Oral surgery and extractions are both types of dental treatments. Oral surgery is a more invasive form of treatment, as it includes any surgery that is performed on the hard tissue of the mouth, such as the jaws, teeth, gums and soft palate.
Extractions, on the other hand, involve removing one or more teeth from the mouth. The main difference between oral surgery and extractions is that oral surgery typically involves more complex procedures.
These procedures may include the repositioning or reshaping of the jaw, the repair of the gum tissue, or the reconstruction of the soft palate. They may also involve the removal of certain teeth or implants.
Extractions are usually simpler and involve the removal of a single tooth or a section of teeth. While there are some similarities between the two, the main distinction is that oral surgery is more intricate and complex than a tooth extraction.
Is a tooth extraction considered oral surgery?
Yes, a tooth extraction is considered oral surgery. During a tooth extraction, a dentist or oral surgeon will use special tools to remove the entire tooth from the patient’s mouth. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and may also involve stitches to close the socket where the tooth was removed.
Oral surgery also includes other dental procedures such as wisdom teeth extraction, dental implants, and orthognathic jaw surgery. These procedures are all considered to be a part of oral surgery. However, all dental procedures involve a certain degree of risk and should be discussed with a dentist before proceeding.
What are examples of oral surgery?
Examples of oral surgery include extraction of teeth, apicectomy or root canal therapy, facial trauma reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), oral cancer surgery, placement of dental implants and alveoplasty or dental bone reconstruction.
Extraction of teeth is one of the most common oral surgeries, and is performed to relieve pain, correct a disease or correct overcrowding in the mouth. Apicectomy is a procedure that removes a section of the bone and gum tissue from around a tooth’s root.
Root canal therapy is also a common procedure, which treats an infection of the root of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased root and filling the canal with a biocompatible material.
Facial trauma reconstruction can include anything from lacerations and fractures to facial deformities caused by an accident or disease. Cosmetic surgery of the face is also a type of oral surgery consisting of procedures like lip augmentation, chin reshaping, jawline implants and more.
Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder can involve surgically modifying the joint and muscles involved in chewing or removal of dislocated tissue. Oral cancer surgery includes removing tumors and reconstructing/rebuilding the affected areas.
Placement of a dental implant is one of the most common surgeries in oral surgery that is done to replace missing teeth. Lastly, alveoplasty or dental bone surgery is used to remove and reshape the jawbone which sometimes is needed in order to improve the function of the teeth and surrounding soft tissues.
Is wisdom teeth removal a surgery or simple extraction?
Wisdom teeth removal is a type of oral surgery, also referred to as surgical extractions. While some wisdom teeth can be removed by simple extractions, which involves loosening and removing the tooth from its socket, most require more complicated oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.
During wisdom teeth removal, the gum tissue is opened and any hard, bony tissue that is blocking access to the tooth is removed. The tooth is then broken into smaller pieces and removed from the jaw.
After removing all the pieces of the tooth, the dentist will clean and close the area. Depending on the difficulty of the procedure, the recovery process can take several weeks, with some additional follow ups required.
Is tooth extraction the same as tooth removal?
No, tooth extraction is not the same as tooth removal. Tooth extraction, also known as exodontia, is a dental procedure in which a tooth is removed from the mouth. Whereas tooth removal, also known as odontectomy, is a surgical procedure in which a tooth is extracted from the jawbone.
Extracting the tooth requires making an incision in the gum, or in some cases, cutting the tooth in order to remove it. Tooth removal is typically used for severely damaged or impacted teeth. Depending on the location of the tooth, various complications can arise from the procedure, such as damage to gum and bone tissue, jaw fractures, and displacement of adjacent teeth.
Which teeth require surgical extraction?
Surgical extraction of teeth is necessary in various situations. This procedure is most commonly performed on teeth that have broken off at the gum line due to trauma, decay, or gum disease. Teeth that are impacted, or stuck, in the jawbone can also require surgical extraction.
Other situations requiring surgical extraction include cases where a tooth is severely decayed, when a tooth has not erupted properly, or when a baby tooth fails to fall out when a permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
In addition, surgically removing multiple teeth to allow room for orthodontic treatment might require surgical extraction. While the extraction process for a single tooth or multiple teeth is similar, the complexity of the procedure will differ based on the level of difficulty for each case.
What is the most common type of oral surgery?
The most common type of oral surgery is tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth, typically due to tooth decay or gum disease. In some cases, a tooth may need to be extracted due to overcrowding in the mouth, braces or a failed root canal.
This procedure is typically performed by a dentist or oral surgeon and may require local anesthesia and/or sedation. Other common types of oral surgery include dental implants, gingivectomy (gum reshaping), soft tissue grafts, and impacted tooth removal.
Will an oral surgeon pull an infected tooth?
Yes, an oral surgeon can pull an infected tooth. Oral surgeons are trained to treat a variety of oral and dental issues, including the extraction of teeth. Depending on the severity of the infection, they may need to perform a more complex extraction, such as a surgical extraction, which may involve cutting into the gum or jawbone to remove the tooth.
