After you have served your country and have had shrapnel removed from your jaw, mouth and face, there may still be some bits lurking about. This is a common occurrence because medical triage in a war zone is not always the best. Visiting a dentist for the first time after your wounds have healed is a good idea because the panoramic x-rays he or she takes will reveal war debris that is still present. Your dentist will recommend more surgery by specialists like Periodontal Specialists for the following reasons.
Remaining Shrapnel Causes Future Infections
In a war zone there is not time to call a dentist or a maxillofacial surgeon to the operating table to pull out every last bit of metal and debris from wounds. The surgeons that worked on you there before they sent you home removed everything they could and then stitched you up for transport stateside. Whatever is left behind may cause future infections or sit and fester in your gums. When your dentist says you should have gum surgery to remove the debris he sees in your x-rays, he is trying to protect your oral and physical health.
Gum Surgery Can Help Repair Damages
When your dentist sees that there is a lot of damage to your teeth and gums, he or she can help repair and/or replace the tissues and teeth. The damaged tissues are carefully examined, the dentist cuts away any dead or dying tissues, and applies grafting mesh to cover spaces where the tissues are too far apart to stitch together. Damaged teeth are replaced with implants, so long as there is enough gum tissue to stitch around the implants.
Advanced Maxillofacial Surgery
Your dentist not only removes shrapnel that could be a problem later, but helps restore your smile and your ability to talk and chew again. If the muscles that connect your jaw to your face received injury in battle, your dentist can and will refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon. This special type of dental surgeon not only does gum surgery and tooth repair, but also lower facial muscle repair to help you lead a more normal life again.
Your Services Are Covered
Because you are a war veteran, your dental services and surgery should be covered by your military benefits package. If there is anything that is not covered, there are many dentists and oral surgeons who provide free or low-cost services to military men and women. Regardless of the extent of dental work you need, there is someone who can help.
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