Oral Surgery
Port Angeles, WA
Oral Surgery provided by Stephen J. Turella, DMD
in Port Angeles, WA at Turella Oral Surgery
As the practice of dentistry has advanced, its experts have rightly acknowledged the importance of creating specialized fields. Specialization improves the quality of care and allows the public access to the specific services they need.
It is very difficult for dentists to do so many different things and perform these tasks well. Other fields of science and medicine have their respective areas of specialization, and dentistry is no exception.
Oral maxillofacial surgeons specialize in surgery within dentistry. Dr. Turella is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon serving the Port Angeles, WA area at Turella Oral Surgery.
What Is Oral Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery are specialized forms of surgery. Oral surgery is performed on the mouth, gums, and teeth, while maxillofacial surgery deals with the jaw, face, and head.
Most people don't understand oral surgery, and just hearing the term makes some people feel uncomfortable. However, most oral surgery procedures are commonplace within the medical world.
They address problems experienced by most people, like tooth loss, wisdom tooth extractions, and getting dental implants. Even though patients have their own individualized diagnoses and procedures, most people can go back to everyday activities and work just a few days after their appointment.
Oral Surgery Procedures
Oral surgery procedures that we perform here at Turella Oral Surgery include: wisdom teeth removal, tooth extractions, full mouth reconstruction, dental implants, bone grafting, and platelet rich plasma.
All of these oral surgery procedures can benefit the health of your gums, teeth, and mouth.
We also deal with dental trauma. Dental trauma might be any number of serious conditions or injuries that suddenly occur. Most dental traumas affect the teeth or are otherwise physical in nature. These include lacerations, broken or fractured bones, and bruises.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth extraction is one of our most frequently performed procedures. They can potentially cause problems with the back row of both upper and lower teeth if they do not extrude through the gum line correctly.
Tooth Extractions
When a patient experiences periodontal disease or trauma to the face or mouth, extraction may be necessary. Other dental procedures will first be attempted before tooth extraction is recommended. We always try to save your tooth first before removing it.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Often any type of dental treatment we offer which will affect all of the teeth inside your mouth will be considered a full mouth reconstruction. Our dentists may choose to do a full mouth reconstruction when there is considerable damage and decay in the mouth of our patient. This could include missing numerous teeth, having several teeth with large fillings, decayed and cracked teeth, or teeth that are worn out from teeth grinding.
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery, is a procedure that aligns a person's upper and lower jaws. It is an alternative corrective surgery performed when orthodontic care doesn't work, and jaw problems persist.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the latest option available for replacing missing teeth. They have also quickly become one of the most popular options. They consist of small titanium rods that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Implants rely on a process known as osseointegration, which is the fusion of your jawbone with the rods. This occurs while you heal. Successful fusion essentially turns the implants into roots that support your replacement teeth. Implants are highly customizable. They can be used to replace any number of missing teeth.
Bone Grafting
Taking bone tissue from a healthy part of the patient's body, bone grafts are applied to the affected area which promotes healing and bone growth once it becomes bonded with the existing bone structure. This will improve and strengthen the bone and give it more mass to support dental appliances.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a simple, straightforward process. On the day of your surgery, we draw a small sample of your blood right in the office. This sample is placed inside of a centrifuge. This machine spins your blood around rapidly, which separates the components of your blood, including the platelets. We then take the portion of the sample where the platelets concentrate. Once your procedure is complete, the PRP is applied to the surgical wounds. In addition to acting as a biological bandage, sealing the wounds from bacteria and other debris in your mouth, PRP goes to work helping to form clots and generate new tissue.
Oral Pathology
There are several reasons our team may insist on performing an oral pathology procedure. While tooth decay and periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, are the two most common oral health issues, several other conditions can affect your mouth. The most common types of diseases that require oral pathology involve lesions or ulcers in the mouth. Most of these issues, once identified, can be treated by our team. Most are even preventable in the future with the correct oral care routine. Our goal is to help you establish an oral care routine to prevent these types of problems in the future.
 What is the Procedure for Oral Surgery?
If you are scheduled for an oral surgical procedure, we will thoroughly inform you about the specifics long before we begin.
That involves making arrangements for transportation, getting you up to speed on recovery care, and explaining the medications you'll need to take, if any.
If you require general anesthesia, we will likely tell you not to consume any food or drinks beginning the night before the procedure. For that reason, we try to schedule such surgeries in the morning, minimizing the ache from hunger and thirst.
General anesthesia generally leaves a patient unable to drive for a time so we may tell you to find a friend or relative who can drive you to and from our office.
Once you get to the procedure room, present all of your pressing questions to the oral surgeon. We will explain everything for you and might present you with a sedative or pain medication if you have not fallen asleep during the surgery.
What Is the Recovery Period Like?
Depending on your condition and what kind of surgery you underwent, you may have to take a few days off of work, avoid overexerting yourself, take certain pain medications or antibiotics for a while, and avoid some kinds of food and drink. Our surgeon will tell you the length and limitations of your healing period.
How Will I Feel After Oral Surgery?
Dental surgeries cover everything from tooth extractions and root canals to gum operations and implantations.
After your oral surgery, it's possible to experience pain, bleeding, and swelling. Don't worry; medicine is provided to help with discomfort, so rest assured that the recovery process will be on course for a steady improvement all around.
Is Sedation an Option?
Sedation options are available at Turella Oral Surgery.
For example, nitrous oxide is a unique dental sedation option that puts you in the driver's seat after your procedure.
If this method doesn't fit your needs, oral sedation might be right for you. This alternative uses pill form to provide fast and efficient relief from anxiety during treatments.
Schedule a Consultation with your Oral Surgeon in Port Angeles, WA
If you don't have an oral surgeon, we can help you find one that fits your needs. We can schedule you for a consultation and answer any questions you may have about insurance and cost. We are more than able to accommodate weekend and evening hours for this conversation. For more information, please contact our Turella Oral Surgery office in Port Angeles, WA at (360) 912-8244. |