In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection before the actual extraction can take place. If the infection does not clear up after the course of antibiotics, then the oral surgeon may suggest more aggressive treatment options.
The oral surgeon will also be able to examine your mouth and determine if any other issue is present before recommending a course of treatment.
What are the three methods for doing extractions?
The three most common methods for doing extractions are liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and accelerated solvent extraction.
Liquid-liquid extraction is a technique typically used to isolate and purify non-volatile compounds from a variety of sample matrices. This technique can work well on pre-separated samples or with reagents such as water and organic solvents to separate two different physical phases.
Solid-phase extraction is an effective sample preparation technique used to isolate a target analyte from a sample matrix. This method involves the use of a sorbent material, such as a resin or a polymer, to collect the target analyte from the matrix, after which the desired components are released into the solution for further analysis.
Accelerated solvent extraction is a technique used to isolate and purify complex mixtures. This method typically uses a heated solvent and mechanical forces such as pressure and shaking, to rapidly extract and isolate target analytes from samples in an automated fashion.
How long does a surgical tooth extraction take?
The amount of time that it takes for a surgical tooth extraction to be completed can vary based on the difficulty of the extraction, the type of anesthesia used, and the experience of the dentist performing the procedure.
Generally, a simple tooth extraction such as a wisdom tooth that is fully erupted can be completed in under an hour. If a tooth has not yet erupted, or if it has roots that have grown into the surrounding bone, then the procedure may take longer and the expected duration should be discussed with the dentist in advance.
Tooth extractions that are done under general anesthesia may take up to two and a half hours for completion.
Is a dentist and oral surgeon the same thing for tooth extraction?
No, a dentist and oral surgeon are not the same thing when it comes to tooth extraction. Dentists are general practitioners who provide preventive care for oral health, such as exams and cleanings, fillings, and root canals.
An oral surgeon, on the other hand, specializes in surgical procedures of the face, mouth, and jaws. They typically provide services such as extracting teeth, dental implants, bone grafts, and corrective jaw surgery.
While a dentist may extract a tooth if necessary, they typically refer the patient on to an oral surgeon for an extraction if the tooth is difficult to remove or the procedure is complicated.
Should a dentist or oral surgeon extract a tooth?
The answer to this question depends on the individual circumstances of each patient. Generally speaking, dentists are qualified to perform routine extractions of loose, bad, and decayed teeth. Such routine extractions are often the recommended treatment for unrepairable teeth or for teeth that could cause the patient discomfort during chewing.
In cases of severe decay, large cavities, and fractures, a dentist may refer the patient to an oral surgeon for a more complicated extraction. A qualified oral surgeon is better equipped to handle the additional complexity of these extractions and can provide a higher level of comfort and safety to the patient.
Therefore, in most cases, the dentist should be consulted first to determine the best treatment option for the tooth or teeth in question.
What type of dentist extracts teeth?
A dentist who specializes in extractions is called an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons are highly-trained professionals who perform a variety of procedurs in addition to simply extracting teeth. These procedures include the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and deformities of the teeth, gums and jaws.
Oral surgeons also place dental implants, perform corrective jaw surgery and treat sleep apnea with the use of a dental sleep appliance. Before a patient undergoes a tooth extraction, an oral surgeon will often need to perform a comprehensive dental exam to determine the health of other teeth and the surrounding tissues.
In some cases, an x-ray will be taken to provide a better idea of the underlying anatomy of the involved teeth and jaw. After the procedure is complete, the oral surgeon may recommend post-operative care such as bite guards, mouth rinses and pharmaceuticals to help ensure optimal healing.
How does an oral surgeon remove a root of a tooth?
An oral surgeon will typically remove a root of a tooth through a process known as an apicoectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the gum tissue near the affected tooth. After gaining access to the underlying bone, they will remove the infected and/or damaged tissue, as well as the root of the tooth to ensure that the infection is fully removed.
The surgeon will then place a localized antibiotic into the area to help fight any remaining infection, and a biocompatible material will be used to fill in the area where the root was removed. The recovery process for this type of surgery can take up to two weeks and may involve follow-up visits for the surgeon to monitor healing.
How much does it cost to pull a tooth?
The cost of a tooth extraction can vary depending on the method used, the severity and location of the tooth, and your dental insurance coverage. Generally, a simple extraction performed in a general dentist’s office can cost anywhere from $75 – $300 for an individual tooth.
If the extraction requires more complicated procedures, such as surgical extraction or removal of impacted teeth, the cost may be significantly higher and could range from $200 to $800 per tooth. The cost may also be higher if the tooth is located in the back of the mouth since it’s more difficult to access the affected area.
Your dental insurance plan may cover some of the cost, but it’s likely you will be responsible for paying a portion of the total cost. Additionally, if you require sedation or antibiotics during the procedure, you can expect to pay even more.
It is important to discuss all costs with your dentist before any procedure is done in order to make sure you understand the total cost of your treatment.