Severe dental health problems can cause significant pain and impact your daily activities. At Houston Precise Dental Care in Houston, Joe Eckford Jr., DDS works closely with oral surgeons to ensure you receive the dental care you need for better health. Schedule an appointment online or call the office today to learn more about oral surgery treatments.
Oral Surgery Q & A
What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery includes an array of procedures performed on your teeth, gums, palate or other parts of your mouth. It is performed by a medical doctor who has advanced training in oral surgery. Many people visit an oral surgeon at least once in their lifetime to have wisdom teeth removed.
Oral surgeons collaborate with dentists to care for your oral health. To ensure his patients have the best care possible, Dr. Eckford works closely with oral surgeons in the Houston area to provide comprehensive dental treatment.
What conditions does oral surgery treat?
Oral surgery is used to treat many severe conditions, including:
- Impacted wisdom teeth stuck beneath the gum line
- Impacted cuspids or bicuspid teeth
- Tooth loss
- Poor jaw growth
- Poor-fitting dentures
- Severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Trauma to the teeth, mouth or jaw
These conditions impact your quality of life and can negatively affect your oral health in both the short and long term.
Though oral surgeons treat many conditions, the most common procedures they perform include wisdom teeth removal and dental implants for missing teeth.
What should I expect during and after oral surgery?
Though each oral surgery is different, you will likely be under general anesthesia during yours. This means you will need someone to drive you home and care for you after surgery. It also means you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery.
After your surgery, your doctor may give you pain medicine to manage lingering discomfort. You may be on a soft foods diet after your surgery.
Dr. Eckford will see you for an appointment both before and after your surgery to ensure your long-term dental health needs are on track. Depending on what type of oral surgery you had, he may also perform dental restoration procedures, such as placing a crown, once you’ve healed from surgery. He is available to answer any questions you have after your oral surgery.
Find the comprehensive dental treatment you need for better health. Contact the practice by phone or online to learn more about oral surgery options.