Often, when a dentist mentions dental surgery, it is met with fear or even panic from their patients. Many imagine a painful, expensive procedure with a long, difficult recovery.

What many patients don’t realize is that dental surgery is very common and includes procedures that address oral health problems that many people will face in their lifetimes. For most, dental surgery will be an outpatient procedure, and patients can generally resume regular activity within a few days.

The most common types of dental surgery are procedures that many people may not even consider dental surgery because they are so routine — such as orthodonture work or teeth whitening.