Minor surgical procedures

Beyond routine check-ups and basic restorative work, modern dentistry encompasses a range of minor surgical procedures that are essential for addressing specific oral health issues, preventing complications, or preparing the mouth for other dental treatments. These procedures, typically performed in-office under local anesthesia, are designed to be minimally invasive, ensuring patient comfort and efficient recovery. While the term "surgery" might sound daunting, these are common, well-controlled interventions performed by experienced dental professionals to improve overall oral health and prepare for more comprehensive restorative or orthodontic treatments.

One common minor surgical procedure is gingivectomy, or gum recontouring. This procedure involves the removal of excess gum tissue. It is often performed for cosmetic reasons, to correct a "gummy smile" where too much gum tissue covers the teeth, making them appear short. It can also be done for therapeutic reasons, such as to eliminate gum pockets that are difficult to clean and can harbor bacteria, contributing to periodontal disease. By reshaping the gum line, it creates a more aesthetically pleasing smile and improves gum health.

Another significant minor surgical procedure is frenectomy. A frenum is a small fold of tissue that connects two parts, such as the lip to the gum (labial frenum) or the tongue to the floor of the mouth (lingual frenum). If a frenum is too short, thick, or attached too high, it can cause various problems. A tight labial frenum between the front upper teeth can create a gap (diastema) that prevents them from coming together naturally or can pull on the gum tissue, leading to gum recession. A short lingual frenum, often called "tongue-tie," can restrict tongue movement, affecting speech (lisp), breastfeeding in infants, and oral hygiene. A frenectomy, a simple procedure to release or remove the frenum, can resolve these issues, improving speech, facilitating orthodontic treatment, or preventing gum recession.

Alveoloplasty is another common minor surgical procedure, particularly performed after tooth extractions. After a tooth is removed, the bone that surrounded it may have sharp edges or irregularities. Alveoloplasty involves carefully reshaping and smoothing the jawbone ridge to create a more even and comfortable surface. This is often necessary to prepare the mouth for dentures, ensuring a better fit and preventing sore spots. It can also be performed to prepare the jaw for dental implants or simply to improve the contour of the jawbone after a traumatic injury.

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth is arguably the most common minor surgical procedure in oral surgery. As discussed previously, wisdom teeth often erupt improperly or become trapped (impacted) within the jawbone, leading to pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth. Surgical extraction involves making an incision in the gum tissue, and sometimes removing a small amount of bone, to access and remove the impacted tooth. This procedure alleviates immediate discomfort and prevents future complications.

Other minor surgical procedures might include biopsies for suspicious oral lesions (to determine if they are benign or malignant), apicoectomy (a procedure performed when a root canal treatment isn't sufficient to heal an infection at the tip of the tooth root), or the placement of bone grafts in small areas to prepare for dental implant placement where bone volume is insufficient. All these procedures are performed with meticulous care, focusing on precision, sterility, and patient comfort. Our dental team ensures that you are fully informed about the procedure, potential risks, and post-operative care, empowering you to make confident decisions about your oral health and recovery.