Welcome to Kirkland Dental Excellence, where we offer expert oral surgery services to help you achieve better oral health. Think of us as your dental superheroes—minus the capes (they just get in the way). We know that the surgeries can be scary. But don’t worry! We’re here to be your safety net. Keep reading to learn about our oral operation services.
What is Oral Surgery?
It refers to procedures that fix problems in the mouth, jaw, and face. It includes removing teeth, treating injuries, and correcting defects. The aim here is to improve your oral health and comfort. Is oral surgery medical or dental? It is actually both. It focuses on dental issues but also addresses medical conditions that affect the mouth and jaw.
Benefits of Oral Surgery
- Many procedures ease pain from dental problems.
- Surgery can help you chew and speak better.
- Some surgeries improve your smile, boosting confidence.
- Addressing problems early can prevent bigger issues.
Who Needs Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery suits many patients, including those with:
- Impacted teeth
- Severe tooth decay
- Jaw disorders
- Oral lesions or tumors
What is Oral Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral maxillofacial surgery treats complex issues of the mouth, jaw, and face. It addresses problems like jaw misalignment, facial injuries, and tumors. Normal oral operations focus on simpler procedures, such as tooth extractions and dental implants. However, oral maxillofacial surgery involves more complicated cases and requires advanced training.
What Conditions are Treated with Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery can treat many conditions, including:
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth that do not have enough room to emerge properly. They can cause pain, swelling, and infection if you don’t remove them.
- Jaw disorders like TMJ that occur from stress, teeth grinding, or injury. They typically can lead to pain and difficulty when eating or speaking.
- Cleft palate or lip, which is a birth defect. Typically, your lip or mouth does not fully form. Surgery can improve both function and appearance.
- Oral cancer which may arise from tobacco use, heavy drinking, or certain viruses. You can use surgical removal of tumors or lesions as treatment.
- Facial injuries which can happen due to accidents, falls, or sports. Surgery may be required to repair damage and restore function.
- Dental abscesses and infections which often result from untreated cavities or gum disease. These dental conditions can cause severe pain and swelling and may need drainage or tooth extraction.
Dental Oral Surgery Treatments
Our advanced oral surgery treatments are varied, and we aim to work with you to create a customized treatment that fits your needs. Here are the details of our services:
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- This treatment removes wisdom teeth that cause pain or crowd other teeth. The steps include:
- Numbing the area around the tooth with local anesthesia.
- Making a small incision in the gum if your tooth hasn’t erupted fully.
- Removing a bit of your bone to access your tooth.
- Taking out the tooth in one piece or smaller sections.
- Placing stitches to help the gum heal faster if needed.
Dental Implants
Dental implants can replace missing teeth since they look and act like natural teeth. The steps include:
- Inserting a titanium post into your jawbone. This post acts like a tooth root.
- The fusion of bone with the post over the next few months. This fusion gives strong support.
- Attaching a connector piece called an abutment to the post after healing.
- Placing a custom-made crown on top of the abutment. This crown looks like a real tooth.
Jaw Surgery
This surgery can correct your jaw alignment and improve your bite, speech, and appearance. The steps include:
- Taking X-rays to plan the surgery.
- Making precise cuts in your jawbone.
- Moving the jaw to its new position.
- Securing the jaw with plates and screws to keep it stable during healing.
- Going through recovery, which usually includes a soft diet and regular check-ups.
Biopsy
A biopsy can help us check for abnormal or suspicious tissue in the mouth. A biopsy procedure includes:
- Numbing the area using local anesthesia.
- Removing a small piece of tissue from the affected area.
- Sending the tissue to a lab where specialists examine it for signs of disease.
- Discussing the results with you once we get them from the lab.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting rebuilds your jawbone and makes it strong enough to hold dental implants. The bone grafting steps include:
- Taking bone from another part of your body or using a special bone material.
- Placing the new bone in the areas where it’s needed.
- The fusion of graft with your natural bone over time. This fusion makes your bones thicker and stronger.
- Making sure the jawbone is ready to support dental implants once completely healed.
What is the Most Common Oral Surgery?
The most common oral condition for surgery is wisdom tooth extraction. Around 85% of people will need this procedure at some point in their lives. These teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Many impacted wisdom teeth can lead to pain and infection. Therefore, removing them can prevent these issues and help maintain overall oral health.
How Much Does Oral Surgery Cost?
The cost of oral and facial surgery differs based on your procedure and its complexity. Factors like anesthesia and the surgeon’s experience also change the price. So, if you want detailed pricing, please call us at (425) 827-2003 or contact us online directly.
Is Oral Surgery Covered by Medical Insurance?
Yes, many medical insurance plans cover the costs of oral surgery. Coverage typically ranges from 50% to 80%. You better check the details about your plan with your insurance provider. They can help you understand what is covered and any out-of-pocket expenses you may have.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Oral Surgery?
Recovery times can vary based on the type of procedure:
- Simple extractions usually take about 3 to 5 days.
- Complex extractions may need 1 to 2 weeks to heal fully.
- Dental implants initially take 1 to 2 weeks, but full recovery can take several months.
- Jaw surgery may take 4 to 6 weeks to recover.
- Cleft palate or lip surgery typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. The full recovery needs several months.
- Oral cancer surgery can vary greatly but may take 4 to 8 weeks or longer.
How Long Does Oral Surgery Take?
The oral and facial surgery session duration differs depending on your procedure:
- Wisdom tooth extractions typically take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Dental implants usually need sessions of between 1 to 2 hours.
- Jaw surgery can take 2 to 4 hours. It depends on the complexity of the case.
- Cleft palate or lip surgery generally requires 1 to 3 hours.
- An oral cancer surgery session duration can range from 1 to 4 hours.
What to Eat After Oral Surgery with Stitches?
Stick to soft foods to eat after oral surgery. They can help your recovery. Suitable options include:
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Mashed Potatoes
- Smoothies
- Soup (avoid hot temperatures)
- Ice Cream (no hard toppings)
Foods to avoid:
- Crunchy foods (like chips and popcorn)
- Hard foods (like nuts and raw vegetables)
- Spicy foods
- Acidic foods (like citrus fruits and tomatoes)
- Hot beverages (to prevent irritation)
- Sticky foods (like caramel or taffy)
Oral Surgery Near Me in Kirkland, Washington
Stop searching for affordable oral surgery! At Kirkland Dental Excellence, we make your surgery experience as smooth as butter because we have the expertise to guide you in Kirkland, Washington. So, if your insurance did not cover oral surgery consultation, contact us today to schedule your consultation and use our flexible payment methods!
FAQs
A saline solution or antiseptic mouthwash can help keep the area clean.
Have soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes.
Yes, a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is trained to perform oral surgeries.
Consult with our dental healthcare provider, as some procedures may pose risks.
If you have a cold, inform your dentist. This can affect anesthesia and recovery.