While many dental conditions can be easily treated in your dentist’s office, there are some that are more difficult to address. In addition to compromising the appearance of your smile, these mouth and jaw issues are often painful and can lead to oral health problems in the future if they’re not addressed. Luckily, oral surgery can address problems that dental care can’t help on its own. Here are a few conditions that may require extra attention.  

What Mouth & Jaw Problems Require Oral Surgery?

1. Overbite

A misaligned jaw can sometimes be corrected with braces and other orthodontic techniques, but if you have a serious overbite, oral surgery may be a better course. This treatment will bring your teeth and jaw into alignment, correcting both your bite and your smile.

2. TMJ & Bite Problems

If you have other forms of jaw misalignment or jaw pain, you may feel self-conscious about your smile or have trouble finding relief. Often times, jaw pain is associated with TMJ, a disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint — or the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. In many cases, medication, physical therapy, or chiropractic techniques can relieve this discomfort. But if your pain is persistent, a dentist may recommend oral surgery.

3. Facial Injury

Recent trauma to the head, neck, face, or jaw, including broken bones or serious lacerations, may require oral surgery to restore. Quick and skilled treatment will promote healing and minimize the lasting effects of the injury.

4. Loosened Tooth

If one of your teeth has been loosened either by impact or infection, surgical treatment may be able to save it. Bone grafting and other techniques help strengthen your tooth sockets and provide a better anchor, allowing your tooth roots to recover and function normally.

5. Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth begin to emerge during early adulthood. In some cases, the process is easy and unproblematic. However, most people need to have their wisdom teeth removed, as there’s typically not enough room in the jawline for the extra molars. In these cases, or in cases when the wisdom teeth become impacted or come in at the wrong angle, your dentist will recommend oral surgery to have them removed.

Whether it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed or you need a more advanced procedure to correct your bite, rely on the experts at Oral Surgery Center, S.C. in Baraboo, WI. In addition to providing Sauk County with full-service general and cosmetic dental treatment, Dr. Erich Herbst and Dr. Steven Anderson are experienced surgeons with a focus on compassionate and effective patient care. To schedule a procedure, call (608) 356-2112. To explore more of the team’s services, visit them online.