What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery encompasses a range of surgical procedures carried out on the structures of the mouth and face, including the teeth, gums, jawbone, and surrounding facial regions.

Common examples of oral surgery procedures include tooth removal, corrective jaw surgery, dental implant placement, dental bone grafting, and gum grafting.

Who Performs Oral or Dental Surgery?

When a general dentist determines that a dental condition requires a surgical approach, the patient will be referred to a specialist. Oral surgical procedures are carried out by oral and maxillofacial surgeons or other dental specialists such as endodontists, periodontists, or prosthodontists.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons vs General Dentists

Both general dentists and oral surgeons complete four years of dental school training.

Following dental school, oral surgeons undertake an additional four-year residency in a hospital surgical environment.

This extended training makes oral and maxillofacial surgeons highly qualified dental specialists with advanced expertise in surgical procedures of the mouth and face.

Oral surgeons are also trained to administer IV sedation and general anaesthesia, whereas general dentists are limited to local anaesthesia only.

Treatment for Bleeding Gums

A number of dental conditions may require surgical treatment from a specialist to safeguard your oral health and reduce the risk of future complications.

The following are some of the most frequently performed oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures:

Dental Implants

Tooth loss can affect anyone and often has a significant impact on a person’s confidence and day-to-day function. Dental implants offer a long-term solution for missing teeth by restoring both appearance and oral health. During this procedure, small titanium or zirconia posts are surgically inserted into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots.

These posts provide a stable foundation onto which replacement teeth are securely attached. Dental implants closely mimic the look and function of natural teeth.

For a detailed overview of the implant process, visit our Dental Implants page.

Dental Bone Graft

Adequate bone volume and density in the jaw is essential for patients considering dental implants. Those who have experienced significant bone loss may not have sufficient jaw structure to support implants without first undergoing bone grafting. This surgical procedure rebuilds the jawbone by restoring lost volume and density, making implant placement possible.

Tooth Extraction

Teeth that are severely decayed, impacted, damaged through trauma, or compromised by advanced gum disease may need to be surgically removed. In some circumstances, extractions are also carried out to create space ahead of orthodontic treatment or to prepare the mouth for dentures or other prosthetic restorations.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, sit at the very back of the mouth and typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 21. When they erupt fully and in the correct position, they may cause no issues at all.

However, wisdom teeth frequently become impacted or remain partially trapped beneath the gum line, requiring surgical removal. Left in place, impacted wisdom teeth can push neighbouring teeth out of alignment and create hard-to-clean areas where food traps, increasing the likelihood of decay and gum disease.

Many dentists recommend extraction even when wisdom teeth are not currently causing symptoms, to prevent complications from developing over time. The procedure may be performed by either a general dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon depending on the complexity of the case, and is typically carried out under local anaesthesia.

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a significant sleep-related breathing condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep. When left unmanaged, it can contribute to loud snoring, elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart and liver problems, and persistent daytime fatigue.

Treatment

Mild cases: Lifestyle adjustments may be sufficient
Moderate cases: Often managed effectively with a CPAP device or a custom oral appliance
Severe cases or where other options have not worked: Surgical intervention may be required

Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal disease involves infection and inflammation of the gum tissue and requires professional dental treatment. Milder presentations can be managed with antibiotics or a deep clean known as scaling and root planing. In more advanced cases, surgery becomes necessary to access and remove infected tissue and bacterial deposits from below the gum line.

During the procedure, small incisions are made along the gum line to thoroughly clear the bacteria, after which the gum tissue is carefully sutured back into position.

Jaw Joint Surgery

Surgery on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may be recommended for patients with severe jaw dysfunction. Not all TMJ-related issues require a surgical response. Surgery is generally considered when significant damage has occurred due to osteoarthritis, physical trauma, or bone infection.

Orthognathic surgery, also referred to as corrective jaw surgery, addresses structural abnormalities and misalignment in the jaw. It can be an effective treatment to:

Improve facial symmetry and aesthetics
Restore comfortable chewing function
Relieve chronic pain associated with TMJ dysfunction

Oral surgeons may also perform surgery to correct cleft lip and palate conditions.

Is Oral Surgery Painful

Often, oral surgeons perform the procedure in the dental clinic as an outpatient procedure, depending on what type of surgery the patient requires.

Your dentist or oral surgeon will administer local anesthesia before starting the procedure. A local anesthetic will numb the surgical area, and the patient will not feel any pain or discomfort.

If the oral surgery specialist decides to administer general anesthesia, the patient will be unconscious during surgical procedures and will not feel any pain or anxiety.

Is Oral Surgery Painful?

Most oral surgery procedures are performed as outpatient treatments at a dental clinic, depending on the nature and complexity of the surgery.

Before any procedure begins, your dentist or oral surgeon will administer local anaesthesia to numb the treatment area. This ensures the patient experiences no pain or discomfort throughout the procedure.

In cases where general anaesthesia is used, the patient will be completely unconscious during the operation and will have no awareness of pain or anxiety.

Risks or Complications of Oral Surgery

While oral surgical procedures offer clear benefits for a patient’s dental and overall health, they are not entirely without risk. Potential complications can include:

Infection
Bleeding and swelling
Damage to surrounding tissues
Retained root fragments
Temporary numbness
Sinus-related complications
Dry socket

How Long Does Oral Surgery Take?

The duration of oral surgery varies depending on the procedure involved. Most oral surgery procedures take anywhere between 45 minutes and 3 hours.

After Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Your oral surgery specialist will provide post-operative instructions to support your recovery and minimise the risk of complications. General guidelines typically include:

Refrain from smoking
Avoid consuming alcohol
Take any prescribed pain relief medication as directed
Do not use a straw for drinking following a tooth extraction
Apply an ice pack to the area to help manage swelling
Stick to soft foods for several days after surgery as advised by your dentist
Opt for smaller, more manageable meals rather than large servings during recovery