Many dental procedures are noninvasive. However, sometimes, the only way to preserve your oral health is through oral surgery. Here are a few common types of oral surgery that your dentist may perform.

Root Planing and Scaling

Gum disease occurs as the gingival tissues become inflamed. The inflammation can progress, leading to a gum infection that can cause tooth and bone loss. 

Initially, gum disease has mild symptoms, such as tissue swelling, reddening, and light bleeding. However, as the condition worsens, pockets develop between the gums and teeth. These pockets can house bacteria and plaque, allowing tartar accumulations to form below the gum line. 

To clear the teeth and gums of the harmful debris, the dentist may perform a root planing and scaling procedure. During the surgical treatment, tartar is scraped from the crowns and dental roots of the teeth. Also, the surfaces of the dental roots are smoothed, ridding them of tartar and allowing the tissues to heal.

Surgical Extractions

Unlike a simple extraction, a surgical extraction requires the cutting of the gums. Surgical extractions may be necessary for a variety of reason, including:

• Severe tooth decay. Decay takes place when the enamel is demineralized by bacterial acids. The condition eats away at the tooth material. Decay can necessitate a surgical extraction when too little tooth material is available for a filling or other restorative procedure. 
• Wisdom tooth issues. Wisdom teeth are not necessary for the proper chewing of your food. Additionally, the teeth can cause problems, such as crowding, pain, and gum inflammation, when the oral cavity is too small to accommodate them. Thus, a wisdom tooth extraction may be necessary.
• Crowding. Crowding occurs when the teeth are so close together that they overlap. The resulting dental misalignment may be correctable. However, before an orthodontic appliance is installed for treatment, some of the teeth may need to be extracted. 

Root Canals

A root canal is used to preserve a tooth that has problems with its dental nerves or pulp. If the pulp, which is the soft tissue that lies inside of a tooth and contains the dental nerves, is damaged, inflamed, or infected, a root canal may be needed to relieve the discomfort. The procedure may also be used when the pain of a tooth is due to damaged dental nerves only. 

During a root canal, the pulp is removed, and the tooth is filled and crowned. The surgical procedure is invasive but not uncomfortable due to local anesthesia.

For more information about oral surgeries, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.