I Thought My Job Was Hard Till I Found Out 50 Procedures an Oral Surgeon May Be Asked to Do

[El Cajon, CA] Every morning, we wake up, brush our teeth, and get ready for the day’s challenges, often grumbling about the mundane tasks that lie ahead. But have you ever stopped to consider the intricate world of oral surgery? It’s a realm where precision meets the human puzzle, and the stakes are as high as the smiles are wide. In this article, we’ll dive into the fascinating and sometimes jaw-dropping universe of oral surgeons.

Imagine being tasked with not just one or two, but fifty meticulous procedures that could transform lives. From the delicate art of gum grafting to the complex dance of nerve repositioning, oral surgeons are the unsung heroes of the dental world. They’re not just pulling teeth; they’re sculpting smiles, crafting comfort, and sometimes, quite literally, saving face.

As we peel back the layers of this profession, you’ll discover that oral surgeons are like master architects of the smile. They navigate through bone and tissue with the finesse of a ballet dancer, performing bone grafts and sinus lifts with the same ease as we tie our shoelaces. They’re the ones we call upon when wisdom teeth decide to become unwelcome tenants, or when an accident calls for facial trauma repair.

So, buckle up and prepare to be amazed as we explore the top 50 procedures that oral surgeons perform. You’ll gain a newfound respect for the craft and perhaps, the next time you’re sipping on that morning coffee, you’ll think twice before saying your job is hard. Because somewhere out there, an oral surgeon is gearing up for a day of dental implants, root amputations, and microvascular reconstructions—all in a day’s work. Let’s begin our journey into the remarkable world of oral surgery, where every procedure is a step towards a brighter, healthier smile.

List of 50 Oral Surgery Procedures

1. Tooth Extraction: Removal of teeth due to severe decay, gum disease, trauma, or impaction.
2. Wisdom Teeth Removal: Extraction of third molars that are impacted or causing crowding.
3. Dental Implants: Replacement of missing teeth with artificial ones anchored to the jawbone.
4. Bone Grafting: Adding bone to the jaw to support implants or due to bone loss.
5. Periodontal Surgery: Treatment of gum disease and restoration of gum health.
6. Corrective Jaw Surgery: Alignment of the jaws for functional and aesthetic reasons.
7. Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Correction of congenital deformities of the lip and palate.
8. Sleep Apnea Surgery: Procedures to address obstructive sleep apnea and improve breathing during sleep.
9. Apicoectomy: Removal of the tip of a tooth root to treat an infection.
10. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removal of tissue from the soft palate and throat to treat sleep apnea.
11. Gum Grafting: A procedure to treat gum recession by transplanting tissue to the affected area.
12. Maxillary Sinus Lift: Elevating the sinus floor to allow for new bone formation in preparation for dental implants.
13. Frenectomy: Removal of the frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ from moving too far, which can be performed to correct tongue-tie or lip-tie.
14. Alveoloplasty: Smoothing out the jawbone after extractions in preparation for dentures or implants.
15. Biopsy: Removal of a small piece of tissue from the mouth or throat to diagnose a condition.
16. Cyst or Tumor Removal: Surgical removal of cysts or tumors in the oral cavity to prevent further health complications.
17. TMJ Surgery: Procedures to address disorders of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull.
18. Palatal Expansion: Widening of the upper jaw to correct bite alignment or create more space for teeth.
19. Facial Trauma Repair: Reconstructive surgery to repair facial injuries, including fractures of the jaw or cheekbones.
20. Orthognathic Surgery: Corrective surgery to realign the jaws and teeth for improved function and appearance.
21. Surgical Exposure of Impacted Teeth: A procedure to expose and guide the eruption of teeth not properly emerging through the gums.
22. Dental Implant Placement: Insert titanium posts into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots and support artificial teeth.
23. Surgical Correction of Maxillofacial Skeletal Deformities: Reconstructive surgery to correct abnormalities of the jaws and facial bones caused by various factors.
24. Anesthesia Administration: OMSs are trained to administer all aspects of pain and anxiety control, including general anesthesia and sedation.
25. Dentoalveolar Surgery: This includes a range of procedures such as tooth extractions, treatment of oral infections, and biopsies.
26. Vestibuloplasty: A surgical procedure to deepen the oral vestibule, which may involve soft tissue grafts and muscle reattachments.
27. Excision of Benign Lesions: Removal of noncancerous lumps or bumps from the oral cavity for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
28. Removal of Benign Odontogenic Cysts or Tumors: Surgical removal of cysts or tumors originating from tooth-forming tissues.
29. Frenulectomy: A procedure to remove the frenulum, which can be performed to correct tongue or lip movement restrictions.
30. Excision of Hyperplastic Tissue: Removal of excess tissue growth in the oral cavity, which can occur for various reasons.
31. Distraction Osteogenesis: A surgical process used to reconstruct skeletal deformities and lengthen the bones of the jaw.
32. Oral Pathology and Biopsies: The diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.
33. Surgical Treatment of Facial Injuries: Repairing facial bone fractures and lacerations.
34. Pre-Prosthetic Surgery: Preparing a patient’s mouth before the placement of a dental prosthesis.
35. Surgical Treatment of Salivary Gland Diseases: Procedures to treat issues such as blockages or infections in the salivary glands.
36. Lingual Frenectomy: A procedure to remove the lingual frenulum, often performed to improve speech or eating functions.
37. Soft Tissue Grafts: Transplanting soft tissue to cover exposed tooth roots or to increase gum tissue.
38. Hard Tissue Grafts (Bone): Transplanting bone tissue to repair defects and support structures such as implants.
39. Facial Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures to enhance or restore facial aesthetics.
40. Microvascular Reconstruction: Reconstructive surgery involving the transfer of tissue, including the reconnection of blood vessels.
41. Root Amputation: A surgical procedure to remove one root of a multi-rooted tooth, usually to save the remaining tooth structure when one root is affected by decay or infection.
42. Dental Hemisection: The division of a tooth with multiple roots into separate sections followed by the removal of one section; often performed on molars to treat periodontal disease or root decay.
43. Crown Lengthening: A surgical procedure to expose more of the tooth structure by recontouring or removing gum tissue and bone for restorative purposes or to improve the aesthetics of the gum line.
44. Soft Tissue Biopsy: Removing a small piece of soft tissue from the mouth to diagnose a condition or disease.
45. Hard Tissue Biopsy (Bone): Removing a small piece of bone tissue from the jaw to diagnose a condition or disease.
46. Surgical Removal of Erupted Tooth: The extraction of a tooth that has fully emerged from the gum but requires surgical intervention due to its position or condition.
47. Surgical Removal of Non-Erupted Tooth: The extraction of a tooth that has not fully emerged from the gum, often involving the removal of bone or sectioning of the tooth.
48. Ridge Augmentation: A procedure to rebuild the natural contour of the gums and jaw after tooth extraction, often in preparation for a dental implant.
49. Sinus Augmentation (Sinus Lift): A surgical procedure to graft bone into the sinus cavity above the upper jaw to support dental implants.
50. Nerve Repositioning: A surgical procedure to temporarily move a nerve to place a dental implant, then return the nerve to its original position.

If you got exhausted just reading the challenges an oral surgeon may face every day, just imagine being in their shoes. It’s enough to get one, “down in the mouth.”

So, next time you greet an oral surgeon, consider just hugging them as a big thank you.

Suffering from any of these dental challenges? Call Fletcher Hills Dental Implants and Oral Surgery Center in San Diego County: 619-334-8880