Oral Surgery

However, the most common case which requires oral surgery would be the wisdom tooth extraction

(A) Wisdom Teeth Extraction

What are wisdom teeth?
It is the last teeth to develop and erupt into the jaws and is called the third molars. Third molars usually erupt in the late teen years, which coincides with passage into adulthood and is referred to by some as the age of wisdom; hence “wisdom teeth”. Unfortunately, the wisdom teeth are now usually trying to erupt into a jaw that is too small causing problems.

What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?

Infected gums
When the tooth has only partially broken through the surface, bacteria can enter through the opening or flap around the tooth and cause the gum to become infected.

Decay
Because partially-emerged wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, plaque containing bacteria may form on the surface and create cavities in the wisdom tooth and adjacent teeth.

Crowding and structural damage to other teeth
When teeth become crowded, they lose their proper position in the mouth.

Cyst formation
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, the sac that surrounds the tooth can fill with fluid and form a cyst that is capable of damaging adjacent teeth, the jawbone and nerves.

Video – Wisdom tooth removal

(B) Apicoectomy

What is an apicoectomy?

In this procedure, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed.

A small filling may be placed in the root to seal the end of the root canal, and a few stitches or sutures are placed in th gingiva to help the tissue heal properly.

Over a period of months, the bone heals around the end of the root.

Video – Apicoectomy

(C) Tongue-tie

With tongue-tie, an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. A person who has tongue-tie might have difficulty sticking out his or her tongue. Tongue-tie can also affect the way a child eats, speaks and swallows, as well as interfere with breast-feeding.

Video – Tongue-tie treatment

What is TMD?

Temporo­mandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects your lower jaw to the skull, which are in front of each ear. It allows you move your lower jaw when you talk and chew.

Temporo­mandibular disorders (TMD) are problems associated with your TMJ and muscles that control it.

Symptoms of TMD

1. Clicking or popping sounds in the TMJ when you open or close your mouth. This may or may not be painful

2. Pain or tenderness in your TMJ area, neck and shoulders when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide

3. Difficulty in opening mouth and chewing

4. Jaws may get ‘locked’ when you open too wide