DENTAL SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES

Dental surgeries and procedures are essential for maintaining 
oral health, addressing complex dental issues, and improving 
overall well-being. Whether it's wisdom tooth removal, gum
 surgery, or dental implants, these procedures help restore 
function and aesthetics. Let’s break down the most common
 dental 
surgeries and procedures, their purposes, and what to expect.





TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Tooth extractions are one of the most common 
dental 
surgeries. A dentist may recommend removing a tooth
 due to 
severe decay, infection, overcrowding, or impaction
 (when a tooth 
is stuck beneath the gums, like wisdom teeth).

SIMPLE EXTRACTION  

Performed when the tooth is visible above the gum line. 
A dentist loosens and removes it with forceps.




SURGICAL EXTRACTION 

 Required when the tooth is impacted or broken under the gum line. 
The procedure involves making an incision in the gum
 and sometimes breaking the tooth into smaller
 pieces for easier removal.





RECOVERY TIME
Mild swelling and discomfort for a few days

Avoiding solid foods and maintaining soft diets

Full healing within a few weeks




WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL

Wisdom teeth often don’t have enough space to emerge
 properly, leading to pain, infections, and misalignment of other teeth.




WHY REMOVE WISDOM TEETH?

Prevents overcrowding and misalignment

Reduces the risk of infections or cysts

Eliminates pain from impaction

THE PROCEDURE

Local or general anesthesia is administered

The gum is opened, and the tooth is extracted (often in sections)

Stitches may be required, which dissolve over time




DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are a long-term solution for missing teeth. 
They replace both the root and the crown of a tooth with a
 titanium post and a prosthetic tooth.

 BONE PREPARATION

 If necessary, bone grafting is done to 
strengthen the jawbone.




IMPLANT PLACEMENT

 A titanium post is inserted into the jawbone.



 HEALING PERIOD 

Osseointegration (bone fusing with implant) 
takes 3-6 months.



CROWN PLACEMENT

 A custom-made crown is attached for a 
natural appearance.





BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

Durable and long-lasting

Helps prevent bone loss in the jaw

Improves chewing ability and speech




GUM SURGERY
 (Periodontal Surgery)

Gum surgeries treat gum disease, repair receding gums, and help
 strengthen the gum structure around teeth.

TYPES OF GUM SURGERIES

GINGIVECTOMY

 Removes diseased gum tissue to eliminate infection.



GUM GRAFTING

Uses donor tissue to cover receding gums
 and protect tooth roots.



FLAP SURGERY 

 Lifts gums to remove tartar buildup beneath
 the gum line.



RECOVERY TIME
Gums take 2-4 weeks to heal
Soft diet and good oral hygiene help speed
 up recovery

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
A root canal is needed when a tooth’s pulp (nerve tissue)
 is infected or inflamed. This procedure saves the tooth 
from extraction.



PROCEDURE

The dentist numbs the tooth and removes the infected pulp.

The inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected.

A filling is placed inside, and a crown is added for protection.




WHY GET A ROOT CANAL?
Saves a tooth from extraction

Eliminates severe pain and infection

Prevents further decay and tooth loss







BONE GRAFTING

When a patient has lost too much bone in the jaw
 (due to missing teeth or gum disease), bone grafting is done 
to strengthen the area before dental implants.




TYPES OF BONE GRAFTS


AUTOGRAFT

 Uses bone from the patient’s body.

ALOGRAFT  

Uses donor bone from a different person.



XENOGRAFT

 Uses animal bone (typically from cows).



ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY 
(Jaw Surgery)
This surgery corrects misaligned jaws, facial
 imbalances, and bite issues that cannot be fixed
 with orthodontics alone.

WHY IS JAW SURGERY NEEDED?

Corrects severe underbites or overbites

Helps with speech difficulties and chewing problems

Treats sleep apnea caused by jaw misalignment




PROCEDURE DETAILS

Performed under general anesthesia

The jaw is repositioned and secured with
 screws or plates

Recovery takes several weeks, with soft foods 
recommended



FULL-MOUTH RECONSTRUCTION

For patients with severe dental issues (multiple missing or 
damaged teeth, jaw problems, or gum disease), full-mouth 
reconstruction combines several dental procedures to restore 
function and aesthetics.

