Although there are many people in the U.S. who have received some type of service from an oral surgeon. Consider wisdom tooth extraction, which is performed as an outpatient service on an average 5 million people every year, or perhaps dental implant procedures. The condition of one’s teeth can be a delicate subject. Even so, it is important that each patient understands the inherent dangers of improper care both before and after any sort of dental surgery. The best oral surgeon for you is one who will be honest and open about the risks of the procedure you are seeking.
An Oral Surgeon Has More Skills Than You Probably Realize.
An oral surgeon can perform more services than just wisdom tooth extractions or offer dental implants. They can also perform corrective jaw surgery, impacted tooth removal, do an oral bone graft, alleviate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, and evaluate pathological jaw conditions. While the nearest oral surgeon can probably help you with your oral problem, it is worth it to take the time and find the best one for you. Here’s how.
Choosing an Oral Surgeon: the Right Questions to Ask.
Choosing a good oral surgeon should be a process. Don’t think that you must go with the first one you find through an online search. Instead, ask your dentist for recommendations, as well as asking friends and family for their recommendations. Even then, do not decide without sitting down and having a consultation. The questions you can ask the doctor are:
1. Did they have training, preferable detailed training, in your area of concern? For example, this might mean that if you’re suffering from TMJ problems, you’ll want an oral surgeon with extensive knowledge of the mandibular joint and its possible malfunctions.
2. How long have they been in practice? You’ll feel more secure with a doctor who has a long history of happy patients.
3. Do they believe in continuous education? Some patients may believe that a newer doctor who has recently finished school will have a good knowledge of the newest techniques and practices. However, many oral surgeons believe that staying current with the latest educational advances in their field is important. Ask your prospective options if they’ve kept up.
4. Do they get along with the other dental surgeons? Ask if they belong to any professional societies, which usually have standards of practice for their members.
5. What do they want for you? Talk to them about your oral concerns, such as a wisdom tooth extraction or a full denture implant. Ask them to describe the procedure and recovery time frame they would recommend for you.
Do I Really Need to See Someone About This Problem?
Dental concerns are not frivolous. When a problem with your teeth is ignored it can lead to health problems. For example, about 35 million people have TMJ, yet fewer than two-thirds will seek out an oral surgeon for treatment. Of those that do, about 15% will develop the painful condition known as chronic TMJ disorder. This disorder has been found to cause distress in suffers, such as chronic headaches.
What about wisdom tooth extraction? This condition is brought about by an impacted third molar in the back of a patient’s mouth that doesn’t have the room to grow out of the gums as a normal tooth would. The result is painful, as the impacted tooth will begin to push on the other molar nearest it.
It is likely that you’ll need the services of a dental surgeon at some point in your life. It might be that you want to have an implant placed on a single tooth, or even more likely that you’ll need a wisdom tooth extraction performed. You might begin to suffer from TMJ, and want guidance on how to proceed. The time will come when you’ll need to find a good oral surgeon, and it’s important that you understand how to do that. Ask your dentist, and trusted family and friends for their recommendations. Then, ask your candidates good questions to reassure any doubts you have about their qualifications, as well as your upcoming procedure You’ll be able to move forward with your treatment with confidence.
