wisdom Teeth Removal
  • Bone Grafting
  • Impacted Tooth Extractions
  • Oral Pathology
  • Pre-prosthetic Surgery
  • Exposure-impacted Tooth
  • Diastemas and Tongue-Tie Treatment

Find out more about our specialist services here

Wisdom Teeth/Third Molars Extraction

Around 85% of the global population needs to have their wisdom teeth (or third/final molars as they’re otherwise called) removed, with millions of people opting for this procedure each year. This generally occurs between the ages of 17 and 25. It’s also worth noting that some people get 4 wisdom teeth while others get more or fewer than that. 

Since wisdom teeth are unpredictable and can cause other dental problems down the line, we recommend regular dental checkups. 

Why is Wisdom Teeth Removal Needed?

People often wonder why wisdom teeth need to be removed and what the best time to do that is. The truth is, every person is different and each person’s third molars grow differently. Some people never develop wisdom teeth problems and they either come in normally or don’t come in at all. 

Others may require surgery and removal if the third molars start impacting other teeth (e.g. pushing them out) or causing jaw issues (e.g. growing under a 90-degree angle beneath neighboring teeth). 

Here are the most common causes of wisdom teeth extraction:

  • There’s not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow. Angular development and crowding of the third molars occur when there’s not enough room. 
  • The molars are stuck together which can cause them to develop cysts, infections, and in rare occasions, even tumors on the gums and jawbone surrounding the afflicted teeth. 
  • Discomfort or pain in the back of the jaw and consistent bad breath are usually signs that your molars need examination (and surgery if they are the culprit behind the aforementioned symptoms). 

If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact us for a preliminary assessment and diagnosis. The sooner you get wisdom teeth surgery, the shorter your recovery time will be and it’ll be less likely that you’ll develop other symptoms due to your third molars. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal Process

While the primary methodology of wisdom teeth removal is the same for all patients, the specifics of the process ultimately depend on a couple of factors. For example, we plan your treatment by determining how many teeth need to be extracted, their development stage, position in the jaw, and whether or not they’re impacted

We will provide you with pre- and post-operative instructions to make the removal process as comfortable as possible. You will also be given anesthesia for oral surgery; our patients generally choose IV sedation to help them sleep through the surgery. 

Once the anesthesia kicks in, the surgeon will make an incision in your gums, clear & clean the afflicted area of any obstructions, and pull the wisdom teeth out. Once the teeth are taken out, the surgeon will stitch your gums back together. 

Be mindful that you may feel some discomfort and/or pain during the first few days after surgery so make sure to follow your post-op instructions carefully. 

Tooth Extraction

Lovett Dental also offers various tooth extraction services for situations where other treatments have failed (root canals, fillings, apicoectomies, etc.). Simply put, if a tooth is ‘too far gone’, it will have to be removed to preserve the health of your other teeth and gums. 

If you suspect that there’s an issue with your teeth (e.g. pain, discomfort, etc.), schedule a dental appointment with us and we’ll take a look. 

Why is Teeth Extraction Needed?

The most common cause of dental health issues is inadequate dental hygiene. Here are a couple of medical issues that may arise due to poor dental hygiene that may require tooth extraction: 

  • Gum or tooth infections
  • Dental crowding
  • Cracked or broken teeth due to injuries
  • Extensive tooth decay
  • Jaw bone deterioration that causes loose teeth

Tooth and gum infections can be incredibly dangerous if left untreated since the infection can spread and cause severe issues. Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment and get your bad tooth extracted. 

Dental Implants

We can’t stress the importance of proper dental hygiene enough since it’s really the only way to keep your teeth, gums, and jaw healthy for a long time. But even that is sometimes not enough since teeth go through wear and tear throughout our entire lives and they can wear out. 

The good news is that dental implants can help restore your smile and general oral health if you’ve lost a tooth (or teeth) to disease or injury. 

They can prevent the deterioration of your ability to speak and eat due to teeth loss. They also play a vital role in providing regular stimulation for your jaw bone (preventing decay and severe deterioration of the jaw bone). 

