Why Choose An Oral Surgeon? In Mobile, Alabama

While many patients in the Mobile, AL area probably see a dentist regularly, they might be missing the additional extensive care needed from an oral surgeon. It’s imperative that patients branch out from their dentist for specific conditions, as oral surgeons have the training and skills required to handle these issues.

If a patient needs oral surgery and doesn’t know where to turn, they should contact Bay Area Oral Surgery. Each of our oral surgeons on staff is extremely qualified and dedicated to providing patients with the best experience possible. Additionally, while they all have years of experience, these doctors still seek out continuing education to ensure they’re abreast of the latest updates in the field.

What Is an Oral Surgeon?

Oral surgeons, or oral and maxillofacial surgeons, are dentists that have received at least 4 years of additional surgical training. After completing four years of dental school, they further their education by undergoing a four-year hospital-based residency. During this time, they are trained on all expert methods of procedures from experienced professionals.

In addition to this hospital-based training, they also receive a thorough education in anesthesia. This enables them to provide state of the art anesthesia services during surgical procedures. All-in-all, oral surgeons spend about 12 years in undergrad, dental school, and residency.

Oral surgeons are qualified to work on the hard and soft tissues of the face and mouth. This can include the teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and upper or lower jawbones. Oral surgery is an established specialty of the American Dental Association. Oral surgery residencies are governed by strict requirements to ensure the highest level of training and experience.

What Are the Different Types of Oral Surgery?

Oral surgeons can tackle many different types of oral surgery procedures. The following are just some of the services that our oral surgeons can provide to their patients in the Mobile area:

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

One of the most popular services provided by oral surgeons is the removal of the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the back of most people’s mouths. Now that society has discovered the benefits of regular oral hygiene, these extra teeth may not be needed. When they try to emerge, they can cause numerous problems, including pain, swelling, infection of gum tissue or jaws, and damage to adjacent teeth. To learn more about wisdom teeth extractions, please click here.

Other Tooth Extractions

Many other teeth may need to be extracted for reasons that may include gum disease, crowding, decay, and more. While some may never need an extraction, we encourage our patients to consider seeing our oral surgeons if any pain or discomfort is occurring. To learn more about the benefits and causes for extractions, call our practice today to discuss your symptoms.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Also known as orthognathic surgery, corrective jaw surgery involves surgically repositioning the upper, lower or combination of both jaws to improve alignment and correct bite issues. An orthodontist is typically involved to help coordinate treatment.  This option can help Mobile patients that are struggling with TMJ pain or bite issues, including an open bite, underbite, or overbite. In some patients, having a jaw out of alignment can even prevent them from eating, speaking, swallowing, or breathing correctly. To learn more, please click here.

Dental Implants

While there are numerous tooth replacement solutions out there, dental implants are the best dental science currently has to offer. Dental implants are small titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. During the healing process, the implant fuses to the jawbone creating a solid and stable base for a replacement tooth to be attached. Dental implants can be used to replace individual or multiple teeth. For more information, please click here.

Bone Grafting

Unfortunately, some patients do not have an adequate volume of jawbone to support dental implants. This is especially true if they’ve been missing teeth for some time or have been wearing dentures. To fix this issue, oral surgeons can use a bone grafting procedure to increase the amount of tissue in the jawbone. This involves taking bone tissue from another part of the body or cadaver bone and surgically placing it into the jawbone. To learn more about bone grafting, please click here.

What Are Some Tips for Selecting an Oral Surgeon?

Finding a qualified oral surgeon can be tricky, as you should make sure they have the proper training and experience to trust with your surgical procedure. Make sure your doctor is a member of a qualifying professional organization, such as the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Additionally, any oral surgeon listed on the American Dental Association website will have the certifications needed to perform successful surgical procedures. All of the doctors in our practice are Board Certified and perform thousands of procedures every year.

Patients in the Mobile area may also ask their general dentist to provide recommendations for a quality oral surgeon that they trust. We work alongside referring dentists to guarantee the highest quality for both their patients and ours. This trusting relationship helps both parties to meet the level of service all of our patients deserve.

What Is an Appointment With an Oral Surgeon Like?

An appointment with an oral surgeon is much like an appointment with any other dental professional. Any Mobile patient who needs oral surgery will greatly benefit from an initial consultation with our doctors. During the first visit, one of our oral surgeons will discuss issues and any symptoms the patient may be experiencing. They’ll also conduct a full exam to get a better idea of the patient’s oral health. This may include dental X-rays, digital impressions, or other testing, depending on the patient’s symptoms.

After fully assessing the patient’s health, the doctors can then devise a plan of treatment to correct any existing conditions. They will thoroughly discuss this with the patient, carefully explaining how the surgical procedure will proceed and any potential side effects. By the time the visit is finished, the patient will leave the Mobile office feeling confident and ready for their upcoming surgery.

How Much Does Oral Surgery Cost?

The cost of oral surgery is extremely variable depending on the procedure the patient is having done, whether or not anesthesia will be required, and how complex the patient’s problem is. Most oral surgeries may be covered by dental or health insurance if they are deemed medically necessary. Our team will work with you to make sure you are receiving the most from your insurance and can help make oral surgery procedures more affordable than other dental procedures.

Schedule an Appointment with one of Bay Area Oral Surgery’s Surgeons

Our Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons have the experience, qualifications, and expertise necessary to deliver successful results.

Call us today at (251) 344-6191 to schedule your initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable oral surgeons!