Oral Surgery at Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp.
Hi there, Dr. Virginia Ellis here. Today, we're going to talk about oral surgery.
When is a procedure considered oral surgery?
A procedure is considered oral surgery when it involves surgery that is dentally related and involves the mouth, the jaw, the face, and sometimes the neck area. Head and neck, involving the mouth too, that's oral surgery.
What are common types of oral surgery, and why may they be necessary?
One oral surgery is called an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy means an amputation of maybe a root or part of the root. That would be necessary when someone has, for example, a root canal that needs retreatment but the problem is at the end and it's too complicated to go from the top of the tooth. They'll treat part of it and take part of it off.
Bone grafting is when you don't have enough bone to, say, put an implant or maybe do a bridge where they have to design how it'll look natural. The oral surgeon will put scaffolding material so that bone can grow around the bone socket to allow you to have a better result.
Corrective jaw surgery is for someone with an overbite or an underbite who is having trouble with their jaw, can't eat, or it affects the way they look or breathe. That's corrective jaw surgery and would be considered oral surgery.
Dental implants are considered oral surgery.
Facial trauma, such as from a car accident, a burn, or cuts, is considered oral surgery. TMJ, the jaw joint disorder, sometimes requires surgery and is considered oral surgery.
Tooth extraction, involving cutting into the gums and taking bone out to remove the tooth, is oral surgery and involves stitching.
Sleep apnea correction for obstruction of the airway when sleeping is oral surgery.
Oral pathology, such as cancer inside the mouth, is oral surgery. Wisdom teeth removal, especially when impacted, involves cutting into the gum because it's stuck under the bone socket, and that is oral surgery.
What is maxillofacial surgery?
Maxillofacial surgery is another form of surgery involving the jaw, face, skull, and neck. If you have a car accident or need to correct a bite with major surgery in the face, that's oral surgery.
What happens during oral surgery?
During oral surgery, you have a consultation and get numbed. There are different kinds of numbing depending on your needs and the situation you have. You could have shots, nitrous (laughing gas), oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
After anesthesia, they do the surgery. After surgery, you recover and then go home to wait for full recovery, which could take a couple of weeks.
How should I prepare for oral surgery?
You have a consultation first, and depending on your needs and the complexity of your case, they will tell you what to do. If you're going under sedation, they often don't want you to eat for about 8 to 12 hours to prevent choking if you vomit. You must have someone come with you if you're having sedation or general anesthesia. You cannot call an Uber; they won't even see you if you don't have someone to drive you home.
Does insurance typically cover the cost of oral surgery?
It depends. Dental insurance can cover it, but every plan is different. Coverage depends on the contract arranged between your employer and the insurance company. For instance, someone working for Google may have different benefits than someone working for Nordstrom or Delta. To find out what your coverage will be, especially for oral surgery, talk to the dental office performing the surgery.
If insurance will not cover the cost of my oral surgery, is financial assistance available?
Yes, there usually is. If you don't have enough coverage, you could apply for third-party financing such as Care Credit, a health credit card with interest-free payment arrangements. However, missing scheduled payments will incur charges like a regular credit card. Care Credit can also be used for veterinarians or optometrists.
Alternatively, you could use an HSA (Health Spending Account) or FSA (Flex Spending Account) depending on your employer benefits. HSA funds can roll over if unused, while FSA funds must be used within the year.
How can I schedule an appointment to discuss Oral Surgery?
It's very easy. Call me or the doctor you're considering. Go for the consultation, take all the necessary X-rays, and follow their advice. If you have questions or face challenges such as budget, time, or fear, let the staff or doctor know. We are here to help you. You'd be amazed at how far you can get with support.
At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp., your dental health is our priority. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call our team at (925) 272-2698, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!