PROCEDURES INCLUDED IN
 FULL-MOUTH RECONSTRUCTION

Dental implants or bridges

Crowns and veneers

Orthodontic treatments

Gum and jaw surgeries

POST-SURGERY CARE AND 
RECOVERY TIPS
Follow your dentist’s
 instructions closely

Stick to a soft diet 
if necessary

Take prescribed medications
 for pain management

Maintain excellent oral hygiene 
to prevent infections

EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE

(A Step-by-Step Guide to Handling Dental Emergencies)

Dental emergencies can happen when you
 least expect it.
 Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a broken
 tooth, or a more 
severe issue, it’s
 important to know how to respond. Prompt action can
 make a huge 
difference in reducing pain, preventing further 
damage, and 
improving the outcome. 
Below is a step-by-step guide on the different types 
of dental
 emergencies and how to handle them.





SEVERE TOOTH PAIN
Severe tooth pain is one of the most
 common 
reasons people seek
 emergency dental care. This could be due
 to a variety of
 reasons, such as tooth 
decay, an abscess, or even a cracked tooth.

STEPS TO TAKE
Rinse your mouth with warm water to
 clean the area.

Use dental floss to remove any food particles that 
may be stuck between your teeth.


Take over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate 
discomfort, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the
 affected tooth or gums.

Apply a cold compress on the outside 
of your 
cheek to reduce swelling.

Schedule an emergency dental appointment 
as soon as possible.







CHIPPED OR BROKEN TOOTH

Accidents happen, and a chipped or broken tooth 
is something many
 people experience. The tooth may crack, chip, or even 
break completely, leading
 to pain and potential infection.

STEPS TO TAKE 

Save any pieces of the broken 
tooth and rinse
 them with warm water.

Apply a cold compress on the
 cheek near the 
affected tooth to reduce
 swelling.

If the tooth has sharp edges, cover 
it with dental wax or a 
piece of sugarless gum to prevent 
cutting
 your tongue or cheek.

Visit the dentist immediately. 
They can either
 reattach the broken 
pieces or offer a solution like bonding 
or a crown to 
restore the tooth.





KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH
A knocked-out tooth (avulsed tooth) is a
 true dental
 emergency 
that requires quick action to increase the
 chances of 
saving the tooth.

STEPS TO TAKE

Find the tooth and handle it by the crown
 (the top part, not the root).

If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with
 water, but avoid 
scrubbing or using soap.

Try to place the tooth back into the 
socket gently. If that’s
 not possible, store the tooth in a container of 
milk or
 saline solution. 
If none are available, keep the tooth in your
 mouth between 
your cheek and gums.

Get to the dentist within 30 minutes to an
 hour for the best 
chance of saving the tooth.






LOST FILLING OR CROWN
A lost filling or crown can leave your 
tooth vulnerable 
to pain, food particles, and bacteria.

STEPS TO TAKE

If the filling or crown has fallen out, you can
 temporarily use dental
 cement (available at most drugstores) to 
seal the hole.
 Don’t try to glue
 it back with household glue.

Keep the area clean by rinsing with warm 
salt water.

Call your dentist as soon as possible to 
schedule an
 appointment for a permanent solution.






ABSCESSED TOOTH
An abscess is a painful infection that can occur at the
 root of the 
tooth or in the gums. If left untreated, an abscess can
 lead to more 
serious infections and even affect other parts of the body.

STEPS TO TAKE

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to 
help relieve
 pain and draw out the infection.

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage 
pain, but you
 should see a dentist as soon as possible. Antibiotics
 may be
 required to treat the infection.





OBJECT STUCK BETWEEN TEETH

It’s common for food particles or small objects to 

get stuck between 

your teeth, causing discomfort.

STEPS TO TAKE

Gently try to remove the object using dental floss. Be careful 
not to push it further down.

If the object won’t come out, don’t use sharp objects like 
pins or needles. Instead, contact your dentist.

Your dentist can safely remove the object without causing
 injury to your gums or teeth.




SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Soft tissue injuries, such as cuts to the
 gums, cheeks, or lips, 

can happen from accidents or trauma.

STEPS TO TAKE

Apply gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth 
to stop any bleeding.

If the injury is severe or the bleeding doesn’t stop after 
10-15 minutes, seek immediate dental or medical attention.

Rinse the injured area with warm salt water
 to prevent infection.

Your dentist may use stitches to close the wound 
and ensure it heals properly.




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CONCLUSION
Dental emergencies can be
 alarming, but knowing 
what to do in the moment

 can help reduce the risk of permanent damage.

 Whether it’s a

 toothache, broken tooth, or a more serious

 injury, it’s important to

 stay calm and seek professional dental care as 

soon as possible. 

Keep in mind that your dentist is your best resource 

when it comes to

 urgent dental problems.

Remember to always have the contact 
information 
for an emergency
 dentist handy. The sooner you act, the
 better the 
outcome for
 your dental health!