Dental surgery, or oral surgery, covers procedures and treatments requiring surgical interventions on the jaws, teeth, or gums to maintain or restore oral health.

The approach taken at Lassus Tandartsen is focused on preventative rather than reactive care. This is why we recommend regular checkups with an oral hygienist and a dentist.

This article explains the different types of Dental Surgery carried out by the specialists of Lassus Tandartsen and the scenarios in which you might need them.

1. Surgical Extraction

SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS THAT MAY REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE A SURGICAL EXTRACTION

  • Teeth or molars that are fractured or damaged beyond repair
  • Advanced periodontal disease
  • A major infection or severe tooth decay that cannot be resolved with a root canal treatment
  • Wisdom teeth removal
  • Impacted teeth or molars removal

Procedure

Tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket in the bone. Depending on the tooth’s condition and location, extractions can be simple (performed under local anaesthesia) or surgical (involving an incision and sometimes bone removal).

2. Tooth Implants

Reasons to have dental surgery to have tooth implants placed

Tooth implants are often required due to the following:

  • To replace missing teeth
  • To support crowns, dentures or bridges
  • To enhance jawbone stability or structure

Lassus Tandartsen has extensive in-house expertise in implantology.

Procedure

Before implants are placed, you will go through the following process:

You’ll have a consultation with an implantologist to discuss the options and possibilities for implants. An assessment of your health will take place including your overall health, medication use, allergies, and any medical issues or complications from earlier dental treatment.

  • Diagnosis through the use of a three dimensional CBCT scan
  • Placing of the implant(s)
  • After 7-10 days removal of stitches and review of the status of the recovery process
  • After 8-12 weeks, the placing of a crown, prosthesis or bridge

An example of the placing of a single implant is in the video below.

3. Wisdom Tooth Extraction

The surgical extraction of wisdom teeth is one of the most common dental procedures.

Reasons to have wisdom teeth extracted

When a wisdom tooth threatens the health of the surrounding teeth, jawbone or gums, our dental specialists may recommend a surgical extraction of the wisdom teeth.

The Extraction Procedure

  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia will be administered
  • Incision: If the tooth is impacted, an incision in the gum is made to expose the tooth and bone.
  • Bone Removal: Sometimes, bone blocking access to the tooth root must be removed.
  • Tooth Sectioning: The tooth may be divided into sections if it is easier to remove in pieces.
  • Extraction: The tooth is extracted.
  • Stitching: The site may be stitched to promote healing.
  • Gauze Placement: Gauze is placed to control bleeding and help a blood clot form.

4. Sinus Lift

The sinus lift procedure increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw, specifically in the area of the molars and premolars. This surgery is often necessary when there is insufficient bone height in the upper jaw, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw to allow for the placement of dental implants.

In which situations might I need a sinus lift?

The sinus lift might be required in the following situations:

  • Dental Implants: To successfully place dental implants in the upper jaw, a certain amount of bone is necessary to secure the implant. If there is not enough bone, a sinus lift can create the necessary foundation.
  • Bone Loss: Over time, the upper jawbone can lose density and height due to tooth loss, periodontal disease, or other factors.

The Sinus Lift Procedure

Preparation: Before the procedure, a thorough examination, including X-rays or three-dimensional CT scans, will be carried out by our specialists to assess the anatomy of your jaw and sinuses. This helps plan the surgery and determine the amount of bone graft material needed.

5. Gum Correction Surgery

Gum correction, also known as gum reshaping, gum contouring or periodontal surgery, describes a range of procedures designed for functionality, health and appearance of the gums.

In which situations might I need gum correction surgery?

Gum correction surgery might be required in the following situations:

  • Gummy Smile: Correcting a gummy smile, uneven gum lines, or other cosmetic issues can significantly enhance and improve the appearance of your smile.
  • Periodontal Disease: If you are diagnosed with gum disease and it has reached a point where non-surgical treatments will be ineffective, surgical intervention is required to reduce pocket depth, remove diseased tissue and regenerate healthy tissue.
  • Gum Recession: Gum correction can cover exposed roots, reduce sensitivity, and protect against further recession.
  • Preparatory Procedures: Some restorative dental work, such as crowns or bridges, requires more tooth structure to be exposed. Gum correction can create the necessary conditions for these procedures.

6. Guided Bone Regeneration

Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) is a dental surgical procedure used to promote the growth of new bone in areas with insufficient bone volume.

In which situations might I need Guided Bone Regeneration?

GBR is often necessary in the following situations:

  • Dental Implants: To create sufficient bone volume for the stable placement of dental implants.
  • Sinus Lifts and Ridge Augmentation: To enhance bone volume in preparation for other surgical procedures like ridge augmentation or sinus lifts
  • Bone Loss: To regenerate bone lost due to periodontal disease, trauma, or tooth extraction.

This article covers the most common types of dental surgery. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms described in this article, please feel free to make an appointment with one of our specialists, regardless of whether you are registered with Lassus Tandartsen or not, we’ll be happy to help you.