Oral surgery may sound daunting, but in many cases, it's the best solution to address serious dental and health issues. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, a damaged tooth, or jaw misalignment, oral surgery can help restore function, alleviate discomfort, and prevent further complications. At Associates in Oral and Implant Surgery in El Paso, Dr. Mark DuVernois and Dr. Scott Marshall are highly skilled in performing a wide range of oral surgeries, from wisdom tooth removal to dental implants and TMJ treatment.
In this blog, we’ll explore five common signs that indicate you may need oral surgery, and when it’s time to consult a specialist.
Do you experience ongoing pain, clicking, or popping in your jaw? These could be signs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a condition that affects the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the jaw, face, and neck, making it difficult to chew, speak, or even open your mouth fully.
If conservative treatments such as physical therapy or nightguards aren’t providing relief, you may need oral surgery to correct the issue. Surgical options, such as arthrocentesis or joint repair, can help reduce pain and restore normal function to the joint.
When to see a specialist: If jaw pain is interfering with your daily activities or worsening over time, schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon. Early intervention can prevent more severe joint damage and improve your quality of life.
Wisdom teeth often need to be removed because they don’t have enough room to properly emerge in the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can become trapped under the gums or bone, leading to pain, infection, swelling, and even damage to neighboring teeth. If left untreated, they can also cause cysts or tumors to develop in the jawbone.
Wisdom tooth extractions are one of the most common types of oral surgery. By removing the impacted teeth before they cause significant problems, you can protect your oral health and prevent future complications.
When to see a specialist: If you’re experiencing pain or swelling in the back of your mouth, or your dentist has told you your wisdom teeth are impacted, it’s time to consult an oral surgeon. Early removal of wisdom teeth can lead to a smoother recovery and fewer complications.
Missing teeth aren’t just a cosmetic issue—they can affect your ability to chew, speak, and maintain proper oral health. Over time, missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw and misalignment of the surrounding teeth. Dental implants offer a permanent, natural-looking solution for missing teeth by replacing both the tooth and its root.
Implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they fuse with the bone to provide a stable foundation for a crown or bridge. This not only restores the appearance of your smile but also helps preserve the structure of your jawbone.
When to see a specialist: If you’re missing one or more teeth, consider dental implants as a permanent replacement option. Schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon to determine if implants are the right solution for you.
When a tooth becomes severely decayed or infected, extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and protect your overall health. In cases where a root canal is not enough to save the tooth, oral surgery may be the only option.
Tooth infections can lead to abscesses—pockets of pus that form in the tissue around the tooth—and can spread to other areas of the body if left untreated. Removing the infected tooth can prevent further damage and alleviate pain.
When to see a specialist: If you have severe tooth pain, swelling, or signs of infection, don’t wait to seek help. Oral surgeons can provide fast relief through tooth extractions or other surgical procedures to stop the infection from spreading.
If you’ve suffered a facial injury, such as a broken jaw or damaged teeth, oral surgery may be required to repair the damage. Injuries from accidents, falls, or sports can result in fractures, misaligned jaws, and lost teeth that require immediate surgical intervention to restore function and aesthetics.
At Associates in Oral and Implant Surgery, we provide expert care for patients who have experienced facial trauma. Our team uses advanced surgical techniques to repair fractures, reposition jaws, and replace missing teeth, ensuring that you recover both function and appearance.
When to see a specialist: If you’ve experienced a facial injury that has resulted in broken bones or teeth, seek immediate medical attention from an oral surgeon. Prompt treatment can prevent complications and improve healing outcomes.
At Associates in Oral and Implant Surgery, Dr. Mark DuVernois and Dr. Scott Marshall are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with extensive experience in treating a wide range of conditions. Our goal is to provide personalized care in a comfortable and supportive environment. Whether you need a simple tooth extraction or a more complex surgical procedure, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure successful outcomes, and we offer a variety of sedation options to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure. With two convenient locations in El Paso, we make it easy for you to get the care you need when you need it.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, it may be time to consult an oral surgeon. Don’t wait until the pain or discomfort becomes unbearable—early intervention can save you from further complications and help you get back to living pain-free.
