Plainfield Oral Surgeon

Your regular oral health needs are typically overseen by a dentist. Your dentist can help with nonsurgical tooth fittings, cleanings, and even diagnoses. Think of them as your everyday oral hygiene doctor who helps with preventative cleaning measures. However, if you are in need of a more comprehensive surgery, they will recommend you to a specialized oral surgeon. 

Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a specialized doctor with at least four years of surgical training and residency in an accredited hospital. They are there to help with oral extremities that cannot be taken care of with cleaning, as well as facial surgeries related to the jaw, sinus, and mouth. If you are looking for a reliable oral surgeon in Plainfield, New Jersey, contact Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group today for a free consultation. 

What Does an Oral Surgeon Do? 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the only dentists who participate in a four-year accredited residency program after dental school. They will train alongside other medical students, learning about general surgery, anesthesiology, plastic surgery, and emergency medicine. This training allows them to properly diagnose and perform surgery on their main focus area: the hard and soft tissue of the face, mouth, and jaws. 

An oral surgeon differs from your local dentist in that they do not do any cleanings or preventative treatments. Instead, their focus is the diagnosis and treatment of functional and aesthetic issues in their target areas. The surgeon is also allowed to specialize in an area, which commonly takes a two-year fellowship. Typical specialties include cosmetic face surgery, head and neck cancer, craniomaxillofacial trauma, and craniofacial pediatrics. 

Conditions an Oral Surgeon Can Treat

This area of expertise and extensive training allows for your oral and maxillofacial surgeon to conduct a variety of surgeries. These range from aesthetic treatments, such as cleft palate treatments or cheek implants, to functional treatments, like bone grafts, tooth implants, or corrective jaw surgery. Additional conditions an oral surgeon can help treat include the following: 

Wisdom Teeth 

Your wisdom teeth are the final set of teeth to develop and can pierce the gums. They can emerge as late in life as your twenties and often by then, there is no room left in your mouth. If your jaw is large enough, your wisdom teeth may not have to be removed, as they should not provide any discomfort or future pains. However, if your jaw does not have enough room for the teeth to fully emerge, they can become impacted under the gums. 

Impacted teeth are almost impossible to clean or properly take care of. This can lead to a variety of problems, from tooth decay, gum disease, or even nerve damage in the jaw. An oral surgeon typically recommends the removal of your wisdom teeth before emergence to fully avoid any possible issues and ensure proper healing time. 

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be biopsied and diagnosed at Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group. Our office recommends doing an at-home check at least monthly, which includes looking out for the following symptoms: 

• White or red patches inside the mouth
• An abnormal lump
• Chronic sore throat
• Prolonged difficulty chewing or swallowing

Your oral surgeon is qualified to help diagnose and recommend the next steps for any possible treatments. 

Bone Grafts

A bone graft is a regenerative surgery used to help recreate the bone in your face and jaw. Gum diseases like periodontitis can wither away the bone in your jaw, making your teeth lose. A bone graft is used to increase the volume and width of your jawline, so your teeth have a stronger base. This is also done before tooth implants or after tooth extraction. 

Cleft Palate 

Cleft palate and lip is a common problems for many people. It is a direct result of the mouth or nasal cavity not fully developing in the womb, and the split in the lip or roof of the mouth can cause problems with breathing, eating, and speech. An oral surgeon can fix this through a series of treatments. 

Schedule a Consultation With a Plainfield, NJ Oral Surgeon Today

Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group is here to help with your oral or maxillofacial needs. We know how important oral hygiene and dental care can be for your self-confidence and quality of life. Our people-first approach reflects exactly that, as your comfort and health are our doctors’ top priorities. In order to keep that promise, we offer the latest technologies and a variety of painless procedure options. 

Dr. Nancy Herbst is constantly using the newest instruments available to allow for the easiest and most painless procedures possible. We also recognize how expensive dental care can be in New Jersey, and that is why we will work alongside you to help maximize your insurance reimbursements and get the most cost-effective treatments available. To begin the consultation process today, give our office a call at (908) 585-4990. You can also utilize our online contact form.