Dental Surgery in Delhi, India

If you meet the following conditions, you may be considered a good candidate for dental surgery:

• Healthy teeth and gums
• High bone density
• Have missing teeth
• Tooth decay
• Infection in gums or teeth
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• Impacted teeth
• Badly broken teeth

The following reasons may not make you a good candidate for dental surgery:

• Smoking or using other tobacco products
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• Radiation treatment for cancer
• Liver disease
• Impaired immune system
• History of bacterial endocarditis
• Bleeding disorder, anaemia or any other chronic illness

Preparing for dental surgery is similar to any other major surgery. Consult with your doctor to know all the aspects of the surgery, including procedure details, potential risks and benefits. You will be advised to avoid alcohol or smoking before the surgery, as it can hinder the process of healing. Your doctor will also ask about your allergies or family history of bleeding disorders.

The doctor may also prescribe specific tests like dental X-rays and 3D images to view the condition better. Apart from this, you may be asked to:

• Get medical tests
• Get a physical test
• Stop taking blood-thinning medications
• Not eat or drink for eight to 12 hours before the surgery
• Pre-arrange a ride home after the surgery

Dental surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning that you can go home on the same day of the surgery. The surgery usually is performed under local anaesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Depending on the conditions and symptoms, your doctor may perform the following surgical procedures:

• Root Canal: This is a dental procedure to remove the pulp, the soft centre of the teeth made up of nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels. The surgeon puts a small amount of numbing medications on the gum and makes a small opening in the tooth to expose the infected or damaged pulp. The dentist removes it using special tools known as files and cleans out the canals. The dentist then coats it with antibiotics and a temporary filling.

• Tooth Extraction: The oral surgeon removes the tooth if it is decayed, infected or crowded. During the procedure, the oral surgeon uses local or intravenous anaesthesia. The surgeon then uses an instrument known as an elevator to loosen the tooth and forceps to remove it. In some cases, the oral surgeon will raise the flap, cut bone tissues and use forceps to remove the infected tooth. The surgeon then sutures the incision to close the gum edges.

• Wisdom Tooth Removal: Wisdom teeth are additional molars that appear around age 17 or 20. However, in some cases, the teeth cannot erupt, which causes excessive pain. The wisdom tooth removal is performed under local or general anaesthesia. The oral surgeon then makes an incision and removes the tooth. The surgeon then stitches the extraction site to aid in healing and places gauze over it to control bleeding.

• Dental Implants: This oral surgery is performed to replace the teeth that have been decayed, infected or missing. The oral surgeon makes a cut to open the gum and expose the bone during the procedure. The surgeon then drills into the bone to place the metal implants, generally made of titanium or zirconium. The metal implant takes around two to six months to be fused with the jawbone. The oral surgeon then attaches a crown to complete the process.

• Periodontal surgery: The surgery is performed to treat periodontitis gum disease. The oral surgeon makes incisions along the gum line during the process, and the tissue is moved away from the teeth. The surgeon then cleans the teeth' roots and flushes away plaque and bacteria. Once done, the surgeon repositions the gum tissue and sutures it back to its place.

• Dental bone graft: Dental bone graft is done to increase the amount of bone in the jaw. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the gum to separate it from the bone. The surgeon then places the bone graft between the bone sections that need to grow together. The graft is secured with a dissolvable adhesive material, and the incision is stitched to aid healing.

Like any other surgery, dental surgery also comes with its share of risks and complications. You may experience some mild bleeding or numbness just after the surgery. Other complications may include:

• Swelling in jaw
• Dry socket
• Infection
• Damage to teeth
• Nerve damage
• Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
• Pain
• Minor bleeding
• Sinus problems

Recovery from dental surgery usually takes a few days. However, in some cases, like dental bone grafts, the recovery period may be longer. Your oral surgeon will provide special post-operative instructions to promote proper healing and prevent any complications. The doctor may suggest:

• Taking adequate rest after the surgery
• Applying ice to reduce swelling
• Taking pain medications as instructed
• Using a gauze pad over the affected to reduce bleeding and aid in clot formation
• Don't use a straw for the first 24 hours
• Don't smoke or drink alcohol for a few days
• Eat soft foods
• Don't rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after the surgery
• Taking vitamin A and vitamin C supplements
• Drinking green tea to boost immunity and antioxidant levels
• Following up with the doctor regularly