You can learn more about our dental implants here. We also provide bone grafting services and procedures to patients who have been without teeth for longer periods of time. Check out our page on bone grafting (periodontics) to learn more. 

Impacted Teeth

Teeth impaction is explained as the failure of the tooth to erupt from the gums in a natural way, causing it to become trapped beneath the gums. There are a few potential causes of impacted teeth, including the presence of a growth or bone in the way of the tooth’s eruption path, the failure of an adult tooth to erupt, and the size of the tooth.

Canine teeth and wisdom teeth are the most susceptible to being impacted. However, wisdom teeth extraction is rather simple and the exposure of impacted canines will help them erupt properly. 

What is the Cause of Impacted Teeth?

Some of the most common causes of impacted teeth include:

  • A growth or bone blocking the eruption path
  • An overcrowded dental arch
  • Baby teeth not falling out
  • Dental crowding blocking the canine’s spot in the arch

Our oral surgeon will inspect the cause of your impacted teeth and use that info to create a personalized treatment plan for your specific dental situation. 

Impact Teeth Exposure

The best way to treat impacted canines is through bonding and exposure. Braces are the most common way to approach the expose-and-bond procedure since they can easily shift the other teeth slightly to the side to make room for the canine(s). An orthodontist conducts this first part of the process. 

The oral surgeon takes over once there is sufficient room for the impacted teeth. They will make a small incision in your gums to access the tooth and attach a bracket & chain. The orthodontist can use the chain to position and lower the tooth into the appropriate place. 

Oral Pathology Services

The inside lining of your mouth (called the mucosa) is pink and silky when it’s in good health. Paying attention to how the mucosa looks (both texture and color) is imperative to detecting certain issues ahead of time. 

If you notice any discoloration or changes to the mucosa texture, it might be a sign that something is awry. Although oral pathologies are generally harmless and most often appear due to infection, it should still be checked out by a surgeon every once in a while. 

Oral Pathology Symptoms

Certain warning signs can help you determine whether or not you need to visit a dental health clinic, including:

  • Sores that bleed and don’t heal
  • Lumps on the neck or in the mouth
  • Red or white patches on your cheeks, tongue, or gums
  • Mucosa discoloration, texture changes, and shape changes
  • Consistent swelling that won’t go away

If you have any of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us so we can determine the best course of action for you.

Oral Pathology Types

Improper oral hygiene is often the biggest contributor to oral pathology. Our mouths process plenty of food and fluids each day which makes them a haven for bacteria. Keeping your mouth clean and free of germs is crucial for staying healthy. The most common oral diseases are: 

  • Infections
  • Herpes
  • Chronic ulcers
  • Oral cysts and tumors
  • Oral fungal infections
  • Oral cancers
  • Salivary gland diseases

Oral Surgery Sedation Options

All of our oral surgeries are designed to be as efficient, comfortable, and painless as possible. Dental phobia is a real thing which is why we provide a variety of sedative options, including: 

  • Local Anesthetic: Lignocaine (the most popular anesthetic) is given as an injection into the afflicted area & surgical site. Local anesthetics on their own are primarily used for minor surgical operations (teeth extractions, gum treatments, etc.) but they’re an integral part of any other type of sedation.
  • NOS (Nitrous Oxide Sedation) with Local Anesthetic: Patients are sometimes given a mix of nitrous oxide and local anesthetic for procedures that include wisdom teeth removal, implant insertion, and difficult tooth extractions. Nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) reduces stress and improves pain tolerance. Once the procedure is done, you’ll be able to breathe normally again and can go back to business as usual right away.
  • IV Sedation: IV sedation is often used for major surgical procedures where local anesthetics aren’t enough. Patients who are sedated through an IV experience will gradually lose awareness and, in some cases, may even lose consciousness. This type of sedation often lasts for multiple hours so you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure. However, IV sedation is an option that can be chosen for any type of procedure, including wisdom teeth removal or implant insertion, and it’s commonly picked by patients that suffer from dental anxiety and phobia. 

Schedule your dental appointment with Lovett Dental today by calling us at 832-804-7427.

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