Dentists provide preventive and comprehensive care to guide patients toward dental health goals. These professionals recognize patients’ treatment needs and understand that specialist referrals will be necessary for non-routine procedures outside their scope, including oral surgical treatment.
When questioning do you need a referral for your specific circumstances, the general dental practitioner in Wollongong will perform a screening and exam to see if a referral is warranted. The dentist prioritizes patient well-being when deciding to refer one to a specialist.
These providers collaborate with oral surgical specialists to ensure good oral health is successfully restored. Dental specialists undergo additional education and specialized training beyond general dentistry to focus on distinct areas in the field.
They work closely with primary dentists to resolve complex cases through comprehensive treatment plans and offer patients convenient schedules for the least hassle and minimal stress.
Referral To an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Routine dental care and exams are simple and straightforward processes in Wollongong, and patients can make an appointment at their convenience. Unlike routine care, seeking a specialist, such as an oral surgeon, for more complex issues often requires your primary practitioner to provide a referral.
The general dentist will be the first to recognize concerns and, in some cases, patients ask for more intensive dental intervention. These referrals are essential to ensure you receive targeted attention for the distinct area of concern.
These professionals coordinate an effective treatment plan to enhance the quality of patient experience. Visit When Should Dentists Refer a Patient? – for tips on how and when to refer to a specialist.
Some reasons your primary dentist may refer you to a specialized oral surgeon include the following:
Extracting Wisdom Teeth
The most common oral surgical procedure is wisdom tooth extraction. The average human jaw has little space to accommodate all its teeth, making it necessary to extract wisdom teeth. These are molars that push through the gum even if there’s no space for them in the jaw.
Other teeth then become misaligned, adversely impacting the patient’s bite. Crowding in the jaw can put patients at risk of periodontal disease. The term “wisdom” is used in conjunction with these teeth because they tend to create problems when patients mature beyond the age of permanent teeth coming in.
Impacted Teeth
Usually, an impacted tooth is unable to break through due to another tooth blocking the area. Many times, these don’t produce symptoms, but if they do cause discomfort or pain, an oral surgeon will remove them. This involves cutting the tooth into pieces after cutting through the bone.
In some cases, impacted teeth partially break through; however, they are at high risk for decay because they are difficult to maintain. The gum surrounding the tooth is also more susceptible to disease.
Dental Implants
These prosthetic teeth replace lost or irreparably damaged teeth. When placing an implant, the surgeon first inserts a post in the jawbone, followed by the implant’s anchor and crown. Implants are a long-lasting solution that requires comparable care to a natural tooth.
That includes standard brushing and flossing and seeing the primary dental provider for routine checkups.
TMJ – Temporomandibular Joint Disease
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disease, can cause severe jaw pain and make eating or speaking challenging.
A specialized oral surgeon repairs the issue with a few solutions:
- Arthroscopy: This procedure involves drilling hole (s) in the targeted area above the temporomandibular joint. The surgeon will either remove scar tissue or reshape the joint using mini surgical tools and an arthroscope.
- Arthrocentesis: A fluid is injected into the jaw joint to flush debris causing inflammation. This outpatient procedure helps to improve joint range of motion.
- Open joint surgery: An incision is made above the joint to remove unwanted tissue and bone spurs.
Sleep Apnea
Oral surgery is integral in correcting structural issues that lead to sleep apnea. The patient wakes up frequently during the night after their breathing stops while sleeping. Most dentists recommend conservative treatment, but in some cases, surgery is the best solution. These include:
- RFVTR – Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction: The muscles and other tissues are cauterized with the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and throat.
- UPPP – Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: Tissue in the uvula and soft palate is trimmed to help the patient breathe easier. Sometimes, the tonsils are removed in this process.
- Genioglossus Advancement: The bone the tongue is attached to is moved forward to push the tongue forward, allowing extra space for breathing.
- Palatal implants: Fiber rods are inserted into the soft palate for a clear airway.
Final Thought
General dentists aim for the most conservative treatment but recognize when specialized care is warranted. In these cases, the Wollongong dental practitioner will provide you with a referral to a specialist, such as an oral surgeon, for further intervention. Together, these providers strive to restore optimal oral health.