Short Pump Dental is a leading provider in Henrico, VA, and our goal is to provide top-notch service to all clients. While our primary goal is to ensure optimal health, we also work hard to enhance the confidence of every patient we serve. This is especially important as it concerns oral surgery, a topic that makes many people feel on edge.
When you hear the dentist mention the word "surgery," it is perfectly normal for you to feel nervous. Most of us imagine being in a cold room with bright lights and a lot of noise, similar to a typical operating room. Oral surgery, on the other hand, takes place in an environment that is centered on comfort. Oral surgery is a branch of dentistry that deals with fixing problems in the mouth, jaw, and face, and there are instances when it is necessary.
More Than Just a Toothache
There are problems in the mouth that dental cleaning or some other treatment will not solve. For instance, if you have wisdom teeth that must be removed, you need to see an oral surgeon. You may be referred by your Short Pump family dentist. Failure to remove these teeth can lead to some significant complications, like pushing teeth out of alignment, pain, and infections.
Another reason you may need dental surgery is to receive dental implants after losing teeth. Instead of a removable bridge, a surgeon places a small titanium post into the jawbone to act like a root, and this provides a permanent foundation for a new, natural-looking tooth. For this, your Henrico cosmetic dentist will collaborate with an oral surgeon to give you a beautiful smile.
Fixing the Foundation
If you have severe issues with jaw alignment that cannot be corrected in any other way, surgery is necessary. Allowing these problems to go unaddressed can lead to all sorts of complications, such as difficulty eating and speaking, and your teeth wearing down.
Surgeons can shift the jaw into a better position. This relieves chronic headaches and prevents future dental damage.
The Art of the Smile
While many surgeries focus on health and function, there are also times when you might visit a Henrico cosmetic dentist to improve how your smile looks so that you can feel more confident. You do not necessarily need a medical emergency to want to change your appearance. A cosmetic dentist can help if you have a tooth that is badly chipped from a sports injury or if you have deep stains that whitening strips cannot fix. They use porcelain veneers. These are thin covers for the front of the teeth to make them look more uniform. People often seek this help to boost their self-esteem. This is especially true if they have spent years hiding their teeth behind their hands when they laugh.
No matter which dental procedure you have, you need to focus on recovery and getting back to your normal routine. To do this, you must follow any instructions that the surgeon gives you. These may include eating soft foods for a time or using ice packs to manage swelling. If you are provided with any medication, make sure you take it as directed.
If you believe you need oral surgery, the Short Pump family dentist can help. At Short Pump Dental, our family dentist and cosmetic dentist work closely with trusted oral surgery providers to ensure every patient receives the right care at the right time. So, reach out to our friendly staff today, and you will be on your way to looking and feeling your